March 21, 2024
Tzu Chi holds bazaar in San Mateo, Rizal
By Dorothy Castro
Families visited Tzu Chi Foundation’s bazaar at the Sta. Ana covered court in San Mateo, Rizal last March 16. Tzu Chi volunteers and scholars went to the venue early in the morning of Saturday to prepare the goods for sale.
Amy Fumera, a 65-year-old Tzu Chi volunteer, saw the residents’ excitement as they prepared for the bazaar. “We had many customers. People wanted to enter the bazaar while we were still closed. I just asked them for a little more time while we prepare for the bazaar, and they could check out the bazaar in a few minutes,” she said.
Many residents of San Mateo were eager to check out the variety of goods that Tzu Chi Foundation had to offer. “There were clothes, necessities for the home, toys. There were a lot of things; there was even a TV,” Amy said. From food items to toiletries, residents of all ages enjoyed rummaging through the products.
Anabelle Alfuen bought many items from the bazaar. She bought a stationary bike for her child. “The other items are for our house, as well as things for school,” Anabelle said. For her, it was an enjoyable time, as “there were many items to choose from at an affordable price.”
Amy greatly hoped for this bazaar to come into fruition. “I wanted an opportunity for us to have a bazaar here, so that we could bring Tzu Chi Foundation closer to the people,” she said. This was her first time organizing a bazaar for San Mateo and she was thankful to have successfully conquered challenges with fellow volunteers.
For Ma. Vera Clarisse J. Santos, a 22-year-old Tzu Chi scholar, it was exciting to be able to do what she loved, as she participated in the bazaar’s clothing section. “I’m happy to see people like me who enjoy going to bazaars.”
This was also the first time Vera participated in community service as a Tzu Chi scholar. A student with a positive outlook in life, she aimed to give back to Tzu Chi Foundation who witnessed her growth in her studies as a psychology student. “I want to help Tzu Chi Foundation and give back to the donors who give us the help we need as scholars.”
Vera’s motivation is that her hard work as a volunteer in this event would open greater opportunities for scholars like her, supported by Tzu Chi Foundation. For her, it was also an opportunity “to learn that there are things that require effort and time, because not everything we want can be achieved easily. We need to work hard, so that we can earn.”
The success of this bazaar was not an easy road to take, Amy admitted, but she knew that working together as a team of volunteers and scholars was key to a successful bazaar. “It is in this opportunity that we can assess how we work as a community,” she said.
Reflecting on her participation, she recalled her motivation and love for volunteering at Tzu Chi, saying that “as a Tzu Chi volunteer, we really have to persevere. We have to work hard towards what we promised as a volunteer.”
A Tzu Chi scholar unpacks boxes of toys for the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Colorful sneakers and school shoes were a hit with San Mateo’s bazaar shoppers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A mother helps her son choose toys during the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A customer surveys bazaar items with the help of a Tzu Chi volunteer. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Bags are a hot item among the bazaar’s shoppers. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A customer enjoys rummaging through different home items sold during the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Done with his shopping, a man shows his choices to a Tzu Chi volunteer at the bazaar’s check-out area. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Shoppers check out different children’s books and school supplies. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A customer inspects a bag inside and out before buying. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A Tzu Chi scholar assists a customer at the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Customers look at the different clothes for sale during the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A customer purchases different home and kitchen items during the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Amy Fumera, a 65-year-old Tzu Chi volunteer, finds joy in her role. “As a Tzu Chi volunteer, we really have to persevere. We have to work hard towards what we promised as a volunteer.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Ma. Vera Clarisse Santos, a 22-year-old Tzu Chi Scholar, finds an opportunity for growth as she participates in the bazaar. “This activity is very important in helping us towards the future, when we are already working.” 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi scholar Ma. Vera Clarisse Santos was assigned to the clothing section of the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Customer Anabelle Alfuen chose mostly home items from the bazaar. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】