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Aid That Warms Hearts and Brings Hope

March 1, 2023

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Disaster Relief

For any expecting mother, there’s no shortage of big changes to navigate. But, for Ana Zaragoza, not having a home to welcome her twin babies wasn’t meant to be one of them.

She and her family, including two young boys, live in Planada, CA. It was hit with unprecedented flooding after January storms inundated much of Merced County. With recovery efforts underway – and estimated to cost roughly $70 million – families like Ana’s are forced to suddenly figure out their next steps.

That is, until Tzu Chi USA’s Northwest Region hosted a second round of emergency financial aid distributions, offering families hundreds of dollars in aid per household, but also a shoulder to cry on.

At the distribution, which took place at a makeshift FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at the Merced County Fairgrounds on February 11, 2023, Ana was also presented with a letter of consolation from the founder of Tzu Chi, Dharma Master Cheng Yen. She was taken aback that it wasn’t just written in English. Crying, Ana explained what it meant to her: “it was in Spanish, my language—and what it says is very beautiful.”

See how Tzu Chi volunteers are providing comfort and care to families like Ana’s, who face a difficult path forward after disaster. And, help us be ready to help when disaster strikes at https://donate.tzuchi.us/cause/sanjose.

CREDITS

Directed and edited: Renee Liu
Additional Camera: Kitty Lu
Music Credit: Salt of the Sound - Midwinter, Artlist SLPSTRM - Unspoken Words, Artlist

Related:

California , Engaged Buddhism , Bomb Cyclone , California Storms , Merced , Tzu Chi USA Northwest

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