Participants pinning their messages to Mother Earth on a hand-crafted Earth model.
The recent string of natural and nuclear calamities that struck Japan has sent waves of panic across the world. Reckoning the urgency to create awareness of current issues among the nearly 100 tertiary students, the organizing committee of the Tzu Chi Youth, or Tzu Ching, decided to incorporate the Japan incidents into a segment of the Welcome Tea.
With the disasters as backdrop, the participants were given five tasks to complete: to obtain signatures from the public to show support for their fundraiser, obtain approval from government sectors for their fundraising, to raise funds for air tickets to go to the disaster area, to complete puzzles to collect items for relief distribution, and also to pass on Master Cheng Yen’s message to volunteers.
Participants maneuver themselves through "obstacles" such as facing up with skeptics when seeking for public signatures and etc. When gathering relief items, they are challenged with problems of item shortages, transportation issues and the suitability of their relief items. It was a good opportunity for the participants to experience the difficulties that Tzu Chi volunteers face when preparing for real disaster relief. Through the tasks, the participants learned that minor setbacks are worth the effort so long they are for a greater cause, and that one needs to be considerate and humble when faced with people issue.
In search of young hearts
Youth age is often a time when the search for identity and a niche in the society gets strongest, said Tzu Ching senior Low Hai Loon in his talk." Drifting from one identity to another, it is the values that we uphold that decide our ways of life, be it with Generation X, Generation Y or the current 'modern-day-nomads' who finds meaning in dropping out the rat race."
“But putting that aside,” the 29-year-old PhD student continued, “there is a group of Buddhist nuns in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan who sustain themselves through taking up different tasks to make ends meet for the Jing Si Abode, leading frugal lives and spending only on necessities.”
“So which kind of life is the best? Probably it's the one with least material desire that would be in harmony with Mother Earth.”
Next, another senior Branda Ng was invited on stage to share her eight-year experience as part of the Tzu Chi family and how it became a turning point in her life.
The staff of Tzu Chi Free Health Screening was a hospital nurse who earned herself several awards in the field. She credited her success to her colleagues and patients who taught her how to manage and overcome difficult situations. She made an example of the late Sister Bianca Chau who was able to juggle numerous important roles in Tzu Chi despite being a homemaker. The volunteer leader had committed in Tzu Chi's work till her last breathe.
Branda concluded, “Every person has unlimited potential. The difference lies in our decision whether to dedicate our lives to do good.” “Everybody hopes to fulfill their dreams, but are we placing too much importance on ourselves? When we grasp our fists too tight, we mostly find that all we catch is air. So why don't we open our palms to feel and appreciate the things that we still possess?”
Notably, Branda’s quote of “Worth it, or worthwhile?” left a deep impression on Indonesian student Kelvin Anggara and prompted him to put more thoughts into his life purpose.
Go Vero!
The tsunamis and the disasters in the movie ‘2012’ were made with special effects, but they are starting to manifest in reality, remarked adult volunteer Lee Voon Kon. The member of the Tzu Chi Singapore Environmental Protection Committee showed aerial videos of the Japan earthquake and tsunami to the youths, noting, “We may be far from Japan, but does that mean we will be unaffected at all?"
The answer is a likely 'No'. We live on the same planet; everything is interconnected. When Nature retaliates, it is imperative humans take action and change the mentality that mankind can control Nature.
Apart from sending thoughts and prayers, adopting vegetarian is perhaps a more concrete way to help lessen the planet's burden. After presenting a comedy skit to clarify misconceptions about vegetarianism, the Singapore Tzu Ching announced a new movement called "Vero", abbreviated from “Veggie Hero”, targeting at accumulating 100,000 meatless meal pledge from the public over a period of six months.
Arming every Tzu Ching members and the youth participants with “V-cards”, the committee hopes that they can play a role in reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide and help save the Earth. “V-cards” allow participants to record the number of meatless meals consumed. Chen Kuanjie from NUS mentioned that prior to the talks during the camp, he was unaware that meat diet produces significant carbon footprint (a meat-eater's diet is responsible for more than seven times as much greenhouse gas emissions as a vegan's diet). Therefore, he promised to consume less meat and hopefully through the “Vero” movement he can gradually divert his diet to become fully vegetarian.
Towards the end of the Welcome Tea, 14 students received their Tzu Ching uniforms and identification badge from the CEO Mr David Liu. The small ceremony signified the continuation of the mission to maintain streams of goodness flowing in campuses across Singapore. With the strokes of their paintbrushes known as Youth, we hope that the participants would make good use of their days to leave more colors and great love across the world.
Participants brainstorming on how to complete a puzzle that will enable them to collect items for relief distribution.
Almost 100 youths attended the Welcome Tea.
Fundraising through completing an obstacle course blindfolded and three-legged taught the participants the value of teamwork.
Tzu Ching senior Low Hai Loon sharing on youth identity and possible ways to live in harmony with the Earth.
Senior Branda Ng sharing her experience as part of the Tzu Chi family and how it became a turning point in her life.
The “V-cards” were given out to the future "Veros" (Veggie Heroes) to serve as a constant reminder for them to keep to their vegetarian pledge.
Tzu Chi Singapore CEO Mr. David Liu's lighthearted talk left deep impressions among the participants.
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