PHILIPSBURG:--- Senior resident Lourdes Martinez, 75, has received a fully repaired home thanks to the dedicated efforts of Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation St Maarten volunteers and her brother Nicolas, who led the restoration work.
The deeply deteriorated wooden house, originally built by Lourdes’s late husband, posed safety risks intensified by lingering damage from Hurricane Irma.
Lourdes first sought assistance at the Tzu Chi Center on July 10, 2025. An assessment by Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung and some volunteers on July 11 confirmed the poor condition of the house, particularly the wooden panels surrounding her bedroom. Tzu Chi approved support for repairs, supplying materials, while Lourdes’s brother, Nicolas, agreed to do the labour.
Work began on July 23 with 10 volunteers and a total of 33 people contributing to the project. Tasks included replacing three windows, installing new plywood and T‑11 siding, and building a new closet unit. Under Nicolas’s guidance, volunteers contributed to both structural and electrical repairs. Volunteers on the team supported one another with care, harmony, and even shared meals throughout the effort—including hands‑on help from Lourdes and Nicolas.
The repair project concluded on August 1, and a small celebration followed with Lourdes, her sister, three friends, and seven volunteers. A celebratory cake marked the occasion, and Lourdes expressed heartfelt gratitude to Tzu Chi. She reflected on years of anxiety over the house’s condition and her limited pension, with relief evident in her smile and relaxed expression.
Her brother Nicolas, observing the volunteer compassion firsthand, shared how witnessing Tzu Chi in action inspired him. “Seeing it in action made me believe,” he said, expressing hope to assist others in the future.
Tzu Chi announced it will continue monthly support for Lourdes and Nicolas and invites them to join future community relief efforts.
Their case, Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung noted, exemplifies Tzu Chi’s mission of bringing hope to those in need and encouraging recipients to pass it on, a cycle of compassion, love, and community upliftment.
