The annual Tzu Chi scholarship award ceremony in Melaka, Malaysia, highlights the transformative power of education and compassionate support. By recognizing both academic achievement and character development, the program helps students from diverse backgrounds discover their potential and pursue their aspirations. Each scholarship awarded celebrates not only the students’ dedication but also their families’ belief in education.

Government recognition for holistic development

Datuk Kalsom Noordin, the Melaka State Executive Councillor for Women, Family, and Community Development, attended the ceremony on behalf of the Chief Minister. She commended Tzu Chi’s commitment to charity and education, noting its inclusive approach in assisting families regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or background.

Datuk Kalsom emphasized the importance of character development alongside academic excellence, aligning with the state government’s vision. She stated：

To the children receiving these scholarships, this is not just recognition of your academic achievements, but also an affirmation and appreciation of the diligence, self-discipline, and noble values you have demonstrated throughout your studies. Please remember that this scholarship represents trust and responsibility. Continue to strive in your learning, uphold high moral standards, and give back to society when the time is right.
—Datuk Kalsom Noordin

Stories of resilience and aspiration

Karisni A/P Visvalingam, a middle school student who received the Academic Excellence and Character Award, shared her journey. “After my father passed away, our family faced many challenges. My mother’s salary was not enough to support us,” she recalled. “We are grateful to our teacher for introducing us to Tzu Chi volunteers. Since then, they have helped with my older sisters’ school transportation fees, provided online tutoring, and offered scholarships.” Karisni’s two older sisters, now in university and college, also received laptops from the volunteers. “Thank you, Tzu Chi, for helping us overcome our difficulties. I will study even harder and help those in need in the future, just as Tzu Chi helped us.”

Siti Aishah Binti Arshad expressed profound joy as her three children received their scholarships. Her second child, Nur Fadhilah Damia Binti Mohd Iszwan, a fourth-grader, lives with a chronic illness. Diagnosed with kidney cancer at two, Nur Fadhilah endured surgery and chemotherapy and now manages hypertension and heart disease, requiring frequent trips between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka for treatment. Despite these immense challenges, she remains cheerful and resilient.

Understanding her parents’ struggles and her brother’s constant care, Nur Fadhilah is highly self-motivated. Even when unwell, she studies diligently, using secondhand exercise books her mother finds. If she misses school, she proactively contacts classmates to catch up. Last semester, she ranked first in her class. This year, she and her brother received the Academic Excellence and Character Award, while her younger brother received the Character Award.

“Although I feel pain and being sick is hard, my mother told me there are others who suffer more,” she said optimistically. “So, I hope to become a doctor to help people like me who are ill. I will cooperate with my doctors’ treatments and study hard to make my parents proud.” Siti added, “I never imagined that my sick child could also receive such recognition. I cherish this opportunity and am so proud of them.”

Empowering rural students

Ladang Bukit Asahan Tamil School, located in a remote area, benefits from the Tzu Chi Campus After-School Tutoring Program. Three of its students, after a year in the program, showed significant academic improvement and attended the award ceremony.

Fifth-grader Deeksha Sri A/P Mogan, a top student, traveled over an hour for the event. With her father recently unemployed, she relies on the nutritious meals provided by the after-school program. “I love to read,” she shared, “but if it weren’t for the meals, I would skip lunch to save money for my family.”

Shashini A/P Praveen Nathan, also a fifth-grader from the same school, primarily speaks Tamil and English at home. She credits the after-school tutoring for improving her Malay language skills. “I hope to master Malay even better so I can communicate more fluently with people in the future,” she said. Her mother, Darshini A/P Madarajah, noted her daughter’s progress, finding peace of mind in the program’s support, which includes nutritious meals.

A grandfather’s enduring hope

Darmalechumy A/P Nathan, a cheerful ninth-grader, has been raised by her grandparents. “My family is very happy. My grandparents care for me just like my parents, and I share everything with them,” she expressed. Darmalechumy excels academically, ranking first in her grade, and is a school prefect. She studies diligently at school and helps her grandmother with chores, reserving late nights for focused study.

Her grandfather, Tamilselvam A/P Raman, who has heart disease, works odd jobs on plantations. Her grandmother occasionally takes orders for Indian pastries or does cleaning work to supplement their income. Tzu Chi volunteers began supporting the family in 2021 after Darmalechumy was nominated for a scholarship by her school, providing financial aid and educational support.

Tamilselvam expressed his pride. “She is very well-behaved, helps her grandmother at home, and is recognized at school,” he said. “Every year, seeing her receive the scholarship, knowing it’s an affirmation from the community, makes me very proud.” He worries about the lack of a computer at home, as Darmalechumy often uses her grandmother’s phone for research. He sometimes scolds her, fearing she’s spending too much time on the phone, only to realize she’s diligently working on her homework.

“I couldn’t get an education when I worked on the plantation. Life was hard, but I could still find work, but the future is different now,” he reflected. “I hope my granddaughter can get a good education, live a good life, and have the courage to face the future. That would make me content.”

Nurturing well-being

The afternoon session included a workshop on child and adolescent mental health led by registered and licensed counselor Ng Woan-Chi (黃婉琦). She discussed the challenges faced by the Alpha generation, who are immersed in the internet but often lack face-to-face communication skills.

Ng guided parents on understanding and supporting their adolescent children, advising them to seek reasons behind mistakes before assigning blame to build trust. For instance, a child skipping school might be experiencing bullying or isolation. She emphasized waiting until children are calm before offering guidance.

The counselor also stressed that parents are role models and that character and potential are as important as academic performance. She encouraged parents to affirm their children’s efforts, help them discover their talents, and seek professional help for unusual behaviors. Parents listened intently, nodding in agreement.

Rohayati Binti Ismail, attending with her three children, found the workshop highly valuable. Her sixth-grade son was recommended for a scholarship, and her older daughters had also received support in primary school. She expressed gratitude for Tzu Chi’s assistance in easing their financial burden at the start of each school year. Rohayati learned the importance of monitoring her children’s emotions and guiding them appropriately. She believes that understanding a situation before scolding will make children more receptive. She acknowledged that today’s children have their own opinions and that while academic success is important, knowing how to be a good person is essential. She plans to attend similar educational workshops to enhance her parenting knowledge.

Through its comprehensive educational support, from aiding rural students to empowering those facing health challenges, Tzu Chi continues to make a profound difference. The recognition and assistance provided not only highlight the children’s hard work but also spread compassion throughout society. As these young individuals move forward with renewed belief in themselves, their journeys symbolize the enduring power of hope.

Written by Low Siew Lian (羅秀蓮), Pock Shiew Fen (卜秀芬)