Written by Wei Du
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
On April 12, 2024, in the cafeteria of Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy (KJTMA) in DeSoto, Texas, students formed a long line, coins clutched in their tiny palms to be placed into a collection box held by Tzu Chi USA Central Region Executive Director Yuanliang Ling. This sincere act of love would soon cross mountains, sail over oceans, and arrive in the hands of earthquake survivors in Taiwan.
Teachers & Students Unite for Relief
News of a devastating April 2024 earthquake in Taiwan has deeply moved people worldwide, and immediately following the disaster, Tzu Chi USA launched its “Send Love & Care to Taiwan” fundraising campaign. Upon hearing about the relief efforts through Tzu Chi Central Region Executive Director Yuanliang Ling, Dr. Michelle Neely, principal of Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy (KJTMA), promptly organized a donation drive at the school. Principal Neely encouraged teachers and students alike to come together and support the survivors in Taiwan as they work to rebuild their lives.
On April 12, the day of the donation drive, KJTMA’s cafeteria was filled with students eager to help make a difference. Guided by Principal Neely, students donated in a neat and orderly fashion by ascending grade order.
In the halls of KJTMA, volunteers and teachers witnessed the incredible compassion of the students, many of whom come from disadvantaged communities. One student even arrived with piggy banks filled with the pocket money he’d saved day after day, all of which was to be donated to the survivors in Taiwan. After the students and teachers each added their love to the collection box, smiles spread across the room like a wave, and the cafeteria filled with applause. Teachers were overwhelmed by the compassion they felt from their students, and Tzu Chi volunteers were profoundly touched.
Tzu Chi USA Central Region Executive Director Yuanliang Ling was so moved that he couldn’t help the tears in his eyes as he took the stage, saying, “Taiwan is thousands of miles away from us, and you might not know anyone who lives there. I’m very thankful for what you’re doing today to help the people of Taiwan. At present, there are about 16 people who’ve passed away, 49 buildings collapsed, there were landslides, and many highways have been disrupted. Tzu Chi Taiwan also provided assistance to the survivors immediately after the disaster. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you on behalf of Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi volunteers all around the world.”
KJTMA’s Principal, Dr. Michelle Neely, then took the stage to thank all of the students and teachers, saying, “Your kindness will make a huge difference. Your kindness today will be a huge help to others and will change their lives.”
Compassion Has No Borders
Tzu Chi Central Region volunteers have provided Character Education at Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy since August 11, 2022. A core message of the Tzu Chi spirit, and thus this program, is that love is vast and everlasting, and can reach any distance. The origin of Tzu Chi’s bamboo bank, too, teaches that no good deed is too small. The power of kindness is immense, indeed, especially when one’s act of care is combined with all those of a caring community.
A student named Clarke Brown saw his classmates donate and also wanted to give, but he didn’t have anything on hand to donate that day. And so, he drew a picture as a gift for the Tzu Chi volunteers, hoping to send love and encouragement to the survivors through this thoughtful gift.
Character Education Plays a Significant Role
KJTMA’s educational philosophy empowers the students’ care and enthusiasm, and pairs wonderfully with Tzu Chi USA’s Central Region Character Education Program provided to the school’s students. Together, the spirit of great love abounds in these halls and in students’ life practices.
KJTMA Assistant Principal Yolanda Hanspard also shared her appreciation for Tzu Chi’s Central Region volunteers and the Character Education Program, saying, “The children are able to give today because their Tzu Chi family members have demonstrated great love and taught the students to learn how to give. We are grateful for your love and kindness, and we will pray for all those who have been affected by the disaster.”
We are very lucky to be able to give a little bit to help Tzu Chi; we are really thankful.
Tzu Chi USA Central Region’s relationship with KJTMA began with Dr. Michelle Neely in 2011. Dr. Neely was the founding Associate Principal of Teaching and Learning at the Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at A. Maceo Smith (BOMLA), where Tzu Chi also has a presence through its Character Education Program. She identified with the Tzu Chi philosophy and readily collaborated with the Tzu Chi USA Central Region’s Character Education Program at BOMLA. In 2019, Dr. Neely traveled with Central Region Executive Director Yuanliang Ling to Hualien to meet with Tzu Chi’s founder, Master Cheng Yen, and was deeply touched by the experience – converting to Buddhism thereafter under the Dharma name of Ming Feng. After her visit to Hualien, Dr. Neely actively participated in Tzu Chi USA Central Region activities and completed the new volunteer training program in 2022. Principal Neely’s passion and efforts have further strengthened the collaborative energy between Tzu Chi and the school, allowing the seeds of Character Education to grow and flourish in the hearts of more youths. Through this, we hope to nurture every student as they grow, promoting a loving and caring environment where they can reach their potential, and become socially responsible leaders of the future.
