Due to the current COVID restrictions, this year's Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class was converted into an online session. The committee came up with a brilliant idea of creating a "Tzu Shaos Da Ai Airline" to invite the Tzu Shaos to "journey around the world" together. (Photo by Quah Chin Hin)
"Thanks to Tzu Shaos Da Ai Airline Flight TS2021 for bringing us an extraordinary journey!" Accompanied by the warm voice of "Captain" Zhou Hai Yan, sixty Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class students, also known as Tzu Shaos, "boarded the plane” with great excitement and spirit. Resembling a train heading for Jing Si Abode in Hualien, the two day one night "Odyssey of Great Love" marked its start.
Due to the extension of COVID Stabilisation Phase till 21st November 2021, this year's Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class was converted into an online session. The committee came up with a brilliant idea of creating a "Tzu Shao Da Ai Airline". Through a two day online camp, the Tzu Shaos were able to "journey around the world" together without stepping out of their houses.
"Within my heart lives a small Giant called Honesty. Even though he does not have the gift of being a good person, he never gives up any opportunity to become one". On 20th November, before the "plane" took flight, Tzu Chi Youths (also known as Tzu Ching) presented the song "Little Giant" using sign language with great zeal. The piece demonstrated the endless potential of youthfulness and their forward-looking spirit, marking the grand opening of the online camp.
Tzu Chings used sign language to perform the songs "Little Giant" and "My Name is Courage" to cheer on the Tzu Shaos. (Photo by Quah Chin Hin)
Exploring the footprints of kindness, Tzu Shaos Learnt about the Four Embracing Virtues
The very first stop was Haiti. One imagined how delightful it would be to stroll along Haiti's beautiful beaches and take in its breathtaking view. However, a strong earthquake had disrupted the peace and caused the residents of Haiti to live in distress. Tzu Shaos needed to role-play as several characters in the game station and utilise their imagination and creativity to assist the locals.
Moving on from North American Continent, across the Great Pacific Ocean to Europe, the second stop brought them to Turkey to savour the delicious Turkish ice cream. The Tzu Shaos were being introduced to El Menahil International School, built by the collective effort of Tzu Chi Foundation, the Turkish Government and teachers from the Syrian refugees' community. Tzu Chi volunteers hoped that through the emphasis of humanistic culture delivered through education, Syrian children who escaped the Syria conflict could regain hope and love here. This immersive experience made the Tzu Shaos understand the concept of "generosity" and "beneficial deeds" in the Four Embracing Virtues better.
Tzu Shaos followed the footsteps of Tzu Chings to Turkey, and got to know more about the international school built by Tzu Chi Foundation, the Turkish Government and teachers from the Syrian refugees. (Screenshot by Mulias)
Next, the flight headed east towards South Africa where everyone followed the footsteps of Senior Tzu Chi Volunteer Michael Pan to learn about the challenges faced by Tzu Chi volunteers when they were promoting charity work there. Once when Michael Pan went to visit the poor in the village, he was questioned by a youth there. However, he remained unfazed by it and explained to the youth patiently and politely. Through his actions, Michael Pan demonstrated to Tzu Shaos on how to win trust and cooperation using the "loving speech" approach in the Four Embracing Virtues.
The schedule of this journey was very tightly packed, and the last stop for the flight brought all back to Southeast Asia. The Tzu Shaos imagined themselves sampling the desserts in Philippines and learning simple greeting phrases in local language, all while searching for traces of kindness there. When the central of Philippines was badly hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, people planned to abandon the affected city Tacloban. However, Tzu Chi volunteers initiated the "cash-for-work" programme, renewing vitality back into the devastated city. Through this disaster-relief method, Tzu Shaos got to understand the concept of "fellowship", in which the collective power of like-minded individuals can bring forth and channel the power of great love.
Having "flown" over Haiti, Turkey, South Africa and the Philippines, it really felt as though everyone had journeyed across half the Earth within a half-day period. Tzu Shaos not only got to know more about the world, through employing interesting games and engaging play, Tzu Shaos also revised the content of "Sowing the seeds of a Good Life" which they learnt last year. They also delved deeper into the spirt and practise of the Four Embracing Virtues (Generosity, Loving Speech, Beneficial deeds and Fellowship).
Learning never stops both onsite and online
After traveling across the four continents and returning to Singapore on the first day of the journey, Tzu Shaos were divided into small groups for the evening programme called "Talks under the Stars" as they review their learning and growth for the past year.
The COVID situation in Singapore was showing signs of stabilisation at the start of the year. As such, the orientation programme in January and "Speaking Mother Tongue" lessons were both conducted on the ground. Unfortunately, the COVID situation in Singapore soon began to escalate and COVID restrictions were further tightened. As a result, the humanistic lessons in March, Parents' Day in April and other all subsequent events were switched online just like the previous year. The programme planned for June was vegetarianism advocacy. Similar to last year, Tzu Shaos were assigned to prepare a vegetarian dish with their parents at home and share them on social media. This programme was well-received by many.
Emcee Chee Chen Sin and Tzu Shaos performing several lovely songs during the "Talks under the Stars" session. (Photo by Wang Hai Yang)
The highlight for July was the pre-exam blessing event. For that, the planning committee came up with both offline and online activities. Counselling talks on "Facing stress and transforming stress into motivation" was conducted online to help fellow Tzu Shaos better manage their pre-exams anxiety and face the upcoming exams with a more positive attitude. On the ground, everyone sprang into action to each do their part. The Tzu Chi Youths were in charge of preparing the "Pre-exam Blessing Packs" while the Fathers of Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class recorded the stress-relieving song, and the Mothers lovingly sewed pencil cases. These pre-exam blessing packs were then carefully assembled and delivered to each Tzu Shao's house to wish the very best to each Tzu Shao in their upcoming exams.
One of the fathers of Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class Mai Jing Tian sang and danced to the song "I'm not afraid of stress", creating much joy and laughter for everyone. He explained, "Even though the pre-exam stress-relieving song is only for a few minutes, it took us plenty of preparation. I am grateful to the Tzu Chings and volunteers for helping with the editing of the song to showcase it better." He looked forward to celebrating Parents' Day back in Jing Si Hall next year, where parents and their children could foster greater understanding through tea serving and feet bathing activities.
Grateful for having grown and learned together
"Joining Tzu Chi makes me feel warm at heart and made me forget about the stress I face in school. I also get to understand myself better and perform better", explained Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class graduate Vince Shu. He joined Parent-Child Bonding Class prior to joining Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class and had learnt plentiful in the past ten years with Tzu Chi. He used this opportunity to thank his parents, who had accompanied him to his lessons without fail despite their busy schedule. He had observed that not only has he transformed, so have his parents.
Vince also gave thanks to the Tzu Chi aunties and uncles who had shown him their care, as well as his fellow Tzu Chings who spent great effort preparing for lessons despite the COVID restrictions. It made him understand the rationale behind vegetarianism and having seen the cruel process of butchering animals. He became even more determined of his vegetarian commitment. He explained firmly, "Coming to Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class is not about becoming a perfect person, but it's to become a better self."
On the other hand, Tzu Shao Shannon Chew Wan Yi enjoyed the relaxing and lively atmosphere of the Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class. Above all, the lesson on the Four Modes of Conduct left a lasting impression on her. Through practising how to properly hold a pair of chopsticks during the table manners lesson, she remembered the content of the table manners better amid laughter. She revealed her anticipation for the future, "Maintain emotional stability, protect the environment with solid actions, and pay close attention to the disasters occurring in other countries."
Handing awards for Short Films, Infusing Creativity into Lessons
To make online lessons more interesting, Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class lesson committee worked together with Tzu Chings to create seven short films to educate about anti-drug and abstain from engaging in inappropriate activities. On that day, they revisited the highlights of the films and also handed out the "Da Ai Star Award" to thank the effort of the Tzu Ching volunteers and other volunteers who worked behind the scene.
"This reward belongs to everyone who have contributed so much time and effort. Thank you, everyone. We hope everyone can continue to support our filming group and also join our Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class", claimed Tzu Ching Chee Tao Kang, who won the Da Ai Best Male Actor, earnestly.
"Adversities make us grow, make us push our limits and learn to solve problems with greater flexibility. It also allows us to explore life's direction together." Tzu Chi Singapore's deputy CEO, Tan Chai Hoon, was heartened to see the transformation and growth of the Tzu Shaos. He verbalised that everything happens due to cause and affinity; hence for those who were present but did not receive the Dai Ai Star Awards, they were already, in fact, an "awardee" who had seized the opportunity to serve.
Tan Chai Hoon acknowledged the creative method of using stage play to educate about life lessons and also praised Emcee Chee Chen Sin for engaging his wife and children in the performance, setting a good example through his actions. He hoped that graduated Tzu Shaos could continue learning and growing with the other brothers and sisters from Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth.
Tzu Chings also prepared a video montage for Lesson Coordinator Zhou Hai Yan to express their gratitude. Zhou Hai Yan described that the teaching of moral values in Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class is akin to the imprint made by a growing tree. "Just like a pot of vinegar which ages with time, this is the fifth year of Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class. There is an endless list of people and things I am grateful for."
"Along with the title of 'Tzu Chi Aunty' comes great responsibility. It constantly reminds me of whether have I done well and done good." She proceeded to thank Tzu Chi Youths for their trust and also the parents of Tzu Shaos, who constantly extended their help towards her. Zhou Hai Yan encouraged the Tzu Shaos, "The Tzu Shaos of yesterday will be the Tzu Chi Youth of today and the Tzu Chi volunteer of tomorrow." Together, everyone walks the world of great love one step at a time.
Tzu Chi Teenagers' Class Main Coordinators, Fong Kok Kee (left) and Vince Shu (middle), presented the colourful thank you cards to Zhou Hai Yan (right) to show their appreciation for her encouragement and companionship. (Photo by Quah Chin Hin)
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