A group photograph of the second batch of 2014 National Service trainees with Nalandian youths.

Report by Tai Wei Kit, Programme Co-ordinator & Nalandian Youth

Every Sunday afternoon from April to June 2014, Nalanda Centre hosted the second batch of 2014 National Service (NS) trainees for their Dhamma-learning Programme.  Nalanda Youths were given the wonderful opportunity to take charge of the three-hour weekly programme over 10 sessions.

An average of 60 trainees from Semenyih camp attended our programme, held on Sundays from 2pm to 5pm.  The 10 weekly sessions were conducted using different themes from Nalanda’s 8 Core Values, 6 Well-Beings, and other Buddhist values to introduce Dhamma as our principal guidance in life.  Every session was specially planned to ensure trainees’ learning and understanding of the Dhamma through meaningful activities.

Bro. Wei Kit leading the Pūja (offerings to the Three Jewels) at the beginning of every Sunday session.

The bond between the National Service trainees and Nalandian youths grew stronger every week through various interactive activities.  This helped us tremendously in running the programmes smoothly, and trainees too did not feel shy or awkward in participating fully in the activities.  In fact, some of the NS trainees even joined us at the launching of Nalanda Youth Centre held on Thursday, 1 May.

The weekly sessions are filled with interactive activities including group discussions like this one.

Apart from the trainees, Nalandian youths too learned a lot in the process of organizing the NS Programme.  Our skills and capabilities gradually improved as we plan for each subsequent batch.  Although this second batch of 2014 National Service trainees’ programme ended on 22 June, we are continuously making efforts to ensure the trainees of the coming batch can enjoy and learn as much as possible upon their arrival.

The NS trainees enjoying and participating fully in our activities.

In conclusion, this NS Programme has brought significant learning and impactful experiences for the NS trainees, as well as for the Organizing Committee in many ways.  We thank the trainees for their active participation and cooperation in making it a successful programme.  And we look forward to welcoming the next batch of NS trainees to Nalanda!