“Heart of a Child's” first guest- Chch Heart Association

In the afternoon of November 30th, “Heart of a Child” Week rolled off to a start with the Christchurch branch of New Zealand Heart Association for Children bringing little ones Summer, Georgia, Amy and Corey- aged from 5 years old to 13-year-old- to attend the week-long event at Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple. The children were accompanied by parents Lee-anne, Leona, Trevor, Anne and Jenny.

The main objective of the Heart Association is to provide the best care and support for New Zealand children living with heart disease by helping to cover the cost of surgery, reducing the strain on the families caused by the suffering, preventing premature death due to heart disease, as well as publishing research journals on children's heart disease.

The session commenced with a guided tour of the Temple, where Buddha’s Light International Association South Island Young Adult Division members Danny Chen and Fan-Ping Chiang led the group around the Temple, introducing them to the concepts behind the construction building, as well as basic ideas of Buddhism. The guests were also shown around exhibition “Draw with the Heart” at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 2, where they looked upon the artwork in awe.

At the Dining Hall, the children and parents witnessed an enthusiastic presentation of “Stars and Clouds” hand gestures by YAD members, which they surely found impressive. Following on, the children and adults were taught how to fold paper hearts; in which the children listened and learnt with great determination and had lots of fun in the process.

The session concluded with BLIA president Almeric Cheng giving gifts to the children while well-wishing them for the coming holidays, as well as a delicious afternoon tea at Fo Guang Tea House. The little ones also had the chance to take time out from having afternoon tea to feed the fish in the pond.

Account by Fan-Ping Chaing and Sheng-Han Lim