One day the enthusiastic Volunteer team from Singapore and Malaysia went to Krishna Kohar's home in Lumbini, Nepal to assist with rice planting. After the rain ceased, the sky cleared, and everyone rolled up their pants, walking barefoot on the paths between the fields. They listened attentively as Krishna Kohar explained the intricacies of rice planting; they were experiencing something entirely new and feeling gratitude in their hearts as they bent down to work.
On June 17th, the Singaporean and Malaysian volunteers organized their first grand-scale book club event at Lumbini Gyan Prabha Basic School. On June 30th, they held the second event in the village of Amarganjuwa. During the busy farming season, the volunteers took on the role of farmers on the 29th to help Krishna Kohar's family with the important task of planting rice. The book club blossomed with joy during the rainy season; the volunteers hope that the seeds of knowledge sown during these events quietly take root and flourish.
Unforgettable Experience
From May to September each year, Nepal experiences its monsoon season, an ideal time for rice cultivation for the villagers who rely on agriculture for their livelihood. The unique geography and terrain of Nepal significantly influence agricultural development and production; many rural areas depend on agriculture to sustain the lives of residents.
In Lumbini, the rainy season arrives in June, providing an excellent opportunity for rice cultivation. Krishna Kohar, a Nepalese volunteer, and his family were no exception; and they were also responsible for catering for the book club event on the 30th. Balancing family duties and his volunteer commitments, Krishna Kohar felt the weight of this significant responsibility.
"We need to obtain their blessings to fulfill this task," said Kua Liang Ming (郭糧鳴), a Selangor volunteer, and the team worked tirelessly to make the book club a success. An idea struck Kua – everyone should pitch in to help with rice planting. "With more people, everything becomes easier, and it benefits everyone for a lifetime."
On the afternoon of the 29th, sixteen volunteers filled two cars and went to Krishna Kohar's home, aiming to lighten the workload for him and his family, so they could focus on preparing meals for the upcoming book club.
For the Singaporean and Malaysian volunteers, this rice planting became a cherished memory for a lifetime. They took off their shoes and socks, neatly placing them aside in the house, and then followed Krishna Kohar and his family to the fields. Walking barefoot on the ridges, Nepalese volunteers moved with swift steps, while the new volunteers proceeded cautiously, step by step.
Krishna Kohar demonstrated and explained the process of dividing a large bundle of seedlings into two, holding one in hand and using the other hand to pick up two or three seedlings with roots. With a gentle press of the thumb, he inserted the roots entirely into the soil. Although he described the process with ease, the Singaporean and Malaysian volunteers paid close attention, fearing that any mistake might add to Krishna Kohar's workload.
Standing in a row in the fields, everyone started planting rice. The muddy ground concealed the bottom, and each person's bare feet touched the earth that nurtures all living beings. The warmth of the soil and the profound connection to the land, which sustains all life, deeply resonated with the volunteers at that moment.
See You Tomorrow
"Is this the right way?" one Nepalese volunteer asked Krishna Kohar as he quickly planted the seedlings. Contrasting but amusing, it showcased the dedication and seriousness of the volunteers. "Bending over to work is not an easy task; after a while, it feels like our backs can't straighten," the volunteers chuckled, expressing their admiration for the hard work of the farmers.
After finishing one field, they moved on to another. With accumulated experience, their movements became more skillful, and laughter filled the air. The women playfully teased each other while working, and even the young Nepalese volunteers joined in the fun. The curious children watching from the side also got involved and ended up covered in mud, adding to the joyous atmosphere of the simple and rustic farm life.
"Once, the school principal told me that, in this community, a family with many children will develop faster," Kua Liang Ming could not comprehend it at first; one would think that more children would mean higher expenses. But now, being immersed in local farming, he understood the power of numbers. "I wondered why some children have to help with farming instead of going to school" -- now he found his answer while covered in mud.
As the sun set in the west, they finished planting the rice saplings through teamwork, and the sky gradually darkened. They hurried back to the village, inviting the villagers to join the book club the next day (June 30). The volunteers split into two groups, visiting each household along the roadsides in the village, recording the number of adults and children attending the event to estimate the meal quantities.
With around twenty households in the village, the kind and friendly villagers all expressed their interest, eagerly signing up to attend the book club. As they bid farewell in the dimly lit village, they promised, "See you tomorrow!"
Venue for Book Club
Early in the morning, the volunteers were awakened by the persistent rain. As they looked at the grey sky, Kua Liang Ming and Nepalese volunteer Santosh Maurya immediately set out to survey the previously chosen location for the book club. It was originally to be held under a big tree for the book club and dinner gathering -- but the muddy ground had made it unsuitable.
Driving through the rain in Amarganjuwa Village, the two of them observed the villagers' houses to find a suitable place for the book club. Finally, they settled on two households and approached the villagers to request the use of their space.
Upon receiving this good news, everyone felt relieved, and their enthusiasm soared as they continued with the preparations. The logistics team promptly consulted with the hotel's chef to arrange meals for 250 people, while also considering the villagers' preferences for ingredients during yesterday's meeting.
"Considering how busy the villagers are at this time, with farming and planting rice, they'll be exhausted after the work. So we decided to provide dinner for everyone, so they won't have to cook themselves," the team planned thoughtfully. After purchasing the necessary ingredients, the catering team headed to Krishna Kohar's home to prepare dinner; his house was close to the venue, and his family was eager to assist, providing valuable help for the book club.
Facing challenges, the team persisted. At the book club venue, the volunteers hurriedly unloaded under their thin raincoats, finishing the layout before the villagers arrived. Given the wet and slippery ground due to the rain, they decided to bring twenty portable beds to serve as chairs, allowing everyone to focus on the reading.
"Let's pray to the heavens for two hours of a successful book club. The rainwater is vital for the farmers; the fields need this rain." In the
rain, Kua Liang Ming led everyone in a sincere prayer with palms together, voicing their wishes to reach the heavens. Before long, the rain gradually lessened. Despite the delay caused by the efforts, it was inevitable that the book club would start later than originally scheduled. Therefore, the volunteers quickly picked up the microphone, walking in the rain, and announced loudly: "The book club starts at 7 o'clock. Please come on time for the reading."
In the dimming light, the villagers arrived one by one at the venue. The room was quickly filled with 120 adults and children. As a sign of respect, they had all changed into clean clothes. Eagerly anticipating the event, the villagers attentively listened to Lumbini Gyan Prabha Basic School Principal Moti Yadav as he shared Master Cheng Yen's work, Jing Si Aphorisms, using the local Awali language to guide them in receiving the wisdom of the Master.
Hari Mohan, a volunteer from the Tzu Chi Teachers’ Association, also shared stories told by the Master in the local dialect, imparting the concepts of "past and present lives" and "causes and consequences" with right faith and mindfulness. They left a deep impression on the listeners.
Keeping Promises
Having learned from their previous experience, the team divided the villagers into two groups – adults and children. The children's group gathered in the open space in front of a neighbor's house, where sixty-five excited kids happily sat on the portable beds. In a village where television was a luxury, the children's joyous laughter echoed as they watched cartoons together.
Volunteer Rabina Kasaudhan led everyone in sign language for Beautiful Flowers and We Are Family, while Bhisnu Gaud shared stories from Master Cheng Yen in the local Awali language. The children's laughter dispelled the gloomy atmosphere of the rainy night, and happiness radiated from their faces.
"Due to the heavy rain, the volunteers couldn't carry out activities as planned. They came to ask if they could use our home as a venue. Our house is still empty, and having so many people gather here is meaningful to me," said Saint Kuma, a generous villager who lent his house. He was deeply moved by the warm atmosphere that filled his home.
The book club lasted until 9 p.m. The thoughtful volunteer team prepared a sumptuous dinner for the villagers. Each person brought their own plates; with order and efficiency, they received the food to take back home. The children, however, were reluctant to leave. Even after receiving their dinner, they sat back down, their eyes wide open, unwilling to miss out on the captivating stories, eating and listening simultaneously.
"They lend us their space, their electricity, without asking for anything in return. They are grateful for us holding the village gathering in their homes," Kua Liang Ming remarked, surrounded by darkness. The village lacked streetlights, relying solely on the dim lights from homes. The volunteers united in their efforts, restored the venue, and distributed the remaining unopened food to these two kind-hearted villagers, demonstrating selfless love that transcended distinctions.
"Faithful prayers don't go unanswered. The rain really stopped when we prayed. When we finished packing up and were about to leave, it started raining again, and it continued for two more hours," Kua Liang Ming shared the touching moment. He emphasized: "We had already informed the villagers to come for dinner. We must not break our promises. As Master Cheng Yen said, 'Do what you say.' Even if the book club was canceled, we would still provide dinner, keeping our word."
The unwavering love of the Singaporean, Malaysian, and Nepalese volunteers binds them together. Faced with challenges and changes, they stand united, overcoming all difficulties. In the rainy season, they hope the seeds quietly germinate and look forward to the days when lush greenery will flourish like a forest.
A Jing Si Aphorism says: "Be honest and truthful in everything you do. Be kind and forgiving in our interactions with others."
Join Tzu Chi. Let us make this world a better place.
Story by Goh Lam Kia, Wang Yu Chan, Wu Xiu-ling |2023/07/19
