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medical outreach events for patients in remote public school in San Bernardino, California. In
areas, but also worked closely with partner Dallas, Texas, volunteers have long supported
organizations to organize major clinic events the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
that could reach thousands of patients each. (BOMLA), where they also provide regular Jing
After disasters including Hurricane Katrina, Si Aphorism classes. In June 2012, BOMLA
flooding in both the Midwest and Bolivia, and Principal Nakia Douglas and four of his students
the major earthquake in Haiti, Tzu Chi medical traveled to Tzu Chi’s spiritual home to volunteer
volunteers from across the United States joined and learn at Hualien Tzu Chi General Hospital
together with disaster relief teams to provide and Tzu Chi’s recycling center in Sanchong.
services when and where they were needed Their experiences there led to recycling,
most. In doing so, they also sowed the seeds environmental protection, and community
of love on foreign soil by motivating locals volunteerism becoming key components of the
in Bolivia and Haiti to form their own Tzu BOMLA curriculum upon their return.
Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Since 2007, eight Jing Si Books & Café
chapters to serve their local communities. locations have opened their doors in five states.
In addition to roving medical vans Inside a calming, serene atmosphere, one can
delivering care to far-flung communities, find spiritually enriching materials, including
Northern California volunteers began holding Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s books in several
weekly dental services in Milpitas in 2013, languages as well as innovative products and
while additional permanent clinic facilities were all-natural foods developed by the nuns of the
established in Southern California to better Jing Si Abode. In December 2012, EcoVerse:
provide low-cost, high-quality services to the Jing Si Books & Café opened in downtown
community. Following changes to the national San Diego. It combines the serene Jing Si
healthcare law, Buddhist Tzu Chi Free Clinic in atmosphere with a community center hosting
Alhambra became Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical presentations, workshops, and discussions on
Center in 2013. living an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Tzu Chi opened its first school in the United After the major earthquake hit Haiti
States in 2006. As of 2014, there are now a total on January 12, 2010, Tzu Chi's first monthly
of five Tzu Chi Great Love schools in operation e-newsletter was sent out at the end of the
in California and Texas. Like the weekly Tzu month to keep volunteers and donors updated
Chi Academy classes, these schools employ on relief efforts. It has been sent every month
bilingual Chinese and English education while since. Beginning in 2012, the Tzu Chi translation
emphasizing character and morals. Since team strengthened their efforts to make Dharma
2007, several Tzu Chi offices have also started Master Cheng Yen’s teachings accessible to
holding community education classes in order English speakers, supplying English subtitles
to provide local residents with lifelong learning to more Da Ai Television programs while also
opportunities and spread the seeds of kindness. translating Master’s books. By April 2014, Jing Si
Since September 2006, volunteers have Publications had published six new books that
held forty-minute Character Education classes present the Tzu Chi spirit in English.
twice a month at Lytle Creek Elementary, a

8 8 Tzu Chi uSA WiNTER 2014