The first Sri Lanka Tzu Chi Youth Camp was held for one and a half days from 28 to 29 March 2025 at the Hambantota Great Love Village office. (Photo by Siluni)
The early morning sunlight came streaming in and shone brilliantly on Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka. On 27 March 2025, the Tzu Chi Collegiate Youth team from Singapore set out from the capital Colombo. After more than three hours of driving, they finally arrived at the Hambantota Love Village office, ready to embark on a cross-border youth study retreat that transcended cultures.
The first Sri Lanka Tzu Chi Youth Camp which lasted for one and a half days was held successfully on 28 and 29 March 2025. There were a total of 36 local Tzu Chi Youths (a.k.a. Tzu Ching) from both Colombo and Hambantota who participated in the event. It was planned and carried out by nine Singapore Tzu Chings, accompanied and supported by five caring volunteers, who witnessed the starting point of Tzu Chi Youth’s deep commitment to serving the local community.
This year’s Tzu Chi Youth Camp was planned and carried out by nine Tzu Chings from Singapore, accompanied and supported by five caring volunteers, who together witnessed the starting point of the Tzu Ching’s deep commitment to serve in the local area. (Photo by Gan Ming De)
The camp welcomed the participation by 36 local Tzu Chings. (Photo by Siluni)
Crossing borders to meet and grow together
In order to allow the local Tzu Chings to have a deeper understanding of the mission and responsibilities of a Tzu Ching, not only the Singapore Tzu Ching mentor team started preparations several months ago, they also worked with the local Tzu Ching team to come up with ideas and plan courses. From cleaning and decorating the venue to formally starting the course and conduct post-event activities. Tzu Chings from both teams have walked through the process and grown together.
On 27 March, which was the day before the camp started, Tzu Chings from both places worked in groups to clean up the Buddha hall, dining hall, office and corridor as well as to set up the spaces for upcoming activities.
Vihanga, a 19-year-old local Tzu Ching, shared that this was his first time participating in the cleaning and decoration work before the start of an event. He felt that it was very meaningful to work together with the team, which also made him more involved in this event.
Everyone working in groups to clean and decorate the area before the start of the camp. Local Tzu Ching Vihanga (the one in a blue plaid shirt) shared that it was his first time cleaning the area before an event and he found it very meaningful. (Photo by Gan Ming De)
An enriching curriculum that expanded participants’ perspectives
The camp began at 10 am on 28 March. Due to the approaching Sinhalese New Year in Sri Lanka on 13 April, a small New Year celebration was held on the first day of the camp. The local Tzu Ching representatives presented betel leaves to the Care Team and bowed with respect. Afterwards, everyone played the Musical Chairs game to celebrate the New Year merrily.
As the Sinhalese New Year approaches, local Tzu Chings present betel leaves to the elders, kneeling down before them and touching their feet to show respect. (Photo by Siluni)
The camp curriculum covered three major themes: Ten Tzu Chi Precepts, event planning, and global disaster relief. Through the Ten Tzu Chi Precepts, local Tzu Chings learned about the content of the Ten Precepts and reflected on how to implement them in their daily lives, while the event planning course taught them how to aspire and have practical execution under the Tzu Chi organisational structure.
During the global disaster relief session, Tzu Chi’s five principles of global disaster relief were introduced through a Q&A segment. These principles are: Direct, Focused, Respectful, Practical, and Timely. The session also introduced the Disaster Relief Six Placement Model, which includes: Psycho-trauma Support, Physiological Needs Support, Livelihood Assistance, Education Recovery Support, Housing Resettlement, and, last but not least, Ecological Restoration. Through these sessions, the Tzu Chings gained a much clearer understanding of Tzu Chi’s global disaster relief efforts and broadened their international perspectives.
Group discussions and creative presentations were presented at the end of each class and the Tzu Chings were very focused during the discussions. (Photo by Wang Hai Yang)
Group discussions and creative presentations were held at the end of each class. The Tzu Chings were highly focused and engaged, and their enriching presentations clearly reflected their deep understanding of what they had learned. Through their interactions during the sessions, the growth and the bonds between the Tzu Chings were further strengthened, paving the way for future collaboration and development. The Care Team also provided feedback after the group presentations, contributing to a warm and encouraging atmosphere.
Subodha, a first-year Physics student at the University of Colombo, shared that before joining the event, he had assumed it was merely a leadership training course. However, after attending the camp, he realised the importance of practising the Ten Precepts of Tzu Chi in daily life—especially in an era marked by drug abuse—by upholding the principles of “no smoking, no drugs, and no chewing betel nuts”. During group discussions, the 21-year-old also came to understand that "peaceful coexistence" and a "cooperative spirit" are the true qualities a leader should embody.
The Care Team giving their feedback after the group presentations, creating a very heart-warming atmosphere. (Photo by Siluni)
Subodha (centre), a first-year Physics student at the University of Colombo, shared that this course made him deeply realise the importance of the Ten Tzu Chi Precepts in daily practice. (Photo by Siluni)
Lasting companionship that transcends distance
Senior volunteers Lim Chwee Lian and Chong Ah Yok, who have been caring for Tzu Chi’s operations in Sri Lanka, were present to share their experiences over the past 20 years—ranging from free clinics and disaster relief to managing organisational affairs. A new member of the team, Peng Jian Zhong, was inspired to join the Sri Lanka Care Team and promote Tzu Chi’s mission after participating in oversea free clinics. In addition to the course sessions, the Care Team held a recognition ceremony for 10 Tzu Chings and 4 Tzu Chi Teenagers (a.k.a. Tzu Shao) to acknowledge their commitment and growth. The team also prepared small gifts and backpacks for all the youth attendees, both to form positive karmic connections and to encourage deeper involvement.
Volunteers Lim Chwee Lian (third from the right), Chong Ah Yok and the team newcomer, Peng Jian Zhong sharing their experiences in the missionary work in Sri Lanka. (Photo by Tang Yong Yu)
Singapore Senior Tzu Ching Tang Yong Yu was assigned to teach and document the event through videos and photographs. He shared that it was an unforgettable and moving experience to witness the spirit of Tzu Chi taking root across different cultures. He was especially inspired after meeting Sanuli, a local Tzu Ching who grew up with Tzu Chi and is deeply committed to spreading seeds of love in the country. Touched by Sanuli's dedication, Tang Yong Yu said, “I hope this event can inspire more young people, so that the spirit of Tzu Chi can continue to flourish and make the world a more heart-warming place to live in.”
Hiruni, a Tzu Ching from Colombo was grateful for the guidance from the Singapore media team, which enabled her to master the skills of photography. Last year, she went to Taiwan to participate in the Global Tzu Chi Youth Camp, which broadened her perspective. In the future, she hopes to tell stories through videography, "I hope to study hard and use videos and texts to convey more stories of warmth and kindness."
Senior Tzu Ching Tang Yong Yu from Singapore said that it was an unforgettable and touching experience for him to witness the spirit of Tzu Chi taking root in different cultures. (Photo by Siluni)
A vow made in youth, a promise left behind
During the vow-making session, the Singapore team designed a puzzle of Jing Si Abode, which symbolises the spiritual home of everyone. The Abode is the eternal spiritual home of Tzu Chi volunteers. All Tzu Chings wrote down their commitment to Tzu Chi on the cards and when put together, all the puzzle pieces formed a common vision. This piece of artwork will be permanently preserved in the Hambantota Great Love Village office.
The puzzle pieces form the "Jing Si Abode” puzzle, which symbolises the spiritual home of everyone. (Photo by Wang Hai Yang)
All the Tzu Chings made a vow in unison in Mandarin, “We want to be the hands and feet of Master Cheng Yen and hope to expand the mission of Tzu Chi to every corner of Sri Lanka, so that it will last for a long time.”
The first Tzu Chi Youth Camp in Sri Lanka was a success. It is hoped that the new Tzu Chings will grow stronger and become a new force with strong aspirations and responsibilities in Sri Lanka.
A heart-warming group photo that captures a historic moment. (Photo by Gan Ming De)
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