This was a last minute decision by Tzu Chi USA Headquarters. The wild fire in California at that time was burning without control, many people were homeless and in need. We received an email a few days before 28 Oct 07, requesting help in fund raising in Chinatown.
慈济美国总部最后一分钟决定，希望慈济波士顿能为加州大火募款。加利福尼亚州野火当时已无法控制，许多人无家可归，急需帮助。我在十月二十八日的前几天，收到电子邮件，到唐人街募款。
I remember that was a Sunday. Two days before that, Friday, we had our own personal gathering among several Tzu Ching. I asked those present whether they are helping out that coming Sunday. One of them commented that from the news broadcast, the fires are around the suburbs, burning down houses of middle-income families. These families do not seem to be in need of Tzu Chi help. As I have not watch TV for a very long time, I cannot decide on that. But I do remember that I get to know a bit more about Tzu Chi when Tzu Chi volunteers was raising funds on Singapore streets during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake / Tsunami.
记得十月二十八日是礼拜天。两天前，礼拜五，我们几位慈青刚巧有我们自己的聚餐。我问几位慈青他们后天是否有时间一块到唐人街募款。其中一人表示，从新闻联播中，大火都集中在市郊，烧毁的房屋大多数都是中等收入家庭所拥有。这些家庭因该不需要慈济的帮助。我已很久没看电视了，因此不太了解。但我清楚记得，二零零四年印度洋海啸时，慈济人在新加坡街头募款，让我有机会接触以及更了解慈济。
Also, Jin Zhi SG told me a story about helping a rich man who lost all his baggage in the airport. She helped him by giving him some money to contact his families. Her reasoning is: that guy may be rich, but he is helpless at this moment and need other's help. At that instance of space and time, we are more fortunate than him and this is a good reason to help him. Similarly, the families affected by the California wild fires may be able to get money from insurance to rebuild their homes, but that is in the future. Presently, they are in dire need of care, basic necessaries and concern. We are more fortunate compared to them at this very instantaneous period. This is the reason why we should help.
另外，金枝师姑与我分享过一件事：一名生活富裕的男子，在机场遗失了他所有的行李，身无分文。师姑给了他一点钱去联络他的家人，虽然傍人说那男子富裕，不需要帮助。师姑的道理是：那男子富裕，但是在这一刻，他是无助的，而我们是幸福的。这就是一个帮助他的好理由。金枝师姑没有给那男子联络地址，只希望他日后把钱捐给慈善机构。同样地，受加州野火影响的家庭，也许能够从保险公司那得到钱重建自己的家园。不过，这是在未来。目前，他们正需要基本的必需品和照顾。在这个非常时期，比起他们，我们是较幸运的。这就是为什么我们应该帮忙。
That Sunday, I am supposed to meet my friends from the MIT Singapore Students' Society for lunch at Chinatown, followed by grocery shopping for the trial cookout later in the evening, in preparation for our actual Singapore food fest. Hence, I told Judy SJ that I can only help till around 11 plus.
那礼拜天，我跟我麻省理工新加坡学生学会的同学们约好，到唐人街吃中饭，之后买菜。当晚，我们准备下厨，为我们日后的新加坡美食节热身。因此，我告诉小芳师姐，街头募款我只能帮忙到约十一点。
We meet at around 9 in Boston Chinatown. Cai SG separated everybody into groups of three, 1 holding a signboard explaining our mission, 2 holding donation boxes. I was grouped into with Jin Ma Ma and Jennifer SG. It was raining slightly and we were assigned to raise funds outside the door of a supermarket. Jin Ma Ma speaks Cantonese, Jennifer SG speaks Mandarin and I speaks English. Jin Ma Ma and Jennifer SG hold the donation boxes while I hold the signboard and pamphlets (in both Mandarin and English) introducing Tzu Chi.
我们在九点左右在波士顿唐人街集合。蔡师姑把大家分成小组，每组三人，一人手持木牌，解释我们街头募款的原因，另外两人各提着善款箱。我与金妈妈和淑蓉师姑一组。当天正好下着绵绵细雨，我们被分配到一间超级市场的门外劝募。金妈妈说广东话，淑蓉师姑讲华语，我说英语，互相配合。金妈妈和淑蓉师姑各提着善款箱募款，而我亦持着木牌，向大众解说加州大火以及发宣传单（华语和英语）介绍慈济。
Initially it was tough, people ignored us and just walked passed. Later, Cai SG taught us a good way, keep what you want to say short, such that within the 3 to 4 walking steps that people can hear you, they hear everything. If your sentence is long, during the middle of the line, people are already out the hearing range. Furthermore, emphasized that Tzu Chi does not request a lot of money from people, a dollar or whatever coins you have in your pocket will do.
万事起头难，刚开始时，路人都把我们当透明似的，快步走过。后来，蔡师姑与我们分享了个很好的方法：把要说得浓缩成两三句话，最好在路人靠近我们的那三至四步内全讲完。这样他们能听到一切。 如果你的句子太长，讲至一半，路人已经走出了能听到的范围。此外，要强调慈济并没有要求大众捐很多钱，一块钱或你口袋的零碎硬币就行了。
This method works! I keep my line short: "we are raising fund for the California wild fires, a dollar will do". People heard the complete sentence, dig into their pockets, come up with a few dimes or quarters and a good deed is done.
蔡师姑这方法真得管用！我把话浓缩成：“我们正在为加州野火募款，一块钱就行了”。人们听完了整句话，大多会挖挖自己的口袋，掏出几角硬币。就这样，圆了一桩善举。
Jennifer SG told me that this is the first time she raise funds on the street. This is my second time, I raise flag in Singapore during secondary school days. We have to get use to the stares and indifference looks. I greatly admire Cai SG, she will walk right up to people, stop them in their tracks, explain to them our causes and request for donation. The 3 of us can only speak that short sentence to people walking by and explain more in depth only when they stop walking on their own.
淑蓉师姑告诉我，这是她第一次在街头募款。这是我第二次，我在中学时期在街头售过旗。那时，要习惯路人的冷眼旁观。我真得很佩服蔡师姑，她会走到路人面前，令他们停下脚步，向他们解释我们募款的理由，并要求捐款。我们三人只能说那短短的一句话，当他们自己停下脚步时，还向他们做更加深入的解说。
There is a middle-aged lady that walked up to us, holding some currency notes in her hand and told us that she will make a donation if we lent her a cellphone as she need to make a call to locate her family. As Jennifer SG did not bring her cellphone along, I lent her mine. If I was alone, I will not lend her my cellphone, if she just runs away with it, it will be hard for me to go after her.
当时，有一位中年妇女走了过来，手持着些纸币，并告诉我们，她急需要打电话寻找她的家人，如果我们肯借她手机一用，她会乐捐。由于淑蓉师姑身旁没有带手机，我把我手机借了给她。假如我是单独一人在募款，我不会把手机借给她。如果她把腿就跑，我提着木牌或善款箱如何去追她。
The most depressing encounter was when the boss of the restaurant walked up to us and asked us whether we got permit to raise funds on the street or not and tried to chase us away. His restaurant was beside the supermarket and I guess that people holding donation boxes and signboard is not that good for business. I realized later that there is a big anti-war protest in downtown Boston that very same day. That may be why he felt uncomfortable. Even so, that was very rude of him to interrupt us when we were right in the middle of explaining our causes to a group of people. However, we were also partially wrong not to consider the possible negative effects on others. It should be better if we were to raise funds at the corners / intersections of streets instead in the future.
最令人沮丧的遭遇是一家酒楼老板走了过来，向我们询问是否有许可证，能在街头募款，并企图把我们赶走。他的酒楼就在超级市场傍，想必我们提着木牌或善款箱在他酒楼大门口走来走去，对生意不太好。我后来意识到，当天波士顿市中心有个反战抗议活动，这可能是为什么他觉得不自在。但即便如此，他也不因该好几次的不断打断我们与几位路人的谈话。我们不过是在解释慈济街头募款的目的。他的行为，是很没有礼貌的。但是，我们也因该设身处地的为他想想，毕竟生意难做。未来，街头募款最好选择转角处或十字街口。
There are also nice people around. There are several people who thank us when they know that we are helping their fellow citizens. They told us that they too have already sent checks over. There is a nice young man, who did not listen to us carefully when we asked him for donation. He just placed some coins into the donation box and continues walking. A few steps later, when he heard us clearly that we are raising funds for those affected by the California wild fires, he turned back and placed more coins into the donation box. We thanked him and gave him the pamphlet introducing Tzu Chi. 15 minutes later, he returned and ask us who to pronounce "Tzu Chi". He is a black and cannot pronounce "Tzu Chi". I was very touched. Hopefully, we planted a nice thought in his heart and he will join us when the opportunity arises.
当然，还是有善心人士的。有好几人，当他们知道我们正在帮助他们的同胞时，深深地感谢我们，并告知，他们也已经把支票寄出去。有一位年轻人，没有留心听我们解说募款的目的，只是随手放了些硬币入善款箱。几步后，当他听到我们正在为加州野火募款时，他转过身返回来，并投入更多硬币到善款箱。我们表示感恩，并给了他一张介绍慈济的说明纸。没想到，十五分钟后，他走了回来，问我们“慈济”英文名称的发音 。非裔想必不习惯中文的卷舌发音。我十分感动。但愿我们在他的心里种下了慈济的因缘，日后因缘成熟时，他能与我们一起走在菩萨道上。
In general, this is a very fruitful event. Sincere thanks to Yi Shan SG who bought us drinks and help us temporary in order for us to go and buy lunch (I called my friends to tell them to go ahead with lunch and grocery shopping). Thanks to the several Tzu Ching whom we meet on the streets and for their great donation.
总的来说，这是一个非常有意义的活动。真诚地感恩依珊师姑买饮料为我们解渴，并暂时替代我们，好让我们轮流去买午餐（我后来通知朋友们，我无法陪大家一起吃中饭和买菜）。感恩在路上遇见的几位慈青，感恩他们的善款。
Gan En
感恩
慈济美国总部最后一分钟决定，希望慈济波士顿能为加州大火募款。加利福尼亚州野火当时已无法控制，许多人无家可归，急需帮助。我在十月二十八日的前几天，收到电子邮件，到唐人街募款。
I remember that was a Sunday. Two days before that, Friday, we had our own personal gathering among several Tzu Ching. I asked those present whether they are helping out that coming Sunday. One of them commented that from the news broadcast, the fires are around the suburbs, burning down houses of middle-income families. These families do not seem to be in need of Tzu Chi help. As I have not watch TV for a very long time, I cannot decide on that. But I do remember that I get to know a bit more about Tzu Chi when Tzu Chi volunteers was raising funds on Singapore streets during the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake / Tsunami.
记得十月二十八日是礼拜天。两天前，礼拜五，我们几位慈青刚巧有我们自己的聚餐。我问几位慈青他们后天是否有时间一块到唐人街募款。其中一人表示，从新闻联播中，大火都集中在市郊，烧毁的房屋大多数都是中等收入家庭所拥有。这些家庭因该不需要慈济的帮助。我已很久没看电视了，因此不太了解。但我清楚记得，二零零四年印度洋海啸时，慈济人在新加坡街头募款，让我有机会接触以及更了解慈济。
Also, Jin Zhi SG told me a story about helping a rich man who lost all his baggage in the airport. She helped him by giving him some money to contact his families. Her reasoning is: that guy may be rich, but he is helpless at this moment and need other's help. At that instance of space and time, we are more fortunate than him and this is a good reason to help him. Similarly, the families affected by the California wild fires may be able to get money from insurance to rebuild their homes, but that is in the future. Presently, they are in dire need of care, basic necessaries and concern. We are more fortunate compared to them at this very instantaneous period. This is the reason why we should help.
另外，金枝师姑与我分享过一件事：一名生活富裕的男子，在机场遗失了他所有的行李，身无分文。师姑给了他一点钱去联络他的家人，虽然傍人说那男子富裕，不需要帮助。师姑的道理是：那男子富裕，但是在这一刻，他是无助的，而我们是幸福的。这就是一个帮助他的好理由。金枝师姑没有给那男子联络地址，只希望他日后把钱捐给慈善机构。同样地，受加州野火影响的家庭，也许能够从保险公司那得到钱重建自己的家园。不过，这是在未来。目前，他们正需要基本的必需品和照顾。在这个非常时期，比起他们，我们是较幸运的。这就是为什么我们应该帮忙。
That Sunday, I am supposed to meet my friends from the MIT Singapore Students' Society for lunch at Chinatown, followed by grocery shopping for the trial cookout later in the evening, in preparation for our actual Singapore food fest. Hence, I told Judy SJ that I can only help till around 11 plus.
那礼拜天，我跟我麻省理工新加坡学生学会的同学们约好，到唐人街吃中饭，之后买菜。当晚，我们准备下厨，为我们日后的新加坡美食节热身。因此，我告诉小芳师姐，街头募款我只能帮忙到约十一点。
We meet at around 9 in Boston Chinatown. Cai SG separated everybody into groups of three, 1 holding a signboard explaining our mission, 2 holding donation boxes. I was grouped into with Jin Ma Ma and Jennifer SG. It was raining slightly and we were assigned to raise funds outside the door of a supermarket. Jin Ma Ma speaks Cantonese, Jennifer SG speaks Mandarin and I speaks English. Jin Ma Ma and Jennifer SG hold the donation boxes while I hold the signboard and pamphlets (in both Mandarin and English) introducing Tzu Chi.
我们在九点左右在波士顿唐人街集合。蔡师姑把大家分成小组，每组三人，一人手持木牌，解释我们街头募款的原因，另外两人各提着善款箱。我与金妈妈和淑蓉师姑一组。当天正好下着绵绵细雨，我们被分配到一间超级市场的门外劝募。金妈妈说广东话，淑蓉师姑讲华语，我说英语，互相配合。金妈妈和淑蓉师姑各提着善款箱募款，而我亦持着木牌，向大众解说加州大火以及发宣传单（华语和英语）介绍慈济。
Initially it was tough, people ignored us and just walked passed. Later, Cai SG taught us a good way, keep what you want to say short, such that within the 3 to 4 walking steps that people can hear you, they hear everything. If your sentence is long, during the middle of the line, people are already out the hearing range. Furthermore, emphasized that Tzu Chi does not request a lot of money from people, a dollar or whatever coins you have in your pocket will do.
万事起头难，刚开始时，路人都把我们当透明似的，快步走过。后来，蔡师姑与我们分享了个很好的方法：把要说得浓缩成两三句话，最好在路人靠近我们的那三至四步内全讲完。这样他们能听到一切。 如果你的句子太长，讲至一半，路人已经走出了能听到的范围。此外，要强调慈济并没有要求大众捐很多钱，一块钱或你口袋的零碎硬币就行了。
This method works! I keep my line short: "we are raising fund for the California wild fires, a dollar will do". People heard the complete sentence, dig into their pockets, come up with a few dimes or quarters and a good deed is done.
蔡师姑这方法真得管用！我把话浓缩成：“我们正在为加州野火募款，一块钱就行了”。人们听完了整句话，大多会挖挖自己的口袋，掏出几角硬币。就这样，圆了一桩善举。
Jennifer SG told me that this is the first time she raise funds on the street. This is my second time, I raise flag in Singapore during secondary school days. We have to get use to the stares and indifference looks. I greatly admire Cai SG, she will walk right up to people, stop them in their tracks, explain to them our causes and request for donation. The 3 of us can only speak that short sentence to people walking by and explain more in depth only when they stop walking on their own.
淑蓉师姑告诉我，这是她第一次在街头募款。这是我第二次，我在中学时期在街头售过旗。那时，要习惯路人的冷眼旁观。我真得很佩服蔡师姑，她会走到路人面前，令他们停下脚步，向他们解释我们募款的理由，并要求捐款。我们三人只能说那短短的一句话，当他们自己停下脚步时，还向他们做更加深入的解说。
There is a middle-aged lady that walked up to us, holding some currency notes in her hand and told us that she will make a donation if we lent her a cellphone as she need to make a call to locate her family. As Jennifer SG did not bring her cellphone along, I lent her mine. If I was alone, I will not lend her my cellphone, if she just runs away with it, it will be hard for me to go after her.
当时，有一位中年妇女走了过来，手持着些纸币，并告诉我们，她急需要打电话寻找她的家人，如果我们肯借她手机一用，她会乐捐。由于淑蓉师姑身旁没有带手机，我把我手机借了给她。假如我是单独一人在募款，我不会把手机借给她。如果她把腿就跑，我提着木牌或善款箱如何去追她。
The most depressing encounter was when the boss of the restaurant walked up to us and asked us whether we got permit to raise funds on the street or not and tried to chase us away. His restaurant was beside the supermarket and I guess that people holding donation boxes and signboard is not that good for business. I realized later that there is a big anti-war protest in downtown Boston that very same day. That may be why he felt uncomfortable. Even so, that was very rude of him to interrupt us when we were right in the middle of explaining our causes to a group of people. However, we were also partially wrong not to consider the possible negative effects on others. It should be better if we were to raise funds at the corners / intersections of streets instead in the future.
最令人沮丧的遭遇是一家酒楼老板走了过来，向我们询问是否有许可证，能在街头募款，并企图把我们赶走。他的酒楼就在超级市场傍，想必我们提着木牌或善款箱在他酒楼大门口走来走去，对生意不太好。我后来意识到，当天波士顿市中心有个反战抗议活动，这可能是为什么他觉得不自在。但即便如此，他也不因该好几次的不断打断我们与几位路人的谈话。我们不过是在解释慈济街头募款的目的。他的行为，是很没有礼貌的。但是，我们也因该设身处地的为他想想，毕竟生意难做。未来，街头募款最好选择转角处或十字街口。
There are also nice people around. There are several people who thank us when they know that we are helping their fellow citizens. They told us that they too have already sent checks over. There is a nice young man, who did not listen to us carefully when we asked him for donation. He just placed some coins into the donation box and continues walking. A few steps later, when he heard us clearly that we are raising funds for those affected by the California wild fires, he turned back and placed more coins into the donation box. We thanked him and gave him the pamphlet introducing Tzu Chi. 15 minutes later, he returned and ask us who to pronounce "Tzu Chi". He is a black and cannot pronounce "Tzu Chi". I was very touched. Hopefully, we planted a nice thought in his heart and he will join us when the opportunity arises.
当然，还是有善心人士的。有好几人，当他们知道我们正在帮助他们的同胞时，深深地感谢我们，并告知，他们也已经把支票寄出去。有一位年轻人，没有留心听我们解说募款的目的，只是随手放了些硬币入善款箱。几步后，当他听到我们正在为加州野火募款时，他转过身返回来，并投入更多硬币到善款箱。我们表示感恩，并给了他一张介绍慈济的说明纸。没想到，十五分钟后，他走了回来，问我们“慈济”英文名称的发音 。非裔想必不习惯中文的卷舌发音。我十分感动。但愿我们在他的心里种下了慈济的因缘，日后因缘成熟时，他能与我们一起走在菩萨道上。
In general, this is a very fruitful event. Sincere thanks to Yi Shan SG who bought us drinks and help us temporary in order for us to go and buy lunch (I called my friends to tell them to go ahead with lunch and grocery shopping). Thanks to the several Tzu Ching whom we meet on the streets and for their great donation.
总的来说，这是一个非常有意义的活动。真诚地感恩依珊师姑买饮料为我们解渴，并暂时替代我们，好让我们轮流去买午餐（我后来通知朋友们，我无法陪大家一起吃中饭和买菜）。感恩在路上遇见的几位慈青，感恩他们的善款。
Gan En
感恩
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