The first Jing Si Reading Space in Africa officially opened on September 9, 2025, at Addington Primary School in Durban, South Africa. This event marks a significant milestone in Tzu Chi's 25-year commitment to the school, where its efforts have long focused on nurturing character through education. Approximately 150 people attended the inauguration, celebrating a new chapter in the school's journey to empower its students.

Cultivating Character Through Reading

For years, Tzu Chi volunteers in South Africa have supported Addington Primary School through various initiatives, including financial assistance, infrastructure improvements, and the integration of Jing Si Aphorisms into moral education. During a visit by the Taiwan Africa Care Team, Tzu Chi’s Vice President Pi-Yu Lin (林靜憪) observed the school's computer and multi-purpose classrooms. With 37 classes sharing one computer lab, she noted the limited access to technology for students in this digital age. She suggested installing computers in the new reading space to enhance research opportunities and offered Tzu Chi's support to address this gap.

The inauguration ceremony saw Vice President Lin, Principal Raj Moodley, and Education Bureau official Mr. T Mavundla jointly unveil the reading space. Former Principal Gail Teunissen, who retired 15 years ago after 22 years at the school and was the first principal to connect with Tzu Chi, was also present. She expressed deep gratitude for Tzu Chi's extensive help to the school, shedding tears of emotion as she witnessed the opening of the Jing Si Reading Space.

The reading space features a wall adorned with eleven virtues, including gratitude, compassion, filial piety, and responsibility, all central to the Jing Si Aphorisms curriculum. This focus on moral education aims to help more students develop strong ethical foundations.

A Gateway to Growth and Knowledge

Principal Raj Moodley emphasized that the new Jing Si Reading Space represents a continuous upgrade of the school's facilities, benefiting student learning and serving as a crucial milestone for the community. He stated, "The books inside can become a center for learning, creativity, and innovation; it is a place to cultivate love, and a gateway to growth. This place has undoubtedly transformed into a vibrant and inclusive space that will inspire future leaders' curiosity, creativity, and love for learning."

Statistics reveal a challenging landscape for literacy in South Africa, with approximately 80% of learners understanding individual words but struggling with comprehension. Principal Moodley attributed this to a lack of educational resources and limited access to learning materials. He believes that initiatives like the reading space, coupled with mother-tongue instruction and increased funding for teaching stages, can significantly improve literacy rates. "Schools have a responsibility to instill a culture of teamwork and teaching, bringing reading back to its fundamentals," he added, expressing gratitude for the space's potential to foster creativity and enhance children's reading abilities and knowledge.

Education Bureau official Mr. Mavundla echoed these sentiments, calling the opening of the reading space for future generations "an exciting journey." He affirmed, "Our responsibility is to nurture the next generation to become responsible citizens, to become a leading nation, looking forward to a bright future."

Sustaining Love and Education

Vice President Lin shared the story of Tzu Chi's origins in 1966, when Master Cheng Yen encouraged housewives to save a small amount of money daily. This collective effort has since grown, extending love to 136 countries and regions.

Tzu Chi's love is blossoming in South Africa . Reading can open children's horizons and cultivate imagination. Walking into the library, I feel the infinite possibilities of education.—Pi-Yu Lin, Vice President of Tzu Chi Foundation

She emphasized that education transcends textbook knowledge, embodying the practice of gratitude, respect, and love. "As long as love is put into action, it can change children and society," she asserted. Vice President Lin expressed hope for a sister-school partnership with Addington Primary School, facilitating monthly video exchanges for students to learn from each other, grow together, and explore Chinese language and culture. "May we join hands to let the power of love and education continue forever," she concluded.

The Vice Principal of Addington Primary School highlighted that Tzu Chi is renowned globally not only for its humanitarian work but also for its core values. This sponsorship, she noted, helps plant seeds of hope, wisdom, and virtue in children. He added that the rich content of the reading space will improve the learning environment and foster holistic education, developing character, empathy, resilience, and global responsibility, aligning with humanistic culture and universal respect. He extended gratitude to all supporting vendors on behalf of the school.

A Vision for Educational Hope

Local Tzu Chi Commissioner Thandazile Change exemplifies the spirit of giving. Despite her own financial struggles, she dedicates herself to cooking hot meals for orphaned children in her community. During a home visit, she shared how Tzu Chi taught her to love and help others. Even when faced with rejection, she perseveres, explaining that Tzu Chi offers "love." She grows her own vegetables to cook for her fellow villagers.

Bulelwa Ndaleni, a 27-year-old villager, expressed, "Grandma Thandazile Change loves us very much. When we need help, Grandma comes to my house, letting me understand Tzu Chi and know Master Cheng Yen." Vice President Lin encouraged Bulelwa to assist Thandazile with her vegetable garden and help those in need as Thandazile ages.

The care team also distributed rice to households in the village, bringing a measure of warmth to those in overlooked corners of society. Vice President Lin suggested that Tzu Chi volunteers explore ways to improve Thandazile's living conditions, perhaps through a monthly living allowance, ensuring she has the capacity to continue caring for others.

Reflecting on the challenges in South Africa, including public safety issues linked to education, lifestyle, and environment, Vice President Lin emphasized that only education can bring true change. She recounted a story from Taiwan two decades ago, where a young man contemplating a bank robbery found a copy of Jing Si Aphorisms. Reading the line, "Include me in doing good deeds; exclude me in evil deeds," he immediately abandoned his plan. He later wrote, "I’m thankful that Jing Si aphorism saved me."

We must promote Jing Si Aphorisms education. It might be difficult at first, but as long as we take root in one school and create a highlight, it can influence more teachers and students. The education mission in South Africa is just beginning, and Tzu Chi members are the most important force. Please persevere in your initial aspiration and continue to move forward with dedication. As long as we keep working hard, the hope for education in South Africa will surely be seen. —Pi-Yu Lin, Vice President of Tzu Chi Foundation

Written by Mei-Ling Chang (張美齡), Wayne Wu (吳瑞祥)

Source: 非洲靜思閱讀空間啟用 南非德本教育起步