February 26, 2024
International School Manila Visits BTCC
By Dorothy Castro
With the goal of gaining knowledge on sustainable living practices, middle school students from International School Manila (ISM) attended a series of activities during their visit to Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) last February 20 to 23.
Two batches of students participated in different activities on sustainability for two days. For the ISM students’ first day of visit, they learned how to sort through donated used items such as clothes, shoes, and slippers, that will be distributed during Tzu Chi relief operations. Students also learned the process of recycling PET bottles.
On the second day of their visit, students had a tour of BTCC where they listened to the story of Master Cheng Yen’s life and the Tzu Chi Foundation. This day was also dedicated to upcycling, where the students enjoyed an afternoon of creating products such as mats and cushions with the use of old fabrics.
Students and teachers from ISM also enjoyed vegetarian meals during their visit to BTCC and learned more about vegetarianism.
To Steven Fischer, a Learning Support Specialist in ISM, their visit to BTCC was a great opportunity for students to learn about Tzu Chi Foundation’s sustainable practices.
“We’re noticing an overlap between your practices and ours,” Fischer enthusiastically shared, noting that students from ISM also bring their own containers, reduce waste, and repurpose waste.
Fischer’s vision was for the students to bring Tzu Chi’s valuable lessons back to the ISM and their homes. “We’re hoping that the kids go back to the school and back home and start thinking differently about what they’re doing with their trash,” especially on extending the life of the things they use.
Each activity included discussions where students shared their valuable insights and experiences on sustainable practices and providing relief during disasters.
Additionally, the second batch of middle school students from ISM participated in the preparation and loading of relief goods last February 22 for the families affected by a recent fire in Brgy. Tumana, Marikina City.
A product of collaborative efforts between Tzu Chi volunteers and ISM middle school students and teachers, these relief packages included different essential items for the families: food items, cooking pan and utensils, clothing, slippers, toiletries, and more.
On February 23, these relief goods were distributed to 51 families in Brgy. Tumana, Marikina City. Tzu Chi Volunteer Daisy Ocampo expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the people who donated the relief items as well as those who participated in the preparation of relief goods.
First batch of ISM middle school students pose for photos on their second day of visit to BTCC on February 21, 2024. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Second batch of ISM middle school students pose for photos after completing their two-day visit to BTCC on February 23, 2024. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM teachers participated in sorting used papers for recycling. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A Tzu Chi volunteer shares how each bottle is recycled and given a new life for many to use. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
ISM middle school students remove the product labels while sorting and crushing used water bottles for recycling. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
After removing the bottle labels, ISM students collect the crushed PET bottles for recycling. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
ISM students and teachers spend the afternoon learning about how old fabrics are turned into raw materials that could be upcycled. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
ISM students have an enjoyable afternoon upcycling old fabrics to be turned into mats. 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
ISM students visit Jing Si Hall and listen attentively to Tzu Chi volunteer Cherrie Rose Ang, as she tours the students around BTCC. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM students admire the lotus pond during their tour at the BTCC. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM students actively participate in preparing the ingredients for creating cleaning solutions through fruit peels, sugar, and water. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM students actively participate in preparing the ingredients for creating cleaning solutions through fruit peels, sugar, and water. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM students observe the sample of the soil as they learn about composting. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
Steven Fischer, ISM Learning Support Specialist, expresses his optimism towards working with Tzu Chi, “We’re very excited and we’re inspired, and we’re learning a lot.” 【Photo by Harold Alzaga】
ISM students put great effort into washing and scrubbing each slipper to be given during the relief operations. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM students put great effort into washing and scrubbing each slipper to be given during the relief operations. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM students carefully prepare each bucket with essential items for the relief packages. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers and ISM students work together in selecting the best quality clothing to be distributed for the beneficiaries of the fire relief in Brgy. Tumana, Marikina. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM middle school students pose for photos with the relief goods they packed. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
ISM middle school students work together in loading the packed relief goods into the truck. 【Photo by Dorothy Castro】
ISM middle school students work together in loading the packed relief goods into the truck. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Tzu Chi volunteers work together as they transfer the relief goods into the covered court at Brgy. Tumana, where the beneficiaries for the fire relief are currently residing. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Beneficiaries of the Fire Relief Operations in Brgy. Tumana, Marikina receive the relief goods prepared by the ISM middle school students. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】