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First 2010 Jian-Xi Volunteers' Training Course at Tzu Chi Kuching |
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By Tan Pui Lee, Kuching
Translated by Ng Chong Seau Horng |
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For Tzu Chi Kuching's first 2010 Jian-Xi Volunteers' Training Course, three speakers from its KL Office were invited to share their Tzu Chi's experiences with 130 volunteers from Sibu and Kuching.
Bilingual volunteers help the English-speaking volunteers to understand the course by doing instant interpreting for them.【Photograph by Tan Pui Lee】 |
"Time is running out! Time is running out! This is what we hear from the Master everyday, and as the days pass, we become more anxious..." shared Master De Fan.
Master De Fan said that, "The life-cycle of the Earth, like everything else in the world, goes through a process of formation-continuation-destruction-void. Human beings are the greatest culprits of earth's destruction. As the population grows and the moral standard drops, it speeds up the life-cycle of earth." She added that, "All Tzu Chi volunteers are urged to work in the missions with great expectation of "working for Buddhism and for all sentient beings". There is a tug of war between good and evil now, and Tzu Chi plays a vital role in purifying human minds.
On February 27, 2010, the Kuching Chapter held its first training course for its 130 volunteers, including 20 from Sibu. Three volunteers from the KL Chapter were invited to conduct a few lectures and share their experiences with the participants.
The purpose of the training is to provide all Tzu Chi's 'Jian-Xi' volunteers with the understanding of the concept and philosophy of Tzu Chi through benchmark lectures and audio-visual presentations. The training made it clear to the participants what is expected of them in terms of work and behaviour; and it also helped them to begin the process of practising and incorporating Tzu Chi's ways of acting and doing things.
Ways to recruit new members
Kuala Lumpur volunteer, Brother Song Quek Khian said, "You talk about Tzu Chi whenever you meet someone. This is the commitment of every individual volunteer. Armed with a few posters, we go to the wet market every Saturday in groups of 3 or 4, and talk to the passers-by about Tzu Chi."
He told the attendees that the main purpose is to implant seeds of goodness in the hearts of the passers-by, besides recruiting them as Tzu Chi donating members.
"We are fortunate because most of them are already aware of Tzu Chi, but they did not have the opportunity to come into contact with Tzu Chi volunteers," Brother Song remarked. According to him, the key factor to success is persistence. Often, one of the biggest mistakes that people make is to give up too soon.
"We must not fall prey to prejudice of any kind. Open your mouth, and the opportunity is there for you." Another Kuala Lumpur volunteer, Brother Ho Wing Hong said he used to be shy and was afraid of recruiting donating members. When he finally managed to overcome the fear of rejection, he would talk to anyone he met about Tzu Chi. Only then did he find that it was much easier than he thought.
Opportunity is everywhere
"Wherever we are, we can talk to anyone anything about Tzu Chi, from charity to environmental protection..." Brother Ho said that he has incorporated Tzu Chi into his daily life. He would talk to anyone he comes into contact with about Tzu Chi. "Opportunity is everywhere. You just have to look," he added.
Brother Ho also expressed that he always has a sense of satisfaction when his members finally become Tzu Chi's volunteers and find happiness in Tzu Chi.
Brother Tey Siong Chow shared that "The recycling centre is also a good place to recruit members. The volunteers should not emphasize solely about recycling, but should find every single opportunity to talk and convince the public, who hand in their recyclable items, to become Tzu Chi's members or volunteers."
He further explained how he has been working in a team with other volunteers. Besides taking part in recycling, they also make an effort to recruit members.
As there were a few English-speaking trainees, the Organising Committee had arranged for three interpreters to carry out instant translations for them thereby ensuing that they could fully comprehend the course contents.
Everyone counts
Time flies like an arrow. A wise man will make use of every single second to build good relationships with others so as to accumulate merits and blessings.
Scientists said that more frequent extreme weather is one of the signs of global warming, which is a clear indication that the earth is at risk. It is feared that international aid will not be able is keep up with the impact of global warming. Only if we can really take care of our hearts and minds, then the earth's weather-induced disasters can be alleviated.
It is, therefore, imperative that every Tzu Chi volunteer should accomplish the mission of recruiting members and volunteers. The more seeds of goodness we plant in this world, the less will be the occurrence of disasters. Only then will the world be peaceful.
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Brother Tey Siong Chow shares how he recruits new members at the recycling stations. | |
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