Exercise 1:Market Research (Lee Yau Zu_0138730)

Exercise 1:Market Research (Lee Yau Zu_0138730)

1)    What is the name of the NGO and when was it established in Malaysia?

       The name of the NGO is Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, and it was officially established in 1993 (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

 

2)    What is the main objective of the NGO?

       The main objective of Tzu Chi Malaysia is to provide humanitarian relief and promote compassionate service through various initiatives in charity, medical care, education, environmental protection, and community development, serving individuals regardless of race, religion, or background (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

 

3)    Who founded the original NGO and where?

       The original Tzu Chi Foundation was founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Hualien, Taiwan, in 1966. The foundation was established with the intention of practicing Buddhist compassion through active charitable work. (Tzu Chi Foundation, 2025.).

 

4)    What areas of service does the NGO focus on?

Tzu Chi Malaysia focuses on five core areas of service:

1.     Charity – financial aid and support for underprivileged families;

2.     Medical Services – including free clinics and dialysis centres;

3.     Education – values-based education and scholarship programs;

4.     Environmental Protection – recycling programs and eco-awareness;

5.     Humanistic Culture – volunteerism and ethical development.

(Tzu Chi Foundation, 2025.).

5)    In what year did the NGO begin its operations?

       Tzu Chi Malaysia began its operations in 1993, with its first local activities taking place in Kuala Lumpur. (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

 

6)    How did the organization expand its presence in Malaysia over the years?

       Over the years, Tzu Chi Malaysia expanded by establishing regional offices in major states such as Penang, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak. The organization grew through its consistent charity outreach, educational programs, medical missions, and nationwide environmental initiatives, enabling it to become one of the most respected humanitarian organizations in Malaysia. (New Straits Times, 2021).

 

7)    What were some of the key milestones or achievements in the NGO history?

Key milestones in Tzu Chi Malaysia’s history include:

·       The opening of free clinics and dialysis centres;

·       Active involvement in tsunami relief efforts in 2004;

·       The launch of nationwide recycling and eco-education programs;

·       Providing COVID-19 relief such as food aid, medical supplies, and support for vaccination centres (2020–2022);

·       Implementation of inclusive aid initiatives such as the “We Are One Malaysia” Campaign in 2022.

(The Star, 2022; New Straits Times, 2021).

8)    What is the core cause or main mission of the NGO?

       The core mission of Tzu Chi Malaysia is to relieve suffering, cultivate compassion, and promote a harmonious and ethical society through charitable and volunteer-driven initiatives (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

 

9)    Which United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) does the NGO support?

Tzu Chi Malaysia’s work aligns with several United Nations SDGs, including:

·       SDG 1 – No Poverty

·       SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

·       SDG 4 – Quality Education

·       SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

·       SDG 13 – Climate Action

 (United Nations, 2025.).

10) What is the official mission statement of the NGO?

       The official mission statement of Tzu Chi Malaysia is:
“To relieve the suffering of those in need and to promote humanistic values through compassion, relief, and selfless service.” (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

11) What is the vision that the NGO strives to achieve for society?

       Tzu Chi Malaysia envisions a peaceful and harmonious society rooted in compassion, sustainability, and mutual care among all people, regardless of background. (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

12) How are the mission and vision reflected in the organization's daily work and campaigns?

       The mission and vision are reflected in the organization’s daily activities through volunteer-led charity visits, medical support services, environmental campaigns, and educational outreach. All initiatives are carried out with a spirit of empathy, inclusiveness, and moral responsibility. (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

13) What are the key strengths of the NGO?

Tzu Chi Malaysia’s key strengths include:

·       A large and dedicated volunteer network

·       A strong and trusted public reputation

·       A diverse range of services across multiple sectors

·       A disciplined and structured organizational model rooted in compassion and ethics.

New Straits Times. (2021).

14) What weaknesses or limitations does the organization face?

Some of the organization’s limitations include:

·       Limited reach in remote rural areas;

·       Language and cultural barriers in certain diverse communities;

·       Public perception of religious exclusivity, despite serving all backgrounds;

·       A modest digital media presence, compared to other large NGOs.

(The Star, 2022).

15) What opportunities can the NGO explore to improve or expand its impact?

Opportunities for growth include:

·       Enhancing digital engagement through online platforms

·       Expanding youth involvement via schools and universities

·       Building corporate and governmental partnerships

·       Integrating mental health and climate education into existing programs.

(Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

16) What external threats could affect the NGO's operations or funding?

Potential threats include:

·       Economic downturns reducing public donations

·       Volunteer fatigue or burnout

·       Political sensitivities or public misunderstanding regarding religious associations

·       Increased competition from other NGOs in similar sectors.

(Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2025.).

17) How can the NGO use its strengths to overcome its weaknesses and threats?

       Tzu Chi Malaysia can overcome challenges by leveraging its reputation and volunteer base to build broader community alliances, enhance communication strategies, and diversify fundraising through partnerships and digital campaigns. Promoting inclusivity and transparency can also help address public misconceptions New Straits Times. (2021).

 

18) What are two recent creative campaigns (2022–2024) initiated by Tzu Chi Malaysia?

Two recent campaigns include:

1.     The “Eco Kids Program” (2023) – an educational campaign teaching schoolchildren about recycling and environmental care. (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2023.).

2.     The “We Are One Malaysia Aid Campaign” (2022) – a multicultural pandemic-relief effort that provided food and financial support to over 50,000 underprivileged families across Malaysia. (Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, 2022.).

19) What were the main goals and target audiences of these campaigns?

       The Eco Kids Program aimed to educate primary school students on environmental responsibility and sustainable living.The We Are One Campaign targeted low-income families of all races and religions, aiming to promote unity and provide essential support during the COVID-19 crisis The Star. (2022).

20) How did Tzu Chi Malaysia incorporate innovation or creativity in these campaigns?

Tzu Chi Malaysia incorporated creativity through:

·       Interactive learning tools and hands-on workshops in the Eco Kids Program;

·       Cross-religious collaboration in the We Are One campaign, working with local mosques, churches, and temples to reach a wide audience and demonstrate unity in diversity.

New Straits Times. (2021)

Summary

Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, established in 1993, is the local arm of the international Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation founded by Dharma Master Cheng Yen in Taiwan. It is an organization specialized in relief work through five main fields: charity, medicine, education, environmental protection, and development of humanistic principles. Over time, Tzu Chi Malaysia has extended its reach throughout the nation and is contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which some are No Poverty (SDG 1), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), and Climate Action (SDG 13). Driven by its philosophy of alleviating suffering and spreading compassion, Tzu Chi continues to make its influence felt in Malaysian society through disaster relief, volunteerism, and creative campaigns like the "We Are One Malaysia" and "Eco Kids Program." The work of Tzu Chi is a testament to strong trust in the community, although challenges of volunteer burnout as well as calls for increased digital participation face the organization.

Reference list

Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia. (n.d.). About us. Tzu Chi Malaysia. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.tzuchi.my/en/

 

Tzu Chi Foundation. (n.d.). History of Tzu Chi Foundation. Tzu Chi Global Headquarters. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://www.tzuchi.org.tw/en/

 

United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 Goals. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved July 2, 2025, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals

 

Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia. (2022, July). We Are One Malaysia campaign: Compassion without borders. Tzu Chi Malaysia Newsroom. Retrieved from https://www.tzuchi.my/en/

 

Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia. (2023, August). Eco Kids Program reaches 10,000 students nationwide. Tzu Chi Malaysia Facebook. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/tzuchimalaysia/

 

The Star. (2022, February 15). Tzu Chi Foundation continues COVID-19 relief efforts across Malaysia. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/

 

New Straits Times. (2021, August 20). Tzu Chi distributes food aid to multiracial communities in Klang Valley. Retrieved from https://www.nst.com.my/