“Heart of a Child” Week Draws to a Conclusion

“Heart of a Child” week, which was organised by Buddha’s Light International Association South Island Young Adult Division, concluded on the 5th of December after the last group of 17 children and 5 teachers from Discovery 1 School arrived at Fo Guang Shan South Island Temple for their session of fun, which fell between 10am and 11:30am.

Buddha’s Light International Association South Island president Almeric Cheng, advisor Sandy Liao, director Louisa Kuo and consultant Ron Wright joined the YAD for their final session of the week-long event.

YAD 1 vice president Jason Liu, YAD 2 president Danny Chen and YAD members Jay Chen and Fan-Ping Chiang guided the group around the Temple, with their first stop being Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery 2, where the children and parents took time to appreciate the artworks of the exhibition “Draw with Heart”.

Their next stop was the Buddha Hall, where they were given the opportunity to make a wish at the wishing bell. The children waited in anticipation as they lined up to have their turn to make a wish in front of the Buddha.

As they walked downstairs, they were lead to the Dining Hall to participate in the activities the YAD had lined up for them. The first of the activities was time to write a comment or wish on a piece of paper. They were taught how to fold the piece of paper they wrote on into a shape of a heart, which they then stuck onto the wall.

Following on, YAD presented “Stars and Clouds” hand gestures and the “Mi Lu Egg Dance” to the eager children who also joined in with the dancing. In a reciprocal fashion, Discovery 1’s children performed the Maori song “Te Aroha” and an English song called “Aroha is Love” for the people at the Temple.

Before they left, the children assembled at the Tea House, where they enjoyed a lovely morning tea prepared by Tea House and Kitchen staff Gina Chen, Grace Fu and Lynn Ferguson. This group marked the conclusion of the successful “Heart of a Child” week.

Account by Fan-Ping Chiang and Sheng-Han Lim