The illuminating Light of the Buddha continues to shine even to areas situated quite far away from Nan Hua Temple. The blessings of the Buddha and its teachings of compassion and giving, has spearheaded life-changing experiences to people that not had the privilege of gaining skills such as the ability to use computers. The program, which was originally intended to assist the community around the Temple in Bronkhorstspruit, has now reached people 600 kilometres away and is still going strong.

The launch of new computer lab in Giyani on 13 December 2013 proved a very valuable early Christmas present for the Giyani community. This fully-furnished computer lab with well-trained computer skills facilitators and state-of-the-art computers is situated in the rural Makosha village. The classes are offered free of charge. 15 computers were handed over to the Vongani Skills Development Centre in order to provide much-needed computer training to the previously disadvantaged people of the Giyani community.

Venerable Hui Xing, Nan Hua Temple’s Manager, blessed the occasion with his heartfelt speech, when he reminded the community that, the hardship, lack of skills, poverty and their desire to develop and grow both financially and personally, is felt by the people at the Temple 600kms away. In answer to this, the 15 computers were installed and the first 30 beneficiaries were graduating. He continued saying that, through the Buddha’s compassion and the willpower of the people of Giyani to acquire knowledge in the future, more and more centres like this will be opened and more and more people will have a chance to gain the knowledge, enabling them to kick-start their life. The crowd applauded joyfully and celebrated loudly. Lastly, he reminded the graduates to be role models for those who will follow and to encourage others to make use of this great opportunity to enable them to also give back to the community.

Mrs Mathonsi, founder of the centre, shared the history of Vongani Skills Development Centre and its dealings with Nan Hua Temple. She recalled her request for 20 wheelchairs, which were delivered in 2009 and another 15 wheelchairs, which were delivered earlier this year by the Temple. Through this unconditional assistance from the Temple, she realised that religious boundaries are mere illusions, as we all strive to reach the same goal; hence, she has so much respect for the Buddhism and what it stands for. She encouraged the community of Giyani to see for themselves what Buddhism can do for their community.

She reminded the community about compassion shown by the Temple and said that they should ask themselves that if, for example, their neighbour’s child wants to come and learn to use the computer in their house, would they allow that without worrying ‘what if this or that would’ happen. “Now look at the Buddhist community from far away, who just presented us with gifts without ‘what ifs’, she concluded.

Lastly, Chief of Homu, the traditional leader, on behalf of the community of Giyani, thanked the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) for the wonderful gift presented to their people. He assured the Temple that the computers were in good hands; that the community will look after and cherished it. He also said that the community will be encouraged to not only learn from the heart, but also apply what they learn to improve their life lives rapidly. He welcomed the graduates back to the community and reiterated that they must use the skills they gained to be more useful to themselves as well as the community of Giyani as a whole.

There  are few days in our lifetime, where we have to gather to celebrate our academic  achievement. But what we gain from such days has the superb ability to reshape  our lives and realize our dreams.

The smiling, gorgeous, handsome and  “dressed to kill” individuals, the graduates and their teachers, family and  friends, filled the Nan Hua  Academy assembly hall to the capacity. Students who just finished learning  Basic Computers, Ms Office & Pastel Accounting Courses at Nan  Hua  Academy and Basic computer  courses graduates from Mamelodi gathered here to receive their hard-earned certification. 

The speeches from graduate representatives were mostly  expressing the appreciation to the temple for providing such an opportunity for  them to gain some valuable computer skills, to kick-start their lives and get  rid of poverty. The graduates thanked the staff at the academy for all the hard  work and patience they put into ensuring success in acquiring the knowledge.  They wished them a very successful life, and to continue helping other students  in the future.
 
The graduations also was also attended by some of the Nanahua  Academy sponsors, some of whom got an opportunity to deliver a speech, for  example Mrs Du Man Yin and Mr. Phillip Chen. In their speech they encouraged the  graduates to be brave, and to face all life difficulties with strong heart and  determination, to be aware of the opportunities that present themselves, and  also to get up every morning with a new hope of success in whatever they dream  off.
 
The Keynote address was delivered by Venerable Hui Xing,  the Manager of Nan Hua Temple, who made the graduates aware of two  important things in life, knowledge and attitude. He stressed that none of these  important items in life can stand on its own. A successful life for any person  is not a subject of luck, but rather the combining of knowledge and positive  mental attitude towards whatever the person has decided to do.

 He wished the  graduates best of health and opportunities and invited the graduates to come and  visit the temple in the future, to bring successful stories of their lives, so
that others can learn and be inspired by them.

The 3rd May 2013 was a day of jubilation and celebration at Nan Hua Academy, as 51 young students from disadvantaged communities received their MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certificates, as well as Pastel Accounting certificates. It was a day filled with joy, as most of the graduates admitted they never thought that one day they will be able to reach this milestone.

The students from Mamelodi, Zama-Zama and Witbank, converged at the Nan Hua temples’ gallery to cerebrate the achievement in of obtaining a testimonial in Basic computer course. The graduates dressed in smartest outfits, brought with them the atmosphere of hope and determination. 

On the 16th November 2012, the abbot of Nan Hua Temple Ven. Master Hui Fang along with the BLIA Johannesburg Association chairman Mrs De Man Yin and vice chairman Mr Philip Chen with his wife attended the Mamelodi computer class opening ceremony which was held at the SOS Children Village, Mamelodi. There where 30 people in attendance.

On the 28th September 2012, Nan Hua Academy together with the Nanhua-sponsored Witbank Computer College hosted a graduation ceremony in the ABS Hall, Cultura Park, and Bronkhorstspruit.

Computer class graduation ceremony was held in Nanhua Temple on 10th August 2012. This ceremony was directed by the manager of Nan Hua Temple, Ven Hui Xing. Among the invited VIP’s was the president of BLIA Johannesburg Chapter, Mrs Du-Man Yin, the Vice President of BLIA Pretoria Chapter Ms Hui-man Fong, the graduates of the latest Ms Office 2003 computer-class from the computer centre of Limpopo and Kwa-Mhlanga, and their family members and friends totaling over 90 people.

The Nan Hua Academy in Bronkhorstspruit, which specialises in free computer literacy training to local youth, recently co-hosted a Graduation Ceremony with two other associate academies in Kwa-Mhlanga and Limpopo. The ceremony was organised by the academy and was attended by over 60 graduates. During the ceremony these graduates, who worked very hard during the three-month course and passed the examinations, sang their heart-out to express their joy and excitement!

On the 30th March, the Nan Hua Academy hosted a graduation ceremony, together with the Witbank computer college, and celebrated the graduation of over 80 learners who completed the free Microsoft Office Course NHA has been offering for almost 2 years to interested & deserving, young, local students.