The year 2024 opened the first humanity class for the scholars of Tzu Chi Bohol. This month’s theme ‘Love and Care for the Environment,’ emphasized the significance of environmental preservation by adopting a plant-based lifestyle in mitigating the worsening environmental degradation brought about by destructive human activities. It can be recalled that earlier this year, through year-end blessing events held in many parts of the globe, Tzu Chi Founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen sent a message of guidance to all Tzu Chi members to promote earth’s protection through good deeds and by embracing a vegetarian diet.
The two-day event was held on February 17 and 18 and saw active participation from 289 scholars. Brother Joven Uy, Tzu Chi Bohol Volunteer and Deputy Coordinator warmly addressed the scholars and encouraged them to engage in tree planting efforts in their communities detailing its environmental benefits. He further shared that growing trees especially Bamboos help generate a cooler atmosphere due to its capability to store carbon dioxide and produce oxygen faster than most types of trees.
That morning, Brother Rey Peñalosa delivered a comprehensive discussion on pressing environmental global issues and passed the baton to the scholars to propose solutions through a group workshop. The activity generated brilliant and innovative ideas which would help solve several of the world’s environmental dilemmas.
“When I visited (the Tzu Chi Youth Camp in) Taiwan, I discovered that plastics can be turned into clothing. This got me thinking that if we can make clothes from plastics, we could help homeless people who lack clothing. (However, since the equipment to turn plastic into fabric is not available in the country yet), one solution we propose is to exchange garbage for internet access instead of using money for internet cafes. This way, people will be motivated to dispose of garbage properly, keeping the environment clean.” shared by Tzu Chi certified youth Renz Boison as he took to the stage their group’s proposed “plastic for wifi” solution to plastic pollution. While another group proposed solutions to improve mindset, raise awareness, decluttering, and donate for waste generated by fast fashion and textile.
Second-year college student Riza Balaba reflected and pledged, “I vow as a Tzu Chi scholar to practice vegetarianism, I know it is easier said than done but I believe that if I have this initiative and desire to take action, I know that one day I can achieve this goal of being a vegetarian with the help of Tzu Chi.”
Later, a commitment tree was put up by the wall of the Tzu Chi Activity Hall to fortify the vows made and written by the scholars to help save mother nature and to remind them that the workshop was not just a mere brainstorming activity, but they have to eventually act on their vows as well.
One of the problems to climate change is wastage generated by animal slaughter and meat consumption by humans and while Tzu Chi has been advocating to go for vegetarian diet as a resolution to this, many has yet to learn on how to whip up vegetarian dishes to motivate one’s palate. Doing what he does best, Brother Ericson Go Giap showcased to the scholars an easy recipe to prepare and cook but a delicious one at that — the mixed vegetable soup which is set to impart a realization that one may not spend too much to gratify one’s hunger and taste bud. The 2-day classes were packed with programs that enriched the scholars to be part of the planet Earth’s healing and not add to its already worsening state. The days ended with each scholar receiving 2 tin cans of Jing Si multi-grain nutritional drink supplements from Tzu Chi to healthily aid them to be more purposeful and efficient in putting into action the vows they made to help save the environment.
Tzu Chi Staff, Emily Lacsado explaining the nutritional values of the Jing-Si multigrain supplement to the scholars.
