SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Five representatives of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation–St. Maarten have returned home after participating in the 2026 Central and South America Volunteer Training Camp in Mexico, saying they were inspired to strengthen the foundation's humanitarian work on the island.
The delegation, comprising Sai Fong Chu (Sandra) Cheung, Hilda Carrasco, Carolina Garcia, Natacha Marville and Louise Chu, attended the training camp from July 23 to July 29.
They joined Tzu Chi volunteers and commissioners from Taiwan, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Ecuador, Paraguay, Honduras and Nicaragua for six days of learning, humanitarian service and cultural exchange.
The delegation expressed gratitude to Tzu Chi Headquarters for the opportunity to participate in the programme, where they witnessed how compassion is put into action through humanitarian work.
One of the first activities took the delegation to Parroquia de San Sebastián Mártir, a church in Mexico City with a history spanning more than 500 years.
Working with the parish priest, Tzu Chi supports the church's daily food distribution programme for people experiencing homelessness and economic hardship. In addition to providing meals, the foundation renovated the volunteers' kitchen and built bathroom and laundry facilities, allowing people to enjoy a hot meal, shower, wash their clothes and regain a sense of dignity.
The St. Maarten volunteers said one of the most moving experiences was seeing how individuals who had once been homeless gradually regained confidence through the consistent support, encouragement and care provided by volunteers.
The delegation also travelled to Jojutla, Morelos, where they visited one of Tzu Chi's reconstruction projects following the devastating 2017 earthquake.
The project involved rebuilding a Catholic church, convent and school campus in partnership with Catholic sisters. What was once a sugarcane field has been transformed into a new church, school campus and convent, providing a safe environment where education, faith and hope continue to flourish.
The volunteers said the visit demonstrated that Tzu Chi's humanitarian work goes beyond disaster relief by helping communities rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
Throughout the six-day programme, participants from eight countries shared experiences and strengthened their commitment to humanitarian service.
Reflecting on the experience, Commissioner Sai Fong Chu (Sandra) Cheung said: "If it were not for Tzu Chi, I don't think I would ever have had the opportunity to come to Mexico. During this training, I witnessed that compassion truly knows no borders. Although we came from eight different countries, we learned, served, and grew together as one Tzu Chi family. We are returning to St. Maarten inspired to put what we have learned into action and continue serving our community with love and compassion."
The delegation returned to St. Maarten committed to applying what they learned in Mexico to strengthen Tzu Chi's missions of charity, volunteer cultivation, education and community service.
The foundation hopes to continue cultivating compassion and bringing hope to the multicultural communities of St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean.
St. Maarten Commissioner Sai Fong Chu (Sandra) Cheung joins volunteers serving meals at Parroquia de San Sebastián Mártir in Mexico City, where Tzu Chi's outreach programme provides food, bathing and laundry facilities, and compassionate care for people experiencing homelessness.
Representatives from participating countries, including St. Maarten, visit El Instituto Morelos de Jojutla -the rebuilt church, school and convent in Jojutla, Morelos. Tzu Chi partnered with Catholic sisters to rebuild the campus after the devastating 2017 earthquake, creating a safe place where education, faith and hope continue to thrive.
New school campus
