![The Tzu Chi youths and volunteers, along with the ALC students, collaborated to produce balls using plastic bags and Raffia strings. [Photo by Low Get Lee]](/images/Articles/JY/2024/KL20240701_lyl01_035.jpg "The Tzu Chi youths and volunteers, along with the ALC students, collaborated to produce balls using plastic bags and Raffia strings. [Photo by Low Get Lee]")
On June 29, 2024, a group of 27 secondary school students from TCISKL’s Tzu Chi Youth Association (TCYA), accompanied by teachers and Tzu Chi volunteers from the Tzu-Cheng and Yi-Te Association, flew to Sandakan, Sabah, for a five-day volunteer service trip. Their itinerary included participating in free clinics, distributing supplies, visiting a landfill, and spending time with stateless students at a Tzu Chi Alternative Learning Centre (ALC) — a series of experiences that profoundly impacted their souls.
On July 1, 2024, the Tzu Chi youths conducted a lesson themed “Safeguard the Environment and Earth”, sharing with stateless children at the ALC the issue of water pollution, the importance of environmental protection, and how to make eco-bricks. Together, the Tzu Chi youths and stateless children crafted balls from plastic bags and raffia strings, which they then used for games while the teachers cheered them on. The activity not only brought fun but also inspired the children to reuse common items.
“The students were earnest and actively engaged with us. I was especially delighted to see how they enjoyed playing with the plastic balls. It made all our efforts worthwhile,” shared Cheah Ethan.
◎An unforgettable experience
After the lesson, the Tzu Chi youths divided into groups, to accompany six stateless students home to experience a day in their lives. Most stateless students live in Kampung Letat along the mangroves, but Almaida’s home is further away, requiring a boat ride to the other side of the mangroves.
As Almaida’s father has been ill, the family relies on her mother’s cleaning job for their livelihood. After school, Almaida also works as a cleaner to help support her family. Despite this, her diligence keeps her excelling academically, and her clean and tidy home is adorned with her certificates and medals.
Sitting in a sampan boat steered by Almaida’s seven-year-old brother and watching as his small frame occasionally jumped into the murky waters to push the boat forward, Teoh Wei Xin felt the family’s hospitality and admired their courage, resilience, and tenacity in facing life.
This home visit greatly inspired her: “What we take for granted may be a distant dream for them. They have little but are immensely grateful and cherish everything they have. We are fortunate, with so much to be thankful for, and should not complain or constantly seek more.”
“Personally, this journey has reminded me of the importance of empathy and gratitude in our lives. I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and I’m committed to continuing this meaningful work in any way I can. Together, we can strive towards a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has a chance to thrive and fulfil their potential,” shared Lee Ka Shieng at the end of the trip.
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The brief volunteer service allowed the Tzu Chi youths to participate in various activities, bringing to life the humanistic concepts learned at school while providing revelations about life.
