On July 26, 2025, the Tzu Chi Hambantota Office in Sri Lanka became a vibrant hub of learning, reflection, and action. Seventy-two volunteers—including energetic youths and experienced commissioners from both Colombo and Hambantota—gathered for a full day of training themed “Protecting the Earth with Compassion: From Awareness to Action.” What made this event especially meaningful was that every aspect—from planning and organizing to lecturing and meal preparation—was carried out entirely by local volunteers from both regions. This spirit of self-reliance and shared responsibility set the tone for a day dedicated to nurturing both environmental awareness and humanistic values.

Local Leadership, Collective Participation

The training was thoughtfully organized into seven teams, each guided by a commissioner serving as team leader. With eight to nine members per group, participants quickly found themselves immersed in a sense of camaraderie and purpose. Even the culinary team, who prepared vegetarian meals and refreshments in advance, joined the training, ensuring that everyone could fully participate in the day’s activities.

Learning for a Sustainable Future

The heart of the program lay in three interactive lectures, each delivered by local volunteers who brought their own experiences and insights to the topics.

The first session, “Energy & Everyday Sustainability,” was led by Siluni Nisandra, a Tzu Ching youth volunteer. She explored the differences between renewable and non-renewable energy, the environmental impact of daily electricity use, and practical ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint. Volunteers listened attentively, taking notes and discussing how small changes in daily habits could make a significant difference for the planet.

During the second lecture, “Compassionate Living,” Sanuli and Nimsarani, both Tzu Ching, encouraged participants to embrace a simpler, more mindful lifestyle. They highlighted the benefits of vegetarianism—not only for personal health, but also for the environment and animal welfare. The concept of “inter-being,” or the interconnectedness of all living beings, resonated deeply, inspiring volunteers to cultivate compassion and empathy in their daily lives.

A memorable group activity followed: each volunteer wrote their name on a balloon, which was then mixed with others. The challenge was to find their own balloon, but the real lesson emerged when participants realized that helping others find their balloons brought greater success and joy. This simple exercise illustrated the power of mutual support and the idea that true fulfillment comes from uplifting one another.

Another creative activity involved transforming a picture of an imperfect tree into a beautiful one by combining everyone’s fingerprints. The resulting artwork was a powerful reminder that collective effort can create lasting, positive change.

Cherishing Water, Cherishing Life

After a nourishing vegetarian lunch, the third lecture, “Water – A Gift to Cherish,” was delivered by Brother Arosha, the main contact person for Tzu Chi Sri Lanka. He spoke about the causes and effects of water scarcity, both globally and in Sri Lanka, and emphasized the importance of conservation. Volunteers calculated their own daily water consumption, sparking reflection on how everyday choices impact precious resources.

Throughout the day, participants listened to teachings, shared personal reflections, and sang the Tzu Chi Prayer Song together. In the final session, each volunteer wrote down a personal eco-promise—commitments to live more sustainably and compassionately in their own lives.

Frances Salome, a Volunteer from Colombo, shares:

“I’m truly grateful I was able to join the Tzu Chi training program today. It opened my eyes to how easily we can waste electricity—like leaving lights and fans on for hours while we get busy with other things and forget to turn them off. Moving forward, I want to be much more mindful about how I use electricity at home.

I also realized that I’ve been careless with water, often leaving the tap running while washing dishes without thinking about how much is being wasted. This not only affects our bills, but also reminds me that these resources are precious and not unlimited.

From now on, I’m determined to use water and electricity more responsibly, and to encourage my family and young people around me to do the same. I’m thankful for Master’s teachings, which inspire me to continue volunteering with a strong sense of purpose and responsibility.”

Voices of Growth and Gratitude

For many, the training was not just about learning facts, but about personal transformation. Sanuli, who co-presented for the first time, shared, “I learned a lot today. For the first time, I made a presentation and presented it with sister Nimsarani, who taught me so much. We made all the materials for the activities ourselves. I am really happy I got to do things like this with Tzu Chi.”

Nimsarani echoed this sentiment, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of organizing engaging group activities and keeping participants’ attention. “I learned how to present something in a way that others can understand, from creating a presentation to delivering it. And I learned how to create group activities that are engaging for others.”

Preksha, a Tzu Ching volunteer, reflected on her journey with Tzu Chi and the impact of the day’s lessons: “I joined Tzu Chi in the 2024 medical camp, and afterwards joined other activities such as the three-day Tzu Ching camp last March, and other charitable activities during my free time. Today we've learned about renewable and non-renewable energy and how we use it in our daily lives, water resources and saving water from the basic things that we do every day, and how to be compassionate towards others. I learned that my family actually uses a lot more water than we expected, and I have been thinking of ways to cut it down. I hope that in the future I can do a lot better in saving the planet.”                

Sithmi Ravindya described the program as “very productive,” noting how much she learned from both the lectures and the group activities. “Our brothers, sisters, aunts, and uncles explained things we didn’t know, and things we knew but didn’t know deeply, very clearly,” she said.

A Foundation for the Future

As the day concluded, the sense of unity and purpose among the volunteers was unmistakable. Through local leadership, shared learning, and a commitment to compassionate action, the training not only equipped participants with practical knowledge but also strengthened the bonds of community and the spirit of humanistic culture. The seeds planted in Sri Lanka will continue to grow, as each volunteer carries forward their eco-promises—protecting the Earth, nurturing compassion, and inspiring others by example.

Written by Victoria Paranavithana