The world of Tzu Chi January 2020 (Vol.118)

2020 • 01 06 eature I n the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department of the KL Tzu-Chi Free Clinic, TCMphysicianKongHoLeh is busy attending to a stream of patients, her professional demeanour complemented by her pristine white doctor’s coat. Ho Leh, 26, often goes the extra mile to make her patients feel at ease by engaging them in casual, light-hearted banter. Every patient who enters her consultation room is greeted with warm hospitality courtesy of Ho Leh herself, who would patiently address her patients’ concerns before deciding on a diagnosis. Her patients, most of whom are senior citizens, trust her wholeheartedly despite her young age, taking in her every word unquestioningly. “Try drinking less water at night. That should solve the problem,” she gently comforted a senior who was fretting over his sleep being interrupted by frequent trips to the toilet throughout the night. Her own disadvantaged past has sensitized her to the needs of her elderly patients, enabling her to sympathize with them in the same way she cares for her disabled parents. The thoughtful daughter would alleviate any bodily discomfort experienced by her parents through acupuncture treatments or soothing massages. Ho Leh is a living example of the power of education to transform lives. She was finally qualified as a TCM physician in 2018, after years of hard work. She lifted her family from the clutches of poverty with her diligence and determination, but many children of school- going age in East Malaysia struggle to stay in school with the odds stacked against them. In November 2019, the plight of three siblings from an impoverished family in Miri, Sarawak who have been attending school on a rotating basis was reported in Borneo-based daily See Hua Daily News , directing public attention to the challenges faced by rural students in securing an education. The siblings’ cash-strapped parents are only able to afford the school bus fare for one child, but instead of giving up on school, the siblings improvised a “schedule” that enables each of them to attend classes in turn, alternating between different days of the week to share the sole bus seat between themto travel to school.The vast expanse and uneven terrain of the Borneo island pose a major obstacle to rural students, who have to traverse long, arduous journeys – sometimes by boat – to arrive at school. Yet, the resilient siblings persisted through hardship for a chance at a better life. The elephant in the room Knowledge is power, especially when amassed collectively. An educated citizenry forms a formidable force that propels a country forward, hence a holistic education system is essential in nurturing productive citizens equippedwith a competitive edge and the aptitude for contributing to the nation’s development. The Malaysian government has been waiving the costs of education from the primary to secondary levels to equip citizens with basic literacy skills and to facilitate the pursuit of further learning. Every Malaysian citizen is entitled to 11 years of free education, encompassing six years of primary education and five years of secondary school. Primary education has been made mandatory by the Malaysian government for children aged 12 and below, but a zero dropout rate remains a pipe dream. During a question-and-