30 members from Tzu Chi Singapore’s Entrepreneur Association and TIMA led by Tzu Chi Indonesia volunteers visited Nurul Iman Boarding School in West Java. On the day of their visit, 13,000 students and teachers sang two welcome songs: “Mothers are the Best in the World” and “One Family” in Chinese - it was a moving scene. A photo of Master Cheng Yen is hung next to a photo of the school’s founder, Habib Sagaf, in every classroom. Great Love transcends religious, racial, cultural and language barriers indeed. Picture:13,000 students and teaching staff sang “Mothers are the Best in the World” and “One Family” in Chinese to welcome the volunteers from Tzu Chi Singapore.

Founder of Nurul Iman Boarding School, Habib Sagaf, thanked Tzu Chi for giving them a low-interest loan that enabled them to purchase the land which they use to grow crops. As they are already self-sufficient, Tzu Chi no longer needs to distribute food to them.

Brother Ong Wee Heng, a convener of the Singapore Tzu Chi Entrepreneur Association, hoped that the Branch would organize a learning journey to Indonesia annually as he was very impressed with the work of Tzu Chi Indonesian volunteers. They are good role models whom the volunteers from Singapore can learn from.

Brother Lau Chee Kin(centre) commended the Indonesian volunteers for helping Nurul Iman Boarding School overcome their crisis with unconditional love. He witnessed their devotion when he saw over 10,000 people performed the Sign Language song of “One Family”.

Members from TIMA Singapore performed “A Tribute to the White Robe” in gratitude for their Indonesian Dharma brothers’ and sisters’ warm hospitality.

Transcending Religious and Racial Barriers

Al-Ashriyah Nurul Iman is a boarding school situated in West Java, a two and a half hour car ride from Jakarta. It was established by an Islamic Elder, Habib Sagaf, and takes in mainly orphans and children from poor families. Currently, there are about 13,000 students in the school. 

Tzu Chi got connected with Elder Habib during a rice distribution in aid of the school. Initially, they helped to improve their living conditions by distributing rice, establishing new sources of water and providing free medical services and also introduced Master Cheng Yen’s principle - “No Work, No Meal” - to them. Then, they undertook construction projects for the school, hostel and mosque. The huge lotus-shaped Tzu Chi logo on the roof symbolizes a breakthrough in religious exchange.           
 
On the day of the visit, the volunteers from Singapore were warmly welcomed by 13,000 students and teachers from Nurul Iman. Two neat rows of students each lining either side of the path sounded their drums as the Singapore team entered the school compound. Then, a group of students sang “Mothers are the Best in the World” and “One Family” in Chinese – it was a moving scene. Students of the school said they loved to sing “Mothers are the Best in the World” because they were very thankful to Master Cheng Yen who loved them dearly like a mother. Hence, they would sing the song when they thought of the Master.     

Closing Circle

Towards the end of the 3-day visit, the Singapore team, who had learned many valuable lessons, responded actively during the sharing session.

One of the conveners of the Singapore Tzu Chi Entrepreneur Association, Brother Zhang Zheng Chang, was deeply moved as he shared his thoughts. He said, “This is the first time in my life when I’m so touched that I can’t speak.” He was especially touched by the hospitality of the Indonesian volunteers and very grateful to them for all they had done for the Singapore team and the needy in Indonesia. He said that he had never been under the same roof as 13,000 children and heard them sing “Mothers are the Best in the World”. Tears rolled down his face uncontrollably as he witnessed that.            
Another convener, Brother Ong Wee Heng, hoped that the Singapore Tzu Chi Entrepreneur Association could arrange its annual retreat once in Indonesia and once in Taiwan each year. He said, “Singapore has many things in common with Indonesia. Singapore spent 10 years cleaning the Singapore River whereas it only took a few years to clean Angke River in Indonesia, which is really impressive. You can not only watch Da Ai TV channels but also produce Da Ai TV programmes here. It is with regret that Singapore remains the only country in the world which does not allow access to Da Ai TV channel directly.”

Brother Alan Gwee said, “I did not have a good impression of Muslims in the past. After visiting the boarding school and being warmly welcomed by the children who even sang “Mothers are the Best in the World” in Chinese, my opinion has changed completely.” All his prejudice vanished when he witnessed how respectfully Brother Yuan and Elder Habib treated each other and saw pictures of the Master and the Elder being hung next to each other – indeed, compassion knows no boundaries. He said, “If there is peace, children will be safe in the future.”      

Brother Lau Chee Kin, who often watches “Life Wisdom”, said, “The Master said she only had to humble herself.” When I see more than 10,000 people singing “One Family”, I wonder why they are willing to do that. I think the Indonesian Tzu Chi brothers and sisters are really able to humble themselves. We’ve come here to be educated. In Singapore, what we thought was too difficult to do is being accomplished in Indonesia.”

There were countless touching stories to share. The Singapore team was deeply moved by what they have learnt and very grateful to Tzu Chi Indonesia Branch for their effort and warm hospitality. Hopefully, they are able to put what they have learnt into actions when they return home and tread on Tzu Chi Bodhisattva path with steadfastness.