Latest news with #TzuChi
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Education seminar fills gap of character cultivation
THE Westmead-based Tzu Chi Foundation – South Africa held an education seminar last week which aimed to fill a gap in the schooling curriculum, which is the cultivation of character. Themed 'Igniting Hope, Cultivating Character', the foundation's education project manager, Siyabonga Alex Qwabe, said the seminar was also about imparting the Tzu Chi humanistic spirit and education philosophy, character education and holistic learning strategies, and different education systems and practical teaching experiences. The seminar was attended by the foundation's volunteers and educators from Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini and Durban who had the opportunity to engage with different industry experts and guest speakers who delved into the seminar's aimed exploration into new approaches in inclusive education, character development, and skill-based learning. Also read: WATCH: Foundation donates reusable diapers One of the guest speakers was Ursula Collings, a former school principal whose talk on Thursday also encouraged teachers and parents to expose children to nature, especially in light of findings that more of them are spending almost seven hours glued to devices such as cellphones or tablets. Qwabe, a former educator himself, said the foundation seeks to 'plant a seed in learners and educators of certain principles and values which will make them better people'. 'Ours is to better shape society by changing the characters of people,' said Qwabe, who added that the knowledge gained by their volunteers from the seminar will be sown into the minds of the children they provide caregiving services to across different countries, including South Africa. The local branch of the foundation provides care-giving assistance to schools such as Addington Primary, SM Jhavary Primay and Nqayizivele in uMlazi. Among the lessons Qwabe said were presented to volunteers were inclusion and learning barriers, with strategies suggested on how to identify the latter and help children deal with it, in order to ensure the former manifests in a classroom. 'A lot of the experts were showing a practical and fun part of learning and also how to help learners forget about whatever burdens and troubles they may be dealing with in their personal lives,' said Qwabe, who added that it was also about cultivating the teacher's mental health. Qwabe said the foundation's central tenets are building compassion; respect; being responsible; courage; perseverance; contentment; emotional management; thankfulness; tolerance; filial piety; and giving. 'We go to schools and conduct fun yet informative lessons that are based on these central themes, and the aim is to change the characters of learners by reminding them of these principles,' said Qwabe. The seminar, which Qwabe said aimed to transform learners and teachers as a way of ultimately positively impacting communities, ran from July 9 to 13 at the foundation's Westmead centre. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
7 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Tzu Chi South Africa supports 3,000 Primrose residents with winter relief drive
In a show of compassion and unity, 3,000 residents from informal settlements and surrounding communities received vital support during Tzu Chi South Africa's major winter distribution event, held on June 21 at the Primrose Police Station. The Primrose winter relief event forms part of Tzu Chi South Africa's broader seasonal mission, with over 20 such distributions taking place across Gauteng each year. This year's local effort reached 2,000 households from Marathon, Delport, Makause informal settlement, Primrose, and surrounding areas. ALSO READ: New CEO for Flower Foundation Retirement Homes takes reins More than 120 volunteers came together on the day, including 55 Chinese Tzu Chi members, 13 GIA volunteers, 25 local community helpers from Primrose, and 24 Primrose SAPS officers. Their diversity reflected a united commitment to humanitarian service that transcended race, language, and background. Each pack contained bags of rice, food parcels, fresh bread, and clothing, including shoes. Brother Teng-Wei, executive director of Tzu Chi South Africa, delivered a heartfelt blessing, emphasising the importance of giving selflessly and without expectation. This message of unconditional compassion was echoed in a group performance of the Amitabha Song, where volunteers and recipients shared a moving moment of unity through music and sign language. ALSO READ: Edenglen High gives back to foundation to uplift young girls Ward Councillor Wendy Morgan said that disadvantaged residents in the ward urgently need this kind of support. 'This wasn't just about giving—it was about compassion, dignity, and the assurance that no one is alone. 'These donations were deeply needed and will have a meaningful impact on the recipients,' said Morgan. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Sun
30-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Thousands join nationwide plogging initiative
KUALA LUMPUR: In a powerful display of environmental consciousness, thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life came together yesterday for a nationwide plogging event, held in celebration of Tzu Chi Malaysia's 30th anniversary of environmental advocacy. The event, held under the banner of the 'Go Green, Go Plogging' campaign, combined exercise with environmental care. Plogging refers to jogging while picking up litter, turning an ordinary workout into a community activity. Spanning more than 50 locations across the Klang Valley, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak, the campaign marked the largest plogging initiative ever organised by Tzu Chi Malaysia. Nationwide, more than 8,000 participants took part, collecting rubbish while walking or jogging to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and civic responsibility. The main venue at the Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall in Kepong saw about 1,000 participants, including representatives from GLCs, private corporations, NGOs and media organisations. Berjaya Corporation founder and Tzu Chi commissioner Tan Sri Vincent Tan, who took part in the clean-up, commended the initiative and called for more regular community involvement. 'This is a very good event and I think it should be done more often, ideally once a week in different parts of the city. 'It shouldn't be organised by Tzu Chi alone. Every group, religious, civic or corporate, should get involved. 'If 52 organisations each hosted one clean-up a year, we would have a cleaner Kuala Lumpur every week,' he said after the event. Tan also voiced concern over the large number of cigarette butts collected. 'We picked up a lot of cigarette butts today. Perhaps it's time for cigarette companies to provide proper disposal containers, boxes with a section to stub out and store the butts that can be placed in public areas. 'Everyone needs to take responsibility, not just the companies but individuals as well. Smokers should do their part to dispose of their cigarette butts properly instead of leaving them scattered everywhere,' he said. Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Puan Sri Tong Siew Bee thanked all participants and supporting organisations, underscoring the significance of the movement. 'This marks three decades of Tzu Chi's environmental journey in Malaysia. For 30 years, we have worked with local communities to protect Earth through education, advocacy and action. 'At Tzu Chi, we believe that every small action creates a ripple of goodness. Picking up just one piece of litter may seem insignificant, but imagine the collective impact if we all did it consistently, not just today but as a way of life,' she said. She also quoted Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen: 'The Earth is like our mother, she carries and nurtures all beings. We should cherish her with a grateful heart.' Also present were BCorp joint CEO Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan, Top Glove chairman Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai, Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Pua Pei Ling, Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Josephine Tien and Southern Score managing director Tan Sri Gan Yu Chai. Among the corporate supporters were Berjaya Group, Public Bank, Top Glove, Sunway Group, Nirvana, Radium Development Berhad, Southern Score Builders Berhad and Techsaltants. Tzu Chi Malaysia currently operates 154 recycling centres and 776 community-based recycling points nationwide, reflecting a deep rooted commitment to sustainability at the grassroots level.
The Sun
30-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
8,000 join Tzu Chi's record plogging drive for environment
KUALA LUMPUR: In a powerful display of environmental consciousness, thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life came together yesterday for a nationwide plogging event, held in celebration of Tzu Chi Malaysia's 30th anniversary of environmental advocacy. The event, held under the banner of the 'Go Green, Go Plogging' campaign, combined exercise with environmental care. Plogging refers to jogging while picking up litter, turning an ordinary workout into a community activity. Spanning more than 50 locations across the Klang Valley, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak, the campaign marked the largest plogging initiative ever organised by Tzu Chi Malaysia. Nationwide, more than 8,000 participants took part, collecting rubbish while walking or jogging to raise awareness about environmental sustainability and civic responsibility. The main venue at the Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall in Kepong saw about 1,000 participants, including representatives from GLCs, private corporations, NGOs and media organisations. Berjaya Corporation founder and Tzu Chi commissioner Tan Sri Vincent Tan, who took part in the clean-up, commended the initiative and called for more regular community involvement. 'This is a very good event and I think it should be done more often, ideally once a week in different parts of the city. 'It shouldn't be organised by Tzu Chi alone. Every group, religious, civic or corporate, should get involved. 'If 52 organisations each hosted one clean-up a year, we would have a cleaner Kuala Lumpur every week,' he said after the event. Tan also voiced concern over the large number of cigarette butts collected. 'We picked up a lot of cigarette butts today. Perhaps it's time for cigarette companies to provide proper disposal containers, boxes with a section to stub out and store the butts that can be placed in public areas. 'Everyone needs to take responsibility, not just the companies but individuals as well. Smokers should do their part to dispose of their cigarette butts properly instead of leaving them scattered everywhere,' he said. Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Puan Sri Tong Siew Bee thanked all participants and supporting organisations, underscoring the significance of the movement. 'This marks three decades of Tzu Chi's environmental journey in Malaysia. For 30 years, we have worked with local communities to protect Earth through education, advocacy and action. 'At Tzu Chi, we believe that every small action creates a ripple of goodness. Picking up just one piece of litter may seem insignificant, but imagine the collective impact if we all did it consistently, not just today but as a way of life,' she said. She also quoted Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen: 'The Earth is like our mother, she carries and nurtures all beings. We should cherish her with a grateful heart.' Also present were BCorp joint CEO Vivienne Cheng Chi Fan, Top Glove chairman Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai, Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Pua Pei Ling, Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur and Selangor deputy CEO Josephine Tien and Southern Score managing director Tan Sri Gan Yu Chai. Among the corporate supporters were Berjaya Group, Public Bank, Top Glove, Sunway Group, Nirvana, Radium Development Berhad, Southern Score Builders Berhad and Techsaltants. Tzu Chi Malaysia currently operates 154 recycling centres and 776 community-based recycling points nationwide, reflecting a deep rooted commitment to sustainability at the grassroots level.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How sustainable wood furniture maker in Hong Kong turns fallen trees into unique pieces
At the inaugural exhibition of the Tzu Chi Environmental Action Centre in Hong Kong's Tai Wai neighbourhood in 2021, one particular installation stood out: a school of more than 100 suspended sharks made from wood that had been entirely salvaged. It was an effective and subtle way to convey the message from its creator, Lam Che, that trees and sea creatures share space with those who use and discard them with little thought. Lam, who is in his mid-60s, began salvaging fallen trees and construction waste in 2003, repurposing them in his Kwun Tong studio. He predominantly collects fallen camphor trees and old Thai teak that was once popular in colonial home furnishings. As Hong Kong enters its typhoon season, Lam is about to get busy again. Lam stands with his installation of more than 100 sharks made from salvaged wood at the Tzu Chi Environmental Action Centre in Tai Wai. Photo: K.Y. Cheng Fallen trees are packed with moisture and require two to three years to dry out enough to sculpt into art and furniture pieces. Lam makes mostly stools and tabletop accessories such as radio and jewellery cabinets.
