By Hui-Ling Lu, Ying-Hsiu Wang | India 

 

In the heart of Ganga Bigha village, nestled near Bodh Gaya, India, preparations are underway for Tzu Chi’s Year-End Blessing Ceremony in January 2025. Amid rehearsals and activities, an encounter with a ten-year-old boy has brought to light the silent struggles faced by many in this community—and the transformative power of compassion. 

Piang-Boon Tai (left) assists senior students, carefully observing their hand gestures for the performance. When students struggle, he patiently offers one-on-one guidance. | Photo by Chong-Yi Ong | India | 2024 

Since December 2023, Tzu Chi volunteers have run a tutoring program in Ganga Bigha, offering academic support to local children six days a week. Though limited in resources, the classroom has become a sanctuary for learning and growth. When the classroom was reopened after two weeks of closure for Diwali and Chhath Puja, volunteers were met with a daunting scene: garbage, animal droppings, and remnants of festive rituals littered the space. 

Ashish Kumar (right) was the first to arrive at the classroom. Given a broom by his teacher, he eagerly cleaned the space. Soya Kumari (left), an older student, soon joined the effort. | Photo by Chung-Yi Wang | India | 2024 

Undeterred, they cleaned and restored the classroom, turning it into a welcoming space once again. Among the first to arrive that day was Ashish Kumar, a boy with a quiet determination. Given a broom, he eagerly helped prepare the space for the day's lessons—a glimpse of his earnest character. 

A Troubling Discovery 

As the children rehearsed a sign language performance for the song Kneeling Lamb, Tzu Chi volunteer Lee-Hoon Chiew noticed something unusual about Ashish. His stomach appeared abnormally bloated and swollen, prompting her to gently inquire about his condition. With the help of local volunteer Chintu, who assisted with translation, Ashish revealed a history of health struggles. 

LEFT: Lee-Hoon Chiew (right) guides younger students in sign language and notices a child in red with an unusually bloated stomach. RIGHT: Local volunteer Chintu (right) assisted with translation, inquiring about the child’s medical history and family situation. | Photos by Chung-Yi Wang | India | 2024 

At just four years old, he had fallen from a height, injuring his liver and requiring surgery. Despite the operation, Ashish continued to experience pain, and his family, struggling to make ends meet, was unable to afford follow-up medical care. He recounted how, as a younger child, he had even eaten sand—an act stemming from malnutrition. 

A Glimpse into Ashish’s Life 

Determined to better understand his situation, volunteers visited Ashish’s home. The small, dilapidated structure reflected the hardships of his family. His father, a laborer earning a meager 4,000 INR (approx. 47 USD) a month, struggled to provide for Ashish and his three younger sisters, while his mother managed the household. With resources stretched thin, addressing Ashish’s medical needs had been an impossibility. 

Ashish Kumar’s parents recount his early years, “He used to eat sand as a child. At four, he fell from a height, injuring his liver had to undergo surgery.” | Photo by Chung-Yi Wang | India | 2024 

Hearing his story, the volunteers resolved to ensure that Ashish would receive the care he desperately needed. His case was promptly referred to Tzu Chi’s charity team to arrange for follow-up care and assistance. 

Hope in the Midst of Preparation 

Even as the Year-End Blessing Ceremony approaches, Ashish’s story has left a profound impact on the volunteers. The rehearsals for Kneeling Lamb, a song emphasizing filial piety, now carry deeper meaning. For Ashish and his classmates, the performance is more than an activity—it is a reflection of love and resilience. 

A lamb’s bleats echoed outside the classroom, perfectly aligning with the children’s Kneeling Lamb sign language song performance rehearsals, capturing a moment of sincerity and beauty. LOWER RIGHT: Children earnestly practice adaptation for Kneeling Lamb, their focus and innocence shining through. | Photos by Chung-Yi Wang | India | 2024 

As the volunteers returned to their lodging that evening in a quiet tuk-tuk ride, they carried the emotional weight of the day’s events. Witnessing Ashish’s struggles and his family’s resilience stirred a deep sense of responsibility within the team. 

Reflections of Compassion 

For Tzu Chi volunteers, preparations for the Year-End Blessing Ceremony are not merely about performances and logistics. They embody the essence of Tzu Chi’s mission: to spread compassion, foster gratitude, and uplift those in need. 

Ashish’s story is a reminder of the power of kindness to transform lives. In the heart of Ganga Bigha, amid the challenges and triumphs, a child’s journey has rekindled hope—not just for him, but for everyone involved.