SOH beneficiary and former prize recipient Poh Wei Lun (right) is one of the emcees at the Merit Awards Presentation Ceremony this year. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
On 24 December 2022, Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) held the Seeds of Hope ("SOH") Merit Awards Presentation Ceremony (2022) under the theme of ‘Sow the seeds of hope’. A total of 110 awards were presented to 56 SOH beneficiaries. The SOH Merit Awards encourage students to develop their potential and talent in different areas. The awards presented were Diligence Award, Academic Excellence Award, Academic Progress Award, Filial Piety Award, Special Talent Award and Conduct Progress Award.
One of the “seeds” has grown into a “little tree”. Thankful for Tzu Chi’s companionship and care, Poh Wei Lun, who won the Diligence Award and the Filial Piety Award in 2021, transformed from being a prize recipient last year to becoming the emcee of the ceremony this year. He returned the abundance of love he received in action and encouraged the junior students at the ceremony.
Nurturing children with sincere care and concern
Mr Koh Lian Thong had a series of post-surgery complications after having a brain tumour removed 11 years ago. He couldn't eat and had to rely on formula milk to survive. He also lost his ability to work and care for himself. Mrs Koh had to shoulder the financial burden of the family on top of caring for her husband and daughter due to her husband's illness.
Life has been challenging for the whole family ever since. Volunteer Lo Hsu Hsueh Yu recalled that when she first visited the family to conduct an assessment, Koh Qian Yi was only a three-year-old girl while Mr Koh was lying sick at home with a sad look in his eyes. To motivate Mr Koh, Lo Hsu Hsueh Yu used a tablet and allowed him to choose a 'Life Wisdom' video, explaining that the content of the Life Wisdom videos was Master Cheng Yen's teachings and blessings for him. Mr Koh chose a title about the agony of falling ill and the meaning of life. He watched the 12-minute video intently and thoughtfully as he gradually opened up his mind.
Time flies, and their daughter soon turns 14 years old. Under Tzu Chi's care, the three Koh family members gradually overcame their adversities while listening to Buddhist teachings. Mrs Koh said with tears in her eyes, "Tzu Chi came to us when we were in the pit. When impermanence occurs, we should face it and not run away from it."
Mr Koh began to accept and face his illness after being introduced to Buddhism and learning about karma and suffering. He expressed his gratitude by saying, "Tzu Chi has been with us for 11 years and has instilled in our daughter the right values. She has grown up to be a child with good character and filial piety."
SOH beneficiary Koh Qian Yi (right) serving tea to her parents. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Akif and his younger sister, Tiara, took the stage with their mother and volunteer, Toh Chin Keong, to share their experiences. Akif won the Character Excellence Award, while Tiara was awarded the Learning Progress Award and the Filial Piety Award. Both were participants of the ‘Mentoring with Love’ online programme.
Akif admitted that he was very nervous before the examinations and was not motivated to revise his work. Fortunately, his family, friends and Tzu Chi volunteers supported and motivated him during this period, helping him to regain his confidence. Due to that, Akif began spending three hours per day revising his homework and eventually achieved excellent exam results.
Tiara appreciates her mother's emotional support and encouragement. She recalled that when she failed a mid-year paper, her mother did not chastise her but instead encouraged her to work harder and revise her work more frequently. Tiara eventually managed to get good grades in the year-end exams.
Hearing how sensible and filial the children are, their mother who stood next to them on the stage, started shedding tears. Volunteer Toh Chin Keong said, "I am very proud of the children’s development, and I admire the support and encouragement their mother has given to them. She is a role model to Tiara and Akif".
Akif (second from right) and his younger sister, Tiara (second from left), accompanied by their mother and volunteer Toh Chin Keong (first from right), share their experiences on stage. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Children serve tea to thank their parents
After the award ceremony, the children lined up at the tea area to wait for their turn to serve their parents a cup of tea of appreciation. The parents' faces were filled with emotion after accepting the tea offered by their children, and some returned the gesture with a big hug. It was a heart-warming and moving moment for everyone.
Shu Ting (not her real name), who received the Moral Excellence Award and the Filial Piety Award, kneeled to serve tea to her wheelchair-bound father. He looked lovingly at his daughter and drank the tea slowly, bringing Shu Ting to tears. Her father was in financial difficulty a few months ago due to the costs of his kidney dialysis, but with the company and care of Tzu Chi volunteers, Shu Ting was able to continue with her studies without disruption. With tears in her eyes, the sensible Shu Ting stated, "This is the first time I've served tea to my father. I never had the chance to thank my father, but I am eternally grateful to him for raising me."
A parent giving her child a hug after accepting the tea offered by her child. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
"The next recipient is Tan Jia Le!"
When the emcee announced his name as a recipient of the Academic Progress Award, the Filial Piety Award and the Conduct Progress Award, Tan Jia Le’s mother, Mabel Leow, sitting in the audience, raised her mobile phone excitedly and took photographs of her son accepting the awards on stage.
Mabel Leow found the tea ceremony to be significant and meaningful. She remarked, "To be honest, the parents were not expecting a tea serving session today. We are very grateful because tea serving is a Chinese tradition for repaying kindness. We hope that children will carry on this tradition from generation to generation."
Tan Jia Le, who is shy in nature, thanked Tzu Chi for presenting the awards and for arranging for the tea-serving ceremony which allowed him to express his gratitude for mother's kindness and upbringing.
Mabel Leow (right) and her son, Tan Jia Le (left). (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
The annual award ceremony has once again witnessed the growth and change in the children. The SOH Merit Awards have illuminated the learners’ pathway with love, encouraging the children to continue to develop good habits and attitudes and to create their future even under challenging circumstances.
“Santa Claus” distributing gifts to everyone at the end of the ceremony to spread love and joy on Christmas Eve. (Photo by Chua Teong Seng)
Share 
