Tzu Chi Foundation was established in 1966 by Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen on the impecunious east coast of Taiwan. For over 42 years, the foundation has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Taiwan and around the world. From the first 30 members, housewives who saved two cents from their grocery money each day to help the poor, the foundation has grown to over five million members in 45 countries.