Ching-kuei Hsieh

Ching-Kuei HsiehDirector of Department of Religious, Culture and Humanitarian Aid, Tzu Chi Foundation

Ching-Kuei Hsieh, Director, Department of Religious, Culture and Humanitarian Aid

Ching-kuei Hsieh, head of the Tzu Chi Foundation Religion Office, gave a presentation on the Four Great Missions (Charity, Medicine, Education, Culture) being promoted around the world by the Tzu Chi Foundation.President Maduro explained that he was determined to come to Hualien on this trip to personally express gratitude to Dharma Master Cheng Yen and all the Tzu Chi volunteers for lending a helping hand during his people's time of desperate need.He emphasized that a leader must carry sincere and earnest resolve for serving the people.

Hsieh Ching-Kuei of Tzu Chi Foundation named a national exemplary employee in Taiwan
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Hsieh Ching-kuei, director of the Tzu Chi Department of Religious Affairs, was recognized as a national exemplary employee at the Presidential Office in Taipei.Hsieh, who has a great deal of experience in international disaster relief, said the award surprised him.With his volunteering spirit, he views his work as a means of achieving his ideals.

Involvement in Tzu Chi

A graduate of the National Taiwan University law school, Hsieh was once a successful stockbroker and esteemed financial consultant.When he happened to hear a speech by Master Cheng Yen, he began to search for the meaning of life.Hoping to do compassionate deeds, he became a Tzu Chi volunteer.

After trying to get permission from his family for five years, he eventually quit his consulting job to become a fulltime Tzu Chi employee.At age 36, he began to fully devote his life to Tzu Chi and fulfill his dream of "going to the poorest corners of the world to help the people who are most in need."

Selfless devotion to international relief

Privately known as the "Relief Prince" to other volunteers, Hsieh has been to all five continents during his six years of service in Tzu Chi.When tsunamis assaulted Papua New Guinea, he personally delivered relief materials to victims.In hurricane-plagued Central America, he warmed newborn babies with clothes shipped from Taiwan.

During the September 1999 earthquake in Taiwan, he remained at his post in Turkey to build Great Love houses for Turkish earthquake victims.After the 2001 earthquake in El Salvador, he continued to support and care for survivors there for over two months.

Gratitude towards life

Having seen suffering in numerous lands, Hsieh realizes that in an impermanent world, life is both fragile and precious.People should seize every opportunity to do all they can to help others.

With experience in countless relief missions, Hsieh has become more mindful of his own behavior.Knowing that someone in the world dies from hunger every 3.6 seconds, he is ever so grateful for having a bowl of rice to eat.Having been to places where clean water is several hours away, he cherishes the running water from the faucet so much more.

Hsieh Ching-kuei, Deputy Director of the Tzu Chi Department of Religious Affairs, visited refugee camps in southwest Afghanistan in November.He reported that 750,000 people lived in destitution caused by civil war and drought.