Making use of the weekend, volunteers and preschool teachers conducted a spring-cleaning at Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool. (Photo by Yong Keah Pei)
While everyone was busy shopping and emptying their virtual shopping cart on the “11.11” major Sales weekend, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool (Yishun) welcomed a group of dedicated volunteers and Preschool teachers. 11 November 2023 was the second time Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool (Yishun) conducted a spring-cleaning for the year. The preschool teachers and volunteers arrived very early at the centre on this day, eager to start their day of cleaning.
Some were in-charged of moving items, while others were assigned to wipe and clean the classrooms. Everyone performed their assigned tasks dutifully. (Photo by Yong Keah Pei)
Eleven preschool teachers took the initiative to clean the classrooms they were in charge of. The teachers meticulously wiped the children’s beddings, washed the toys, and dried them under the sun outside the classroom. They also cleaned the classroom shelves, wiping down the racks with all items carefully removed before returning them to their original positions.
All the toys meticulously cleaned and dried under the sun. (Photo by Lim Lay Hong)
The teachers proceeded to clean the shoe cabinets and the children’s schoolbag cabinet. The teachers even tried to remove tough tape residues to create a clean and hygienic learning environment for the children.
Teacher Ms Chong Chee Sia giving a fellow teacher a massage to relieve her back pain during the spring-cleaning session. (Photo by Yong Keah Pei)
Thirty volunteers from the north zone had also joined the teachers in cleaning up the centre. Among the volunteers were four young volunteers who accompanied their parents for the activity. One of the young volunteers, Toh Kang Wei, was dubbed the “Chairman” by everyone. However, unlike the “Chairman” title we often understood, he was dubbed the “Chairman” literally for being the man in charge of cleaning the chairs.
“Chairman” Toh Kang Wei was exceptionally diligent during the cleaning process. He was able to clean tens of chairs all by himself. Everyone who witnessed it was touched by his diligence and sincerity.
“Chairman” Toh Kang Wei was assigned to clean the chairs in the classroom. (Photo by Lim Lay Hong)
Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Principal Ms Lim Lay Hong promised Toh Kang Wei that she would inform the children of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool about his contribution and hard work, and she was confident that the children would enjoy their lessons comfortably while sitting on clean chairs.
There was also another young volunteer who recently graduated from Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool. He returned this time with his mother to give back to his old school by helping to create a clean and hygienic learning environment, which is applaudable.
The volunteers also climbed ladders to clean the fans, ensuring that even the wind blown by the ceiling fan would be dust-free. Finally, they rounded off the day of spring-cleaning by mopping the floor of the entire school compound.
Despite perspiring profusely during the spring cleaning session, volunteers experienced great satisfaction from being able to create a clean environment for the children. (Photo by Lim Lay Hong)
Every classroom underwent a facelift from left to right and from top to bottom. Even the window panels were sparkling clean, bringing joy to everyone who looked out of the window to enjoy the lovely view outside.
A Jing Si Aphorisms quote says, “Be willing to do and be happy to bear”. The Tzu Chi volunteers and the preschool teachers demonstrated the great spirit of service by willingly sacrificing their weekend to do the voluntary work. With great teamwork, the volunteers and teachers cleaned the entire preschool thoroughly within a few hours. Through mindfully cleaning the floor, one also cleanses one’s heart, bringing peace and removing mental defilements during the process.
(Photo by Su Ying Mei)
We sincerely hope that the children of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool can appreciate the contribution and hard work of the Tzu Chi volunteers and teachers who had served selflessly. Just like how Master Cheng Yen had explained the meaning of “Jing Si” (silent contemplation) to be “the green mountain competes with no one, the field of blessings should be cultivated diligently”, it also represented the Tzu Chi spirit of serving without asking for anything in return.
When there is an opportunity to serve others, one should seize the opportunity earnestly. And may everyone usher in a new school term with a heart filled with joy and gratitude.
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