Community: myeducationmission
Branch: 馬來西亞分會
Cross-Border Youth Gather to “Seeing Myself”
Hearts Reflecting Hearts, Lives Inspiring Lives
Youth is not only about joyful gatherings, but also about rediscovering oneself through meaningful interactions.
On July 18, 2026, Tzu Chi Malaysia’s Senior Youth Life Education Class held a life education program themed “Discovering Yourself” at the Penang Tzu Chi Education Centre. Young participants from China were specially invited to join the program, marking the beginning of a three-month series of classes from July to September. Through cross-cultural exchange, the youths were encouraged to grow by learning, sharing, and supporting one another.
In the afternoon, participants arrived and watched a video highlighting the activities and memorable moments from the 2025–2026 program. The photos and videos reflected their journey of learning, service, and personal growth, while reminding everyone of the original aspiration that brought them together.
Later, under the guidance of senior volunteer Chang Wen-Huai, all participants entered the West Hall, where the youth delegates from China warmly welcomed them with smiles and enthusiastic applause. The warm reception quickly dissolved any initial unfamiliarity and set the tone for a meaningful exchange.
Following an energetic opening dance, Chang introduced the visiting youths and shared the objectives for the upcoming three months. He encouraged participants to continue learning through practice, discover their strengths, overcome personal limitations, and confidently present their achievements at the graduation ceremony in September.
The program centered on four themes: “Who Am I?”, “Dreams”, “Doing Good and Honoring Our Parents Without Delay”, and “Changing Our Perspective.” Participants freely chose their groups according to their interests and worked alongside the visiting youths from China in discussions, creative projects, and sharing sessions.
Some contributed ideas, others illustrated posters or recorded key points, while many courageously shared their personal life stories. Coming from different backgrounds and life experiences, the youths inspired one another through open dialogue and attentive listening, gaining fresh perspectives along the way.
Some rediscovered who they were, while others found the courage to express their dreams. Some learned to cherish their loved ones more deeply through discussions on kindness and filial piety, while others discovered new ways of facing challenges by changing their perspective. Every conversation became an opportunity for self-reflection, and every act of listening opened new possibilities for growth.
The interactions continued during the tea break as participants refined their presentations. Through creative displays, short dramas, and heartfelt sharing, each group showcased its teamwork, creativity, and reflections. The visiting youths also offered encouragement and thoughtful feedback, guiding participants to view life’s values from different perspectives and transforming the presentations into a meaningful learning experience.
At the conclusion of the program, the youth delegates from China shared what they had gained from the exchange and presented small friendship gifts to the participants. Tzu Chi volunteers also prepared appreciation gifts in return. The day ended with a group photo, capturing a memorable moment of friendship that transcended geographical boundaries.
The July session marked only the beginning. Over the next two months, participants will continue exploring the four themes, refining their projects, and preparing for the September graduation ceremony, where they will showcase their growth through exhibitions, stage performances, and personal life stories.
Life education is not about finding a single correct answer. Rather, it is about understanding ourselves more deeply while learning to appreciate others through sincere interaction. When young people are willing to listen with empathy and share with sincerity, kindness continues to spread from one person to another. One life inspires another, allowing the light of compassion to shine on, and enabling youth to flourish through service, learning, and personal growth.
