慈济洛杉矶志工为塞拉利昂孤儿院装柜援助物资，“耶诞送爱”跨越大洋
圣诞节前夕，慈济美国洛杉矶的志工们响应“耶诞送爱·塞拉利昂”行动，在洛杉矶将募集到的儿童服装、医疗用品、缝纫机等物资装柜，运往非洲塞拉利昂当地一家孤儿院。据大愛新聞报道，此次共募集到近半个货柜的物资，志工们冒着高温天气完成装柜，希望把这份满载爱心的货物送过大洋。
据大愛新聞报道，整柜物资包括医疗必需品、全新儿童服装和玩具，以及帮助当地妇女谋生的生产工具。其中较为特别的，是由希傅之家（Xifu House）提供的四台专业缝纫机、数台家用缝纫机和一批布料。志工夏济环介绍，缝纫机和布料是当地妇女赖以为生的工具，这次援助不仅是赠予，更希望从“授人以鱼”走向“授人以渔”，让受助者靠自己的双手改善生活。
负责承运货柜的货运公司负责人也到场一起帮忙。货运公司经理朱立敏说，自己的孩子就在慈济学校读书：“我觉得不管这一单怎么样，我也希望来尽一份力量。因为慈济在我孩子教育成长方面给了我很多，作为一个成年人，我应该做我力所能及的。”
一批慈济青少年志工承担了贴标签的工作。青少年志工于子琪说，这次体验让她真正意识到自己有多幸运、拥有这么多优势和资源，也知道了世界上还有很多和她不一样的人。陪同参与的家长魏锦华说，她从这次行动中学到了感恩与分享，“尽我的一份力，帮助很多人。”
装柜当天，洛杉矶气温超过华氏100度。志工陈敬典说：“许多志工依然保持这种热情和使命感为大家服务。不管天气多热，大家都很开心地做着工作。”她说，想到地球另一端的一群孩子和妇女会因为这份礼物而感到喜悦，心里就感到安宁和清凉。（来源：大愛新聞10月11日报道）
Tzu Chi Los Angeles Volunteers Pack Aid Container for Sierra Leone Orphanage in Holiday Giving Campaign
Ahead of Christmas, Tzu Chi volunteers in Los Angeles responded to the "Sending Love to Sierra Leone" campaign, packing donated children's clothing, medical supplies and sewing machines into a shipping container bound for an orphanage in Sierra Leone, Africa. According to Da Ai News, the effort collected nearly half a container of goods, which volunteers packed in scorching heat to send their love across the ocean.
Da Ai News reports that the full container included essential medical supplies, brand-new children's clothing and toys, and tools to help local women earn a living. Among the more distinctive donations were four professional sewing machines, several household sewing machines and a batch of fabrics provided by Xifu House. Volunteer Xia Jihuan said sewing machines and fabric are tools that local women rely on for their livelihood, and the effort aims to go beyond simply giving, helping recipients improve their lives through their own hands.
The head of the freight company handling the shipment also joined volunteers in the packing work. Freight company manager Zhu Limin said his own child attends a Tzu Chi school: "I thought that no matter what this order is like, I wanted to come and do my part to help. Because Tzu Chi has contributed so much to my child's education and growth, as an adult I should do what I can."
A group of Tzu Chi youth volunteers took charge of labeling the boxes. Youth volunteer Yu Ziqi said the experience made her truly realize how lucky she is to have so many advantages and resources, and that many people in the world are not like her. Parent Wei Jinhua, who joined the effort, said she learned gratitude and sharing from the experience, "doing my part to help many people."
On packing day, Los Angeles temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Volunteer Chen Jingdian said, "Many volunteers still maintained this enthusiasm and sense of mission to serve everyone. No matter how hot the weather was, everyone was happy doing their work." She added that knowing a group of children and women on the other side of the world would feel joy because of this gift, her heart felt at peace and cool. (Source: Da Ai News, October 11 report)
图片来源：图：位于台湾花莲的慈济静思精舍正门——慈济基金会发源地（资料图）。摄影：Video13，CC BY-SA 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
