As 2011 draws to a close, Tzu Chi Singapore made good use of the Christmas holiday to organize the last New Volunteers’ Training session of the year on 26 December. Many new volunteers who started participating in community recycling and volunteering in the Tzu Chi Free Clinics registered for this event, taking the opportunity to understand and learn more about Tzu Chi.

Tzu Chi Singapore Branch’s ‘Seeds of Hope’ Bursary Programme has entered its third year. This year, apart from primary and secondary school students, ITE students also benefit from the programme. Close to 2900 students from a total of 57 secondary schools, 19 primary schools, nine welfare homes and three Institute of Technical Education (ITEs) are awarded the 'Seeds of Hope' bursaries. Before school starts in 2012, Tzu Chi organized and held five heartwarming presentation ceremonies for the students and their parents. The performances put up by students deeply touched all at the ceremony.

The ‘Seeds of Hope’ (SOH) Bursary Programme was launched in 2009 and is entering its fourth phase. It provides bursaries for meal and transportation allowances for students in low-income families.

Nine volunteers serving in the northern part of Singapore are the pioneer batch of volunteers to participate in this effort. They call themselves the "Nine Sisters.

‘Seeds of Hope’ (SOH) Bursary Programme was implemented three years ago by Tzu Chi Singapore to provide meal and transport subsidies for less privileged students. From 2012, the programme has been extended to cover more schools, welfare homes and also the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). During the bursary presentation ceremony on 17 December 2011, families and beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the assistance given with some have even stepped forward to volunteer their time to contribute back to society.

Tzu Chi Singapore and the North West Community Development Council will be collaborating on the development of a recycling scheme as part of the CDC's 10-year Eco Plan. Its mayor, Dr Teo Ho Pin, who is also the Chairman of Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council, identifies with Tzu Chi Singapore's proposal of setting up an educational recycling station in the community and invited the Foundation to have a dialogue session with his residents during a recent town hall meeting.

Tzu Chi recently conducted a large-scale aid relief distribution to flood victims living in the Chroy Changvar commune at east Phnom Penh. 145 volunteers from Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia worked tirelessly to distribute relief items to 888 households from five villages. Wide smiles were spotted on the faces of villagers, who were visibly pleased and grateful to receive the supplies.

As soon as the Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia finished conducting their first large-scale distribution in the Chroy Changvar commune in east Phnom Penh, they held the country's first Tzu Chi Year-End Blessing Ceremony that same evening. A total of 140 people participated, amongst whom 29 decided to put on the grey uniform to become full-fledged Tzu Chi volunteers.

Tzu Chi recently organized a relief effort at the outskirt of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 22 volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia, together with the advance team started work ahead of the distribution and during the process, experiences were shared and the message of “Gratitude, Respect and Love” was strongly felt throughout the relief operation.