The world of Tzu Chi September-October 2021 (Vol.137)

TZU CHI 137 45 way, the students learned to do good deeds while learning mathematics.” Through the teachers’ sharing, the children became aware that there were people living in hunger. “The money can help those who cannot afford food. I hope they can now fill their stomachs.” Kind thoughts grew in the children’s hearts as they donated into the bamboo coin bank. Not only the teachers and students, but the Great Love Mothers 2 and volunteers from the Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association 3 of TCISKL also sent their love to the frontliners. The Great Love Mothers produced a total of 13,789 roll-on bottles of essential oil blends at their respective homes, under the guidance of a team member, Low Paik Yoke. They also invited their family members and children to join them in blending the essential oils and making the blessings cards, allowing everyone a chance to participate in the meaningful cause. It was Fany Kiu Lai Fan’s first experience making essential oil roll-ons together with her children. While extending their love and care to others, they also enjoyed a good bonding time. Fany said, “This is a verymeaningful activity, and surprisingly, I was the one who have benefitted the most from it. I felt really warm on the inside the moment I was done with the production.” Enhancing online learning Principal Limobserved that the pandemic has disrupted the students’ interactions with the outside world. Learning has also become less effective with classes moved online. This is especially the case for children whose parents needed to work and were unable to coach them in their studies. Hence, the school tried its best to adjust class schedules based on the parents’ feedback. The teaching staff have also been exploring methods to motivate their students to be more diligent, and to enhance interaction and learning effectiveness in a virtual classroom setting. She remarked, “Actually, positive social interactions are essential for children to maintain a healthy physical and mental development. Hence, in the long absence of interactions between students and their peers and teachers, we have decided to kickstart online home visits. Families that need assistance can make an appointment with the school.” Meanwhile, all teaching staff of TCISKL have been fully vaccinated as part of back-to- school safety measures, and are prepared to welcome their students once physical classes resume. 1 Spearheaded by Tzu Chi and supported by 18 interfaith organizations, the Solidarity Fund, which came to a close on September 18, 2021, has provided timely assistance to hospitals that were in need of medical equipment and supplies, as well as families struggling for subsistence due to the pandemic. 2 Formed by a team of volunteers, the Great Love Mothers visit school campuses to inculcate the teachings of Jing Si aphorisms—wise words of Master Cheng Yen—and Tzu Chi’s humanistic values in students through lively storytelling and so on. 3 One of the unique features of Tzu Chi’s Mission of Education is the establishment of Tzu-Cheng and Yi- Te Association, where the volunteers play a supporting role to the teaching force by caring for the students’ psychological and emotional needs, listening to them and instilling in them proper etiquette and moral values.