June 22, 2024
Years later, a Tzu Chi scholarship continues to impact lives
By Joy Rojas
Long after participants of Tzu Chi Foundation’s Charity Run for Education cross the finish line on July 21 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, and even long after beneficiaries of Tzu Chi’s Educational Assistance Program graduate, the scholarships that put disadvantaged youth through school will continue to impact their lives and the lives of those around them.
Tuition, allowances and values
That’s the beauty of a Tzu Chi scholarship. Funded through the generosity of donors big and small, a Tzu Chi scholarship covers not just students’ tuition and allowances; it builds character too. Monthly Humanity classes inculcate universal values espoused by Tzu Chi founder, Buddhist nun Dharma Master Cheng Yen.
Classmates, homework, school projects, and thesis defenses come and go, but her timeless teachings stay with students forever.
To serve people
“Among the things that Tzu Chi taught me is to serve people,” says Jamil Carvajal. The son of a valet parking attendant, he was a Tzu Chi scholar in 2010 and 2011.
Carvajal, who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education (major in Filipino) from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in 2012, and MA in Filipino at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in 2019, remains very much involved in Tzu Chi’s missions. He was a member of the Tzu Chi Youth and actively joined outreach activities. In 2016, he also joined the inauguration of the Mangayon Elementary School in Compostela Valley, which was rebuilt by Tzu Chi following its destruction from Super Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) in 2012.
Currently working on his doctorate degree at the University of the Philippines, he is a Pilipino teacher to senior high and college students. He is also a mentor to the impressionable teens who attend Tzu Chi’s annual scholars’ camp.
“Who we are today is clear evidence that Tzu Chi is able to produce alumni who remain grateful and willing to extend help to those who need it,” he says. “Don’t choose a time to help. When you have the capacity to help, do it.”
How can you help? By running!
Sign up for the 1K, 3K, 5K, or 10K category of Tzu Chi’s Charity Run for Education, and your participation sustains the educational needs of poor but deserving elementary, high school, and college students supported by Tzu Chi’s Educational Assistance Program.
Since it was established in 1995, the initiative has awarded more than 13,000 scholarships to underprivileged youth in Zamboanga, Davao, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Pampanga, Bicol, and the National Capital Region.
Participants in the charity run will each receive a race bib and loot bag containing a runner’s shirt (for 1K) and singlet (for 3K, 5K, and 10K) made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and collapsible cup made of wheat straw. All finishers will receive a finisher’s medal.
The mission of education
Education is one of four main missions of the foundation established by Master Cheng Yen in her native Taiwan in 1966. In the Philippines as well as in the 68 Tzu Chi chapters around the world, volunteers have extended compassion and relief in charity, medicine, education, and humanistic culture to over 136 countries. International relief, bone marrow donation, environmental protection, and community volunteerism are Tzu Chi’s other advocacies.
Let your run on July 21 make a difference in a scholar’s life. Run for kindness. Support Tzu Chi’s scholars. Register NOW!
Register here: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/88678/tzu-chi-charity-run
NOTE: Processing and admin fees apply.
#KindnessKilometers #Scholarships
#TzuChiCharityRun
#TzuChiFoundationPhilippines
#RUNRIO
Serving the next generation. At the 2023 Tzu Chi Scholars’ Camp, Jamil Carvajal (center) joins other former Tzu Chi scholars in pledging their allegiance to the Tzu Chi Philippines College Scholars Association. The son of a valet parking attendant, Carvajal credits his Tzu Chi scholarship in 2010 and 2011 for helping him complete his Bachelor in Secondary Education, major in Filipino at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. “Who we are today is clear evidence that Tzu Chi is able to produce alumni who remain grateful and willing to extend help to those who need it,” says Carvajal.
Partnerships for the future. Alumnus Jamil Carvajal (right) together with fellow Tzu Chi scholar Christine Cabuello shares a beautiful reunion with Atty. Domingo Reyes (center), President of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement expanding the scholarship assistance of Tzu Chi Foundation for underprivileged PLM students.
A success that inspires others. Graduating from college and earning a title for himself as a teacher, Jamil Carvajal (right) returns to Tzu Chi’s campus to share to young scholars how a Tzu Chi scholarship changed his life.
Helping scholars and their families. Apart from answering scholars’ financial needs as they study, a Tzu Chi scholarship covers daily needs such as rice and groceries.
Building character. Tzu Chi scholars also learn values and gain wisdom through their monthly Humanity classes. These lessons include practicing kindness by helping others, filial piety or respect for parents.