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This was followed by Mr Yau Chee Bing giving a quick talk on the long history of the struggles of Malaysian
Independent Chinese Schools and Ngew Ze An, a student from Sr1ScA introducing Tzu Chi students to our
school, going from our school’s founding to the school curriculum and co-curricular activities. Then, two
representatives from Tzu Chi introduced us to their school, which features a library with over a million books
and the only planetarium in eastern Taiwan. Then, a brief intermission took place before the continuation of the
exchange.
10:30 a.m. marked the start of one of the highlights of the day – the performances. Our school’s Chinese Folk
Dance Club and Chinese Martial Arts Club went first, performing the flashy “Bow Dance”. An award-winning
psychedelic interpretive dance by one of Tzu Chi’s students was up next, followed by the Tzu Chi National
Martial Arts team performing “Land and Wind”, a Tai chi routine, and the Tzu Chi Dance Club performing
“Direction”, another modern dance. Then, the Chinese Orchestra of Kuen Cheng played the chirpy “You Chase,
I Follow”. Afterwards, the quirky Taiwanese childhood favourite “Clinking Coins” and the youthful yet grand
“Perfect Conjugal Bliss” were played by the National Orchestra of Tzu Chi. After that, the Kuen Cheng Chinese
Folk Dance club went up again with three different dances, each showcasing Orang Asli, Chinese and Indian
cultures. Tzu Chi’s National Martial Arts Team was next, combining sign language and Chinese martial arts in
their acts “The Power of Dreams” and “One Family”. The performance session closed off with the junior students
attending this exchange singing “Let Me Say I Love You through Weathers of Malaysia”.
After lunch break, the events continued at 1pm, with Robert Boxwell from Sr2A giving a presentation
introducing Malaysia. A cultural exchange program took place afterwards, giving Tzu Chi students the
opportunity to try out Henna and Indian garb, which proved to be quite an experience for them. Around 1:45
p.m. clubs from both schools indulged in an exchange for forty-five minutes before Tzu Chi students left for tea,
ending the main events of the day.
Many Tzu Chi students were quite pleased with the exchange program so far. It has provided a great opportunity
to share cultures between the two schools. Their general perception towards Malaysia is largely positive too,
with many enjoying the tropical weather and friendly people. The day didn’t stop there, though; find out another
highlight of the day – the Brickfields Outing, in the next article!
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Tzu Chi Senior High School Brickfields Outing
Jointly reported by: Ng Choon Hau Sr1A, Tan Yi Khai Sr1ScD, Yee Wen Shuen Sr1C (Photography)
Following the main events held earlier with their own wacky backstories, which Kow Tong Temple. The final stops
in the day of 5 August 2019, the Tzu certainly provided some good stories were the Sri Krishna Temple and Sree
Chi Senior High School teachers for the Tzu Chi students to listen to. Veera Hanuman Temple, which are
and students gathered at Block A Indian temples that showcase amazing
Lobby for their final exchange activity The Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple was stories of Indian mythology. The outing
here at Kuen Cheng High School next, featuring another main religion in ended at around 6 p.m., with everyone
– the Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – Buddhism. The tour group walking back into Kuen Cheng High
outing. This outing was led by three got a chance to go inside the temple School, feeling pretty much exhausted
members from the Tourism Studies compound and pray in front of the at the end of the day.
Society and nine members from golden Buddhist statue. Afterwards,
the History Society, accompanied they moved on to the bustling streets of Overall, this outing and the entire
by Ms. Lim Bee Hsiang and both Little India, where Indian street culture exchange program was a great success.
clubs’ respective advisory teachers. thrives. Tzu Chi students were allowed Tzu Chi students, though tired after
After the handing out of the travel to wander around the street, shop for the outing, were glad to be able to
brochures, the group set out at 3 p.m. local delicacies and complete their tasks open their eyes to our country’s vividly
along the way. Then, the tour group beautiful and diverse cultures and
After traversing through the urban gathered round and took a picture in religions. The presidents of the Tourism
jungle of Brickfields, the tour group front of Torana Gate, a lotus fountain Studies Society and History Society
made it to their first location – the gifted by the Indian Prime Minister, were both glad that this outing turned
Madrasathul Gouthiyyah Surau. then moved on to their next location. out well. The only downsides were
Though the mosque is plain looking, potentially bored students and mishaps
it is well known for being one of the The journey to the next location was when crossing the street. Both Tzu Chi
community’s hotspots for Indian much longer, therefore the Tourism students and organisers were looking
Muslims to pray. The History Society Studies Society members had to be forward to having the opportunity to
members briefed the Tzu Chi students even more vigilant in not getting do this again in the future, if possible.
with basic information about the Tzu Chi students lost or injured. Here’s to hoping that Tzu Chi Senior
mosque and Muslim culture in general. Eventually, the tour group reached the High School and Kuen Cheng High
Next up was the Tamil Methodist Vivekananda Ashram, a hostel for the School’s lasting friendship will remain
Church, followed by the nearby Zion local Indian population. Then, they till the end of time!
Lutheran Cathedral. Methodism and arrived at Kuala Lumpur’s hub for a
Zionism are both sects of Christianity religion with Chinese origins – Sam
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