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gift baskets. In addition, if a family was in need requested Tzu Chi’s assistance in providing food
at other times throughout the year, the school for these families. Through this introduction, a
would notify Tzu Chi. longstanding partnership was born between
Tzu Chi volunteers began a partnership Tzu Chi and several local elementary schools in
with Noble Avenue Elementary School in the low-income communities, which later grew into
North Hills neighborhood of northwestern Los the Happy Campus Program.
Angeles in 2002, through which volunteers After distributing books to schools each
started a monthly tutoring course known year, volunteers would invite principals,
as Everybody Reads to help students falling teachers, and district administrators to Tzu Chi
behind in reading to improve their skills. USA Headquarters for tea, in order to thank
In 2003, Tzu Chi Free Clinic’s mobile them for their partnership and give them an
medical van began regular outreach visits to opportunity to come into contact with Tzu Chi’s
schools throughout Southern California to offer philosophy and Jing Si Aphorism Education.
dental checkups for students and share health During the 2005 appreciation tea party, Vice-
insurance and government aid information with Principal Edwin Gomez of San Bernardino’s
parents and to remind them that they could ask Lytle Creek Elementary expressed that he and
for school help when applying for services. Principal Irma Gastelum had already thoroughly
read the donated copies of Jing Si Aphorisms and
Tzu Chi volunteers in Northern California and agreed with the philosophy contained within.
the Central Valley joined the book distribution Not long after, Principal Gastelum moved to
project in 2004. Through this process, they Bing Wong Elementary, and Mr. Gomez became
also learned about the special needs of several principal at Lytle Creek. Through the hard work
schools, including John Muir Elementary School of volunteer Diana Mu and the Headquarters
in San Francisco, where many students’ families education team, Jing Si Aphorism Education
live well below the poverty line, with some was adopted into Lytle Creek’s curriculum and
even staying in homeless shelters. The school an affinity was formed with Bing Wong.

5 2 Tzu Chi uSA WiNTER 2014