The world of Tzu Chi March 2021 (Vol.132)

TZU CHI 132 27 Caring from the heart —Tzu-Yi Association, head of Programme Team, Ho Koon Guan “B e with the children and love the children! These eight words tell the mission of Tzu Chi Mums and Dads.” Ho Koon Guan said in a joyful tone, when he talked about the roles of TCISKL Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association 2 . Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association originated in Taiwan and TCISKL is the first Tzu Chi school outside of Taiwan permitted to set up the Association overseas. As the Association’s head of Programme Team, Koon Guan feels a huge responsibility on his shoulders, but he takes on the role happily. The role of Tzu Chi Mums and Dads is to take care of the secondary school students, who are adolescence with their own thinking and opinions. Hence, it is not easy to gain their acceptance and their initial cold response to their newly adopted “Mums” and “Dads” are to be expected. “However, we were not discouraged and that did not reduce our enthusiasm to breakthrough to them. We constantly tweak our programme to adapt and get their attention and acceptance,” said Koon Guan. He tried his best to make the interactions between them more relaxed and lively. These include watching movies, playing games, solving riddles, and so on. He would also try to come out with trendy and creative ideas of interest to the students. Moreover, they would seek the children’s opinion and gauge their interest and concurrence prior to finalizing their teaching materials. Although the MCO was a bummer and Tzu Chi Mums and Dads could not be with the students physically, they would still maintain their monthly interaction online, and would send their children video clips and personal greeting cards. A Tzu Chi Dad even went to great extent to buy a computer, learn how to operate it and produce a video for the children. Such great selfless love finally touched the hearts as these children could feel the warmth and sincerity of Tzu Chi Mums and Dads. They no longer see their Tzu Chi Mums and Dads as strangers and would send them messages to express how much they missed them. Genuine love and sincere caring can break down all barriers of distance and touch the heart. Despite not being able to meet face- to-face, the love and care of Tzu Chi Mums and Dads can always be felt in the heart. 2 In 1989, after the establishment of Tzu Chi Junior College of Nursing, Master Cheng Yen specially appointed some virtuous and wise Tzu Chi Commissioners to help reinforce moral values among the students. On October 25, 1989, the Yi-Te Association was formed. Then in 1999, Tzu Chi Junior College of Nursing was upgraded to Tzu Chi College of Technology. With Tzu Cheng Faith Corps members joining the Association to take care of the male students, it was renamed to Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association, in short Tzu-Yi. Realizing Character Education – First Year Anniversary of TCISKL