Global fundraising activities for the “Great Love from Tzu Chi to the Suffering in China and Myanmar” campaign had started since mid May 2008. Tzu Chi volunteers from all over the world earnestly raised funds for the China and Myanmar victims. In Hambantota, Sri Lanka, students and staff from the Tzu Chi National School and Tzu Chi Vocational Training Centre gathered at the Great Love Assembly Hall on 23 May 2008 to offer their sincere prayer for the unfortunate victims.

All teachers and students listened attentively to Master Cheng Yen’s advices through the “Life Wisdom” programme.

Students from Tzu Chi National School saying their earnest prayers with sincere hearts.

The students coming forward and generously poured their coins into the charity box.

Students from the Vocational Training Centre praying sincerely.

Ranjit, the worksite supervisor, contributing towards charity too.

On 23 May 2008 at about 9am, about 300 students, teachers, principal and staff from Tzu Chi National School and Tzu Chi Vocational Training Centre gathered at the Great Love Assembly Hall to say their sincere prayers for the China earthquake and Myanmar cyclone victims. Dimuthu, a Tzu Chi employee stationed at Tzu Chi Hambantota office, shared with all about the recent global tragedies happening in China and Myanmar.

Dimuthu shared his feelings, “When the Tsunami struck in end 2004, Tzu Chi volunteers brought along their Great Love and blessings to Hambantota and helped us rebuild our homes. Although China and Myanmar are very far away from us and we can’t be there personally to offer any help to the victims, but as what Master Cheng Yen said before, the power of prayer is very great. As long as every one of us can use our most sincere heart to pray for the victims, we can definitely relieve their sufferings.”

Next, everyone listened attentively to Master Cheng Yen’s advices thorough the “Life Wisdom” programme (which features daily advices from Master). Despite the fact that everyone cannot understand Mandarin, with Dimuthu’s explanation, the students can empathize with the suffering of the victims, as many of them were also victims from the 2004 Tsunami tragedy.

Before playing the song “Our Earnest Prayer”, Dimuthu first explained the meanings of its lyrics so that everyone can have a better understanding of it.

Empathy from the Tsunami victims

Mr. W. H. Chandradasa, who is the principal of the Vocational Training Centre, shared his feelings too. “Tzu Chi helped Sri Lanka so much after the Tsunami. Three years had passed and almost all charitable organizations had left, but Tzu Chi is still here.” Looking at the volunteers in blue and white uniforms appearing in China and Myanmar, Mr. Chandradasa felt that he can empathize deeply with those victims, and he agreed with Master’s belief that the power of prayers is indeed very strong. He appealed to all to offer their most sincere prayers, so that the victims from China and Myanmar will be able to stand up strong and recover, just like them.

The school principal, teachers and students began to donate into the charity box held by Volunteer Sister Wong Ah Lan. One of the classes even donated their entire class fund.

Secondary 3 student Rishnika requested Tzu Chi volunteers to allow him to carry the charity donation box to their village so that he could solicit more funds there. As he felt that the victims will definitely need more help, for he was a Tsunami victim three years ago and is now residing in a village built by international relief and humanitarian organization CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere).

Three years later, they are now independent

As some of the students did not have their pocket money with them, they requested the volunteers to go to their classrooms, so that they can donate for charity too. Upon reaching the 2nd year classroom, the volunteers saw the students ardently inserting monies into their bamboo coin bank before handing it to them. It wasn’t long before they realized the students were hoping to fill up the coin bank that already has their savings since a month ago. Upon encouragement by their form teacher, the students said in Sinhala for three times, “We want to help the China and Myanmar victims!”.

At another 3rd year student classroom, many rushed forward eagerly to donate all that they have to the charity box, including their class fund. Some of the students even asked the volunteers whether they will come again on the following day, so that they can donate again.

Just three and a half years ago, these children from Hambantota were Tsunami victims. Now, they are able to help others, although they are not rich. When a person’s compassion had been triggered, everyone can be a savior to others.