文．Zoleka Mkhabela

2022年慈濟大愛幼教老師成長營，花蓮慈濟小學名譽校長楊月鳳以「回眸來時路~白水鑑心」為主題和老師們分享。(2022/07/19；攝影：羅明道)

Dear Principal Yang Yue-Feng,

There are books we read, and then there are books that read us, books that hold up a mirror to our hearts, gently reminding us of who we are, who we ought to be, and what it truly means to live with purpose. Pure as Water, Reflecting the Heart is one such rare and exceptional work. From the very first page, your words do not merely tell a story; they breathe compassion, integrity, courage, discipline, and unwavering love for children and education. Reading your journey feels like walking beside you, through hardship, simplicity, self-cultivation, and a lifetime dedicated to dignity and goodness.

敬愛的楊月鳳校長：

有些書，我們只是閱讀；而有些書，卻在閱讀我們自己──它們映照我們的內心，溫柔地提醒我們是誰、應當成為怎樣的人，以及何謂有使命感的人生。《白水鑑心》正是這樣一本極為罕見且卓越的作品。從翻開第一頁開始，您的文字不只是敘事，而是流露出慈悲、正直、勇氣、自律，以及對孩子與教育始終如一、毫不動搖的愛。閱讀您的生命歷程，彷彿與您並肩同行，走過艱辛、簡樸、自我修煉，以及一生奉獻於尊嚴與良善的道路。

《白水鑑心》是一本極為罕見且卓越的作品，字裡行間流露出慈悲、正直、勇氣、自律，以及對孩子與教育始終如一、毫不動搖的愛。(攝影：編輯組)

One passage that stayed with me long after I closed the book is your reminder that:

"I have always believed that for every day I serve as principal, I must live up to the title 'principal'."

This single sentence captures your entire spirit, a spirit rooted in humility, absolute integrity, and a profound sense of duty. It speaks not only of leadership, but of heart leadership: a leadership that is grounded in conscience, service, and love. It is this purity of intention this "plain-water" simplicity that makes your philosophy so transformational.

書中有一段話，在我闔上書本後仍長久縈繞心頭，您提醒我們：

「我始終相信，只要我擔任校長的一天，就必須配得上『校長』這個稱號。」

短短一句話，已完整呈現了您的精神内涵──根植於謙卑、絕對的正直，以及深刻的責任感。這不僅是領導力的體現，更是一種「以心為本的領導」：立足於良知、服務與愛的領導。正是這分純粹的初心、這種「清水般」的簡單與澄明，使您的教育理念具有深遠的轉化力量。

楊月鳳校長分享，培育一個孩子，等同於培育一個社會的未來；每一次誠實的行動、每一分耐心的付出、每一句帶著善意的話語，都足以改變人的一生。(攝影：蕭嘉明)

Your book is extraordinary because it is not simply about education; it is about humanity. You teach us that to nurture a child is to nurture the future of a society. You remind us that every act of honesty, every moment of patience, every word spoken with kindness carries the power to shape a life. You remind us that education is not about grand gestures but about consistency, clarity, compassion, and example the quiet strength of doing what is right even when no one is watching.

Your life's journey, from hardship to self-discipline to stewardship, is profoundly inspiring. The way you weave personal experience with educational wisdom, the way you honour your mother's teachings, and the way you uphold the dignity of every child and teacher moves the heart deeply. Your unwavering belief that "education can overturn poverty" and that "there are no unteachable-children"-is not only empowering but healing for those who have felt unseen or underestimated.

您的著作之所以非凡，不僅因為它談教育，更因為它直指人性。您教導我們，培育一個孩子，等同於培育一個社會的未來；您提醒我們，每一次誠實的行動、每一分耐心的付出、每一句帶著善意的話語，都足以改變一個人的一生。您讓我們明白，教育不在於驚天動地的壯舉，而在於持之以恆的實踐──清楚的原則、慈悲的心念，以及以身作則；即使無人注視，也依然堅持做對的事，那是一種靜默而堅定的力量。

您的人生歷程，從困頓到自律，再到承擔重任，令人由衷敬佩。您將個人生命經驗與教育智慧交織呈現，深情承繼母親的教誨，並始終守護每一位孩子與教師的尊嚴，深深撼動人心。您堅定地相信「教育可以翻轉貧窮」，也相信「沒有教不會的孩子」，這樣的信念不僅賦予人力量，更撫慰了那些曾被忽視或低估的心靈。

Alex與Zoleka深感能與楊月鳳校長相遇、聆聽她的分享、向她學習，是人生難得的福分，也是一份提醒人們善良真實存在的珍貴禮物。(攝影：袁亞棋) 

Alex and I have been truly blessed to have met you, listened to you, and learned from you. Encounters such as ours do not happen often in life; they are gifts, reminders that goodness exists in its purest form. To meet a person like you, who lives her values with such clarity and humility, is to be reminded that the world is still filled with light. You have touched our lives not only through your book but through your presence, your sincerity, and your quiet strength.

Thank you for opening your heart so generously on every page. Thank you for showing us that leadership is service, that teaching is love in action, and that a person can remain as "pure as water" even in a world that often tests one's principles. Thank you for modelling courage without harshness, wisdom without pride, and discipline without losing tenderness.

Alex與我能夠與您相遇、聆聽您的分享、向您學習，實在是莫大的福分。這樣的相逢，在人生中並不多見；它是一份禮物，提醒我們良善以最純淨的形式真實存在。遇見像您這樣的人──以如此清明與謙卑活出自身價值──讓我們再次相信，這個世界依然充滿光明。您不僅透過書本觸動了我們，也以您的存在、真誠與内斂的力量，深刻影響了我們的生命。

感謝您在每一頁文字中如此慷慨地敞開心扉；感謝您讓我們看見，領導即是服務，教學是愛的實踐；也讓我們明白，一個人即使身處充滿考驗的世界，仍能保持如水般的純淨。您示範了不帶鋒芒的勇氣、不含驕傲的智慧，以及在嚴謹中仍不失溫柔的自律。

 楊月鳳校長在每一頁文字中慷慨敞開心扉，讓我們看見：領導即是服務，教學是愛的實踐；即使身處考驗之中，仍能保持如水般的純淨與溫柔自律。(攝影：周幸弘)

Your work is not just inspiring it is transformative. It encourages us to be better educators, better leaders, and better human beings. We carry your lessons with us, and we will continue to share the ripples of love, discipline, and integrity you have poured into our hearts.

We also wanted to honour you with a small gift a necklace that we hope you will truly love. It is not merely an ornament, but a symbol carrying the spirit and heritage of our people. In Zulu culture, a necklace is more than decoration; it is a language of its own. It represents respect, connection, gratitude, and the deep acknowledgment of someone's wisdom and presence.

您的作品不只是啟發人心，更具有改變生命的力量。它促使我們成為更好的教育者、更好的領導者，也成為更好的人。我們會將您的教誨珍藏於心，並持續將您所灌注的愛、自律與正直，化為一圈圈溫柔而堅定的漣漪，傳遞出去。

此外，我們也希望以一份小小的禮物向您致敬──一條項鍊，衷心希望您會喜愛。它不僅是一件飾品，更承載著我們族群的精神與文化。在祖魯文化中，項鍊不只是装飾，而是一種獨特的語言，象徵尊敬、連結、感恩，以及對一個人智慧與存在的深刻肯定。

在祖魯文化中，項鍊不只是装飾，而是一種獨特的語言，象徵尊敬、連結、感恩，以及對一個人智慧與存在的深刻肯定。(攝影：慈拓)

Zulu beadwork is famously known as "the art that speaks." Each pattern, each colour, and each stitch is intentional. Beadwork is traditionally created with care and worn close to the heart a reminder that the person receiving it is valued, honoured, and held in high regard.

The colours often symbolise purity, love, truth, hope, and spiritual protection. To gift such a necklace is to say:

"Siyakuhlonipha - we honour you."
"Siyakubonga - we thank you."
"Siyakwazisa - we appreciate your spirit."

祖魯珠飾素有「會說話的藝術」之稱──每一個圖樣、每一種色彩、每一道工序，皆蘊含心意。這些珠飾以用心製作，貼近心口佩戴，象徵受贈者被珍視、被尊敬、被高度肯定。其色彩往往象徵純淨、愛、真理、希望與精神守護。贈子這樣一條項鍊,正是在傳達：

「Siyakuhlonipha──我們敬重您。」
「Siyakubonga──我們感謝您。」
「Siyakwazisa──我們珍惜並讚賞您的精神。」

期盼當楊月鳳校長配戴祖魯珠飾時，能感受到來自南非的愛、祖魯工藝的驕傲，以及所有受您啟發之人的深切感謝。(攝影：朱恆民)

By giving you this necklace, we want you to feel the warmth, respect, and admiration that we hold for you. Just as your book reflects a heart that is pure, disciplined, and filled with compassion, this necklace reflects the cultural beauty, strength, and unity of our people. It is a token of gratitude for the way your wisdom has touched our lives, and a blessing we hope you will carry close to your heart, just as we carry your teachings in ours. We hope that when you wear it, you will feel the love of South Africa, the pride of Zulu craftsmanship, and the heartfelt appreciation of those whose lives you have inspired.

It is an honour to have crossed paths with you. It is a privilege to learn from you. And it is a blessing to continue walking forward with your wisdom as our guide.

藉由這條項鍊，我們希望您能感受到我們對您的溫暖、尊敬與由衷的仰慕。正如您的著作映照出一顆純淨、自律、充滿慈悲的心，這條項鍊也象徵著我們族群的文化之美、堅韌與合一。它是我們對您智慧深刻影響我們生命的感恩之意，也是一分祝福──願您將它佩戴在心口，如同我們將您的教誨珍藏於心。期盼當您配戴它時，能感受到來自南非的愛、祖魯工藝的驕傲，以及所有受您啟發之人的深切感謝。

能與您相遇，是一分榮幸；能向您學習，是一種特權；而能在未來的道路上，持續以您的智慧作為指引，更是一分深深的祝福。

能與楊月鳳校長（右三）相遇，是一分榮幸；向她學習，是一種特權；未來能以她的智慧作為指引，更是一分深深的祝福。(圖片來源：袁亞棋提供)

With deep respect, admiration, and gratitude,
Alex Qwabe & Zoleka Mkhabela

謹致最深的敬意、欽佩與感恩
Alex Qwabe與Zoleka Mkhabela敬上