Written by Hsiulien Chu
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
“Poverty should not impoverish education; hardship should not burden children.”
Tzu Chi strives to help students meet their needs because education shapes generations and offers children from disadvantaged families a path to transform their lives. On August 14 and 19, 2025, Tzu Chi USA Southern Region volunteers visited three Houston-area elementary schools – Douglas Smith, Landis, and Ed White – to distribute back-to-school supplies through Tzu Chi USA’s Happy Campus program, as part of their ongoing efforts to support education in underprivileged communities. These visits reflect a long-standing commitment to Houston.
Southern Region volunteers in Texas have partnered with Landis Elementary School since 2008 to offer the Happy Campus program, providing essential supplies such as stationery and winter clothing. “I feel so blessed since I was involved in the program,” reflected Deputy Executive Director Julienne Chi as she led her team into the school. “Seeing others lacking so much while we can easily obtain most things we need, it makes me genuinely happy to help these families fill their gaps.”
While some children in Texas come from affluent households, others are from financially stretched families who cannot afford notebooks, art supplies, or warm jackets after covering basic household and school-related expenses. Thus, Tzu Chi’s assistance is especially significant for both the schools served and their students.
Guarding Children's Dreams with Love
Douglas Smith Elementary School, in Houston’s Alief Independent School District (Alief ISD), is one of the schools receiving Tzu Chi’s assistance. “Not only does it help the families, it helps us as staff because our families then feel very connected to us as a school, just because of the support they receive from the community that they live in,” said Principal Shawn Verow, expressing gratitude to Tzu Chi and the community. “We are very grateful for all of the support you guys provide to us and our families.”
With this support, Douglas Smith Elementary has been able to focus on improving the instruction it provides. Principal Verow shared that the school’s projected A – F academic rating has risen by one level. “We’re excited about all that achievement and we look forward to the growth we’re going to make this year, to celebrate next school year as well,” he said.
Brenda Baldesi, Student Support Manager at Landis Elementary School, also in the Alief ISD, emphasized the program’s significance for families and teachers. “We have a lot of gratitude because we are thankful that you give us what we need for the children to be successful, right?
We receive ten packages per grade for our students, with everything on the list. That takes the burden off parents to collect every item from the list, and off teachers as well, because the teacher is receiving what she needs and what she normally maybe wouldn’t receive. So that helps the parents, helps the teachers, and helps the students to be successful.”
I'm very thankful for that collaboration because we are helping three different elements: families, teachers and students.
Teamwork in Action
Tzu Chi volunteers are eager to work with schools. When shopping for this year’s student supplies, they prioritized quality and the best prices. Supplies were packed in early August by trainees from the 2025 Tzu Chi USA Youth Leader Camp. The trainees brainstormed an efficient workflow, earning high praise from Penny Liu, also a Deputy Executive Director of Tzu Chi USA’s Southern Region.
“They divided themselves into groups and thought about how to proceed with the packing workflow,” Liu explained. “I was really impressed. It’s remarkable that they are so organized! We actually used this same approach when packing such large quantities of supplies before. But the difference is, that they came up with this approach entirely on their own. It took us two or three attempts to gradually develop it. But they came up with such an approach immediately on their very first try; it is truly remarkable. It shows their strong ability to take initiative.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers have faced greater restrictions on interacting with students on campus. While following the protocols, they have found ways to better understand students’ family situations and learning needs. Volunteers also support Afghan families with school-aged children, providing school supplies. Tzu Chi volunteer Jennifer An purchases backpacks in the styles required by different schools, along with clothing and shoes in various sizes, caring for these new immigrants as if they were her own family. “Each school requires different backpacks, sometimes transparent ones, so I specifically look for those and provide what they need,” she said.
Fostering Gratitude and Service
As a fellow educator, Tzu Chi Academy Houston Deputy Principal Carolyn Chen wore the Tzu Chi blue-sky–white-cloud uniform and visited the schools with the volunteers. During the distribution, she keenly felt the contrast among schools due to socioeconomic differences.
“Honestly, the impact on me was quite strong,” said Chen. “My own children just started school, and we even rented a home and moved for the sake of the school district. The overall environment and the level of parent involvement there are completely different from what we just saw at these two schools. What this process gave me most was self-reflection. When I’m back at the Academy, how do I help children understand how fortunate they are and how much they already have? They should also know to give back and contribute whenever there is an opportunity. This has been my deepest feeling throughout my long involvement in the Happy Campus program.”
When Effort Blossoms into Impact
Seeing the children’s joy upon receiving supplies made all the preparation feel worthwhile for the volunteers. With the recent growth of Asian, Pakistani, and Indian immigrant communities in Texas, Tzu Chi has broadened its presence and support, reaching more schools and families. The Happy Campus program not only helps children feel genuinely cared for, it also strengthens bonds among families, schools, and communities. Moving forward, Tzu Chi volunteers in Texas will continue to sow seeds of kindness, accompanying more children toward a brighter, more hopeful future.
With your love and care, we can support students nationwide through initiatives like the Happy Campus program, making a tangible difference in their school experience and empowering their dreams.
