The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.114).

2019 • 09 20 eature smaller class sizes enable the tutors to dedicate more time to each student. Although Kavittha’s results have remained average upon enrolling in the tuition programme, she has managed to overcome her trauma with the care and concern of the tutors. Her eagerness to learn grew by the day, along with her confidence in passing the SPM exams. Under Mallika’s guidance, she has become more willing to embrace her own flaws and take a more positive perspective on life. Kavittha seems to have found emotional solace in the heartfelt concern of the tutors. Now, her face would light up with a smile ever so often – albeit tinged with lingering traces of wariness – a stark difference from the pensive, guarded teenager with brows knitted in perpetual worry. She would take on part-time jobs during school holidays to supplement her family’s income and hand over her earnings to her grandmother for safekeeping. Towards accessible education It is common for the children of underprivilegedfamiliestosharetheresponsibility of helping their families make ends meet. In such circumstances, the only way forward seems to be staying content with a frugal lifestyle, treasuring every hard-earned possession and working towards a better future for their families. According to Kavittha, her grandmother has been in charge of managing the family’s finances ever since her mother left the family. Her alcoholic father, devoid of any source of income, indulged in various vices and relied on Kavittha’s grandmother for money. Rather than being intimidated by the tense negativity surrounding her, Kavittha developed a resilient capacity for being more considerate of others. “Kavittha politely declined our offer to increase the amount of financial aid to her family. She assured us that the increment was unnecessary as she is capable of earning her own keep and suggested that we channel the funds to other families in need,” revealed Quee Wah, who is deeply moved by Kavittha’s altruistic intentions to reciprocate the kindness extended to her by helping others. Keeping the cycle of kindness alive Four years ago,Arun received an application form for the Tzu Chi StudyGrant from school. He also learnt from one of the volunteers who visited his home that Tzu Chi had initiated an after- school tuition programme in the neighbourhood of Taman Sentosa to provide students with an additional avenue for learning. He enrolled in the tuition programme and discovered his potential a year and a half later. Arun’s father earns a meagre income as a truck driver and is the sole breadwinner of the family, while his mother is a housewife.Arun and his older brother sympathized with their father for shouldering the entire weight of the household expenditure and decided to take up part-time jobs during the holidays to support the family’s livelihood. “My favourite subjects are Science, History, Geography and Mathematics. Whenever I have questions, the tutors would answer them patiently and explain until I fully understood. I used to fail some subjects in past exams, but now I passed all of them,” proclaimed Arun, beaming confidently before eagerly declaring his ambition: “When I grow up, I want to be a policeman.” Arun is a promising example of the notion that sky is the limit when it comes to pursuing one’s aspirations. A disadvantaged