The Tzu Chi Foundation’s Sierra Leone branch hosted an informative volunteer training session at the Pre-School Centre in the St. Edward’s Compound on July 29. Forty committed volunteers from all over the region, both new and returning, came together for this event. The training’s main goal was to increase the participants’ comprehension of and dedication to Tzu Chi’s mission, which places a strong emphasis on compassion, service, and moral behaviour.
Brother Ishmeal Alfred Charles oversaw the training, and Sister Margaret Bessie assisted in organising the day’s events. The session’s theme, “Understanding the Organisation’s Mission and Spirit,” offered a wealth of opportunities for spiritual reflection, practical advice, and philosophical underpinnings. Tzu Chi’s four main missions—charity, medicine, education, and humanistic culture—were deeply ingrained in the curriculum.
Brother Johan’s recorded video message, which featured motivational first-hand stories of Tzu Chi’s ongoing humanitarian work in Sierra Leone, was one of the day’s highlights. His moving statement, “The joy is in the smile of the people we serve,” encapsulated his message and served as a potent reminder of the transformational potential of compassionate service. The volunteers found great resonance in this sentiment, which strengthened their dedication to the organization’s purpose.
Participants learned about the lengthy history of Tzu Chi, which was established in Taiwan in 1966 by Master Cheng Yen, during the training. They looked at the organization’s guiding principle, which reads, “Help the poor and educate the rich.” The Tzu Chi logo, which stands for devotion, compassion, and purity, was also covered, which helped volunteers realize the importance of their work.
In a number of important areas, the training included practical instruction. The organization’s basic principles and manners, which prioritize modest dress, polite communication, and humility, were taught to the volunteers. While images of Dhamar volunteers served as models for appropriate behavior and appearance, Sister Margaret displayed the Tzu Chi uniform.
The session also covered mission-based modules that included ethical environmental practices like recycling and vegetarianism, as well as practical skills for home visits under the Charity mission and character education for youth under the Education mission. Incorporating spiritual practices into the training also encouraged volunteers to incorporate Jing Si aphorisms and daily Dharma reflections to develop inner strength and mindfulness in their service.
The structure of Tzu Chi volunteer development, which includes certification as a Certified Commissioner, Dharma Volunteer, and General Volunteer, was also explained to the volunteers. The training made sure that volunteers felt empowered and connected to the organization by emphasizing the continuous support offered through evaluation and mentoring.
Participants gave personal testimonies at the end of the training session that demonstrated the practical impact of Tzu Chi’s work. One particularly poignant story was that of a Rokel volunteer who, during a challenging illness, received life-saving support from other Tzu Chi members. He was given food, a blanket, and emotional support, all of which demonstrated the organization’s strong sense of camaraderie and empathy. His desire to return to service was strengthened by this encounter, which demonstrated the strong bonds that can be created through deeds of kindness.
Throughout the training, visual aids—such as images from recent fieldwork and humanitarian aid missions—were used to emphasize the importance of group action motivated by wisdom and love.
As they looked to the future, the organizers realized that continuous training in useful fields like media documentation, disaster relief, and first aid was necessary. More training sessions and easier access to equipment and uniforms for volunteers are already planned.
Brother Charles stressed the necessity of action in his concluding remarks, saying, “A Bodhisattva does not wait for a perfect world to begin serving.” Even in the middle of chaos, a Bodhisattva moves forward with a calm heart and helpful hands. The volunteers emerged from the training session with a fresh sense of direction and solidarity, prepared to continue Tzu Chi’s work, one act of kindness at a time.
