March 20, 2024
Tzu Chi preschool holds second Kiddie Market
By Joy Rojas
Now on its second year, Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines’ Kiddie Market last March 17 saw the little ones sell a variety of food (vegetarian pizza, Salad in a Cone, fries, fresh fruits, lemonade) and novelty items (handmade hand-painted fans, coasters, pop sockets, mini plants) at the Harmony Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Tzu Chi volunteers showed full support for the charitable cause by purchasing many of the items from the preschoolers.
“We’re very happy because this time the kids were really involved in the entire process, from brainstorming and preparing the materials to cooking the pizza, baking all the products, and handing the novelty items,” says Jane Sy, directress of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines.
Choosing the Kiddie Market’s beneficiaries was also the students’ idea. Says Jane, “We were really amazed to see that most of the kids told us that they want to help other kids have their own schools. They’re happy that they have their own school, so they want to share the happiness with other children.”
The kids also suggested donating to medical frontliners “so they would have money to get vaccines to help other people and make sure that they stay safe and healthy.” Another popular pick for beneficiary was animals, as the students noticed a lot of stray dogs and cats on the streets, and wanted to give them quality life.
In addition to Tzu Chi’s scholarship program, which the preschool has been supporting, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) was selected as the event’s other beneficiary. The Kidde Market’s profits will help secure rice to feed rescued dogs and cats, cleaning products, and other necessities of the animal shelter.
Three-year-old Bryce, a new student at the preschool, looked forward to his first Kiddie Market.
“He slept very early last night in preparation for today,” says dad Ryan.
“The past few days, he would say, ‘Oh, there are four sleeps left’ or ‘Three sleeps left until the Kiddie Market,’” says mom Erin. “And then he told us about what they were going to prepare. He said he was going to sell fans, and he actually told me they were going to sell fans with buttons! So, I got confused! Apparently, they’re handmade hand-painted fans so he was very excited about it.”
Watching Bryce hold his on in a room bustling with adults and children is of many positive changes Ryan and Erin have seen in their son since he started going to Tzu Chi.
“He was quite shy,” says Erin. “But after going for two weeks, we noticed he’s saying ‘thank you’ more often. He’s saying ‘sorry’ more often too even though he’s not really at fault at times. We noticed he’s more compassionate towards animals as well. I think because of Tzu Chi’s type of education, kids learn to be more compassionate and to feel more about the people and the environment.”
That’s what makes the Kiddie Market a success in more ways than one. “With these activities, we’re able to nurture students’ empathy, kindness, and generosity at a very young age,” says Jane.
The Kiddie Market is a learning experience for parents too. Says Ryan, “Simple things can be sold for charity too, right?”
Parents, preschool teachers, and Tzu Chi volunteers helped make the Kiddie Market a memorable occasion for the students. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Parents, preschool teachers, and Tzu Chi volunteers helped make the Kiddie Market a memorable occasion for the students. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Parents, preschool teachers, and Tzu Chi volunteers helped make the Kiddie Market a memorable occasion for the students. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Parents, preschool teachers, and Tzu Chi volunteers helped make the Kiddie Market a memorable occasion for the students. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Parents, preschool teachers, and Tzu Chi volunteers helped make the Kiddie Market a memorable occasion for the students. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Erin and Ryan supported their son Bryce in his first-ever Kiddie Market experience at Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Jane Sy, directress of Tzu Chi Great Love Preschool Philippines, was amazed at how the students were involved in all aspects of the Kiddie Market. “From brainstorming and preparing the materials to cooking the pizza, baking all the products, and handing the novelty items.” The students even chose the beneficiaries of their charitable event. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers came in full force, purchasing items from the sale to help the preschoolers raise funds for their beneficiaries. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Tzu Chi volunteers came in full force, purchasing items from the sale to help the preschoolers raise funds for their beneficiaries. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
In addition to developing children’s communication and fine motor skills, the Kiddie Market nurtures students’ empathy, kindness, and generosity at a very young age. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
In addition to developing children’s communication and fine motor skills, the Kiddie Market nurtures students’ empathy, kindness, and generosity at a very young age. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
In addition to developing children’s communication and fine motor skills, the Kiddie Market nurtures students’ empathy, kindness, and generosity at a very young age. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
A preschooler samples one of the best sellers, Salad in a Cone. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
This year’s Kiddie Market sold various food and novelty items. Profits from the sale will go to the preschoolers’ chosen beneficiaries, Tzu Chi’s scholarship program and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
This year’s Kiddie Market sold various food and novelty items. Profits from the sale will go to the preschoolers’ chosen beneficiaries, Tzu Chi’s scholarship program and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
This year’s Kiddie Market sold various food and novelty items. Profits from the sale will go to the preschoolers’ chosen beneficiaries, Tzu Chi’s scholarship program and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】