2018/03/22����Tzu Chi West Toronto��

The hygiene packs include tooth brush, tooth paste and soap, necessities that can help the families stay healthy.March 22, 1993 was designated by the United Nations to be the first annual World Water Day, an internationally-recognized day that serves as a reminder to protect this vital resource, and an opportunity to promote responsible management of global water supply.��

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On this year's World Water Day, twelve volunteers from Tzu Chi West Toronto gave four hours of their time to help GlobalMedic bring clean water to Syrian refugees living in Turkey and the Yemeni population suffering from a recent cholera outbreak. Having collaborated with GlobalMedic for many years, Tzu Chi volunteers were already familiar with the assembly process and jumped in with no hesitation, working with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. Being assembled that day were packages that included a family hygiene kit���4 adult toothbrushes, 2 children���s toothbrushes, 3 tubes of toothpaste, and 4 bars of soaps���and a water purification unit, which would give recipients the ability to filter dirty water into clean drinking water.��

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Theresa Liao, Director of Tzu Chi West Toronto Office, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to take action on World Water Day. ���Today, billions of people around the world still live without proper access to safe fresh water, especially those in war-torn countries. Although we cannot physically go to Yemen or Syria to help these people, our volunteers are sending them our love and well-wishes through long distance support.�����

Volunteer Shu Lee and her husband Rongqing Guo did not miss out on the opportunity to give back, despite having just returned from Taiwan the previous day. Shu said that although the time difference was getting to her, she was very happy to work for such a meaningful cause. The assembly line for packing these kits required the volunteers to pick up items from different parts of the warehouse; as she moved along the assembly line, Shu repeated Buddha���s name in her heart, imbuing the packages with Buddha���s blessings to give to the people overseas.

Volunteers form production lines so packing can be done smoothly.��Volunteers Shu Lee and Rongqing Guo only returned from Taiwan on the previous day. Despite being tired from jet lag, the compassionate couple step up to the tasks to help others who are in need.

Volunteers separate garbage from items that can be recycled, helping to protect the environment when packing things up.��Volunteers from Tzu Chi and GlobalMedic form two production lines, one to pack personal hygiene products and the other to package the water purification units.