Hsiulian Chu, Shuxian Ho | India  

In May, India faced a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 50°C, causing heatstroke. By June, temperatures stayed above 40°C, leading to school closures in Bodh Gaya. Despite this, Tzu Chi volunteers continued their work at the community center, preparing lesson plans and hosting workshops without interruption.

Overcoming the Heat with Dedication

On June 20, as schools reopened, the education team resumed Jing Si Aphorism teachings at Rajkiyekrit High School Moratal and Chhanch Middle School. Tzu Chi volunteers in India decided to distribute backpacks to students in grades 1-5 at Buddha Gyan Niketan Residential School, where they had been visiting for over a year now.

To avoid the intense daytime heat exceeding 40°C, the volunteers left early. With the distribution scheduled for 6:35 a.m. on June 24, they woke up at 4:00 a.m., prepared, and departed at 5:10 a.m. to set up at the school.

At Buddha Gyan Niketan, most students are boarders from disadvantaged backgrounds. Initially feeling shy by the arrival of nearly thirty volunteers, the students soon felt at ease as Kok Heong Lee and Sor Tho Ng led fun warm-up games.

Putting on Backpacks and Happily Returning to the Classroom

By 6:30 a.m., everything was set for the event to begin. The program started with a skit about Tzu Chi’s "Bamboo Bank Era," demonstrating how the backpacks were made possible through the collective love and effort of many people. Volunteers then led a sign language performance of the Hindi version of the "Bamboo Bank Era" song, illustrating how small savings, like one or five rupees, can accumulate to make a significant impact.

Rahul Kumar, a teacher at Buddha Gyan Niketan Residential School, extended heartfelt thanks to the Tzu Chi Foundation and its volunteers on behalf of the entire school. Kean Yee Khoo, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Singapore, encouraged the students to be grateful and respectful towards their school and teachers. He recognized the challenges faced and the dedication shown by both students and staff, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and love, even in constrained spaces.

Khoo stated, "For 58 years, Tzu Chi's spirit of the Bamboo Bank has remained steadfast, and Master Cheng Yen’s love for all beings has been unwavering. Tzu Chi has aided 136 countries, and I am honored to bring love and blessings here on behalf of the Master and Tzu Chi members worldwide."

Humanistic culture teacher Deepa Singh held up a backpack while Deepak Kumar explained in Hindi where the backpacks originated, hoping the students would value them.

Following another sign language session with the Hindi version of "Love in the Heart," students lined up to receive their backpacks from Tzu Chi volunteers and teachers. With 143 students from grades one to five attending, the distribution concluded successfully at 7:50 a.m. The children, thrilled with their new backpacks, returned to their classrooms, delighted by this rare luxury.

Integrating Jing Si Aphorisms: Cherishing What You Have

After the backpack distribution, the education team continued their efforts at the community center, bringing posters with the Jing Si Aphorism: "Cherish and be content with what you have." Local volunteer teachers incorporated these teachings into their lessons to emphasize the value of the new backpacks.

During the following half hour, teachers instructed the children on how to properly store and care for their new backpacks to avoid damage and maintain cleanliness. Humanistic culture teacher Sweety Raj reminded the students that these backpacks were made possible through the dedication of the Master, the monastic community, and numerous generous donors, highlighting the importance of appreciating these gifts.

Upendra Kumar, another humanistic culture teacher, encouraged students to express their gratitude to Master Cheng Yen. He advised them to keep their surroundings clean and take good care of their belongings. "Don’t damage anything. Embrace Tzu Chi’s spirit by helping and caring for those in need," he said.

First-grader Anjali Kumari expressed her excitement about her new backpack. "I am very happy today because I got a new backpack. I didn’t have one before, and now I will take care of it. I used to carry my notebooks in my hands, but now I will put them in my backpack."

Nishant Kumar also shared his gratitude, saying, “After seeing the performance, I understand that these backpacks were donated by many people, even those with limited means. We should take good care of them and not use them for other purposes, like storing clothes or food. I’m thankful for the generous help from everyone who contributed.”

Second-grader Suhani Kumari said, “We need to take good care of our backpacks and keep them clean. If my younger siblings show interest, I will tell them not to do anything that might damage the backpack.”

Manish Kumar, another second-grader, added, “I will take good care of my backpack. Since I live in the dormitory, if my parents call me, I will tell them that I received a backpack from Master Cheng Yen. I’m very grateful to Master Cheng Yen because I really like this backpack.”

Fourth-graders Ravi Kumar and Shina Kumari noted that, previously, they did not have backpacks and had to carry their notebooks by hand, which often got dirty or wet. With their new backpacks, they promised to keep them clean and well-maintained. Shina also mentioned that she learned a lot today, realizing that the backpack is a blessing from Master Cheng Yen. She plans to embrace the spirit of the "Bamboo Bank Era" by keeping her belongings organized at home and placing her books and notebooks in the backpack to keep them in good condition. “Thank you to Master Cheng Yen and all the Tzu Chi volunteers,” she said.

The disparity between the rich and poor is stark. While India’s wealthiest spend millions on extravagant weddings, rural children often lack even a decent backpack. Education serves as a beacon of hope. With the parents committed to their children’s education, and the children are eager to learn, poverty should not hinder education or the well-being of children. As we continue to nurture these children with love, may the education they receive help them break free from the cycle of poverty and transform their futures.