The world of Tzu Chi June 2020 (Vol.123)

2020 • 06 44 ouching Life Story caught relieving herself in public on several occasions when she was wandering around aimlessly. Startled onlookers alerted the police, who immediately informed Wai Tooh. Some concerned acquaintances reported their plight to Tzu Chi, hoping for the volunteers to offer assistance to both mother and son. Tzu Chi formally registered their case for consideration in October 2018. Back then, volunteer Goh Chooi Leng arrived at their home with an official from the Department of Social Welfare to assess their predicament. Mrs Chew finally relented and returned home fatigued, compounded by her worsening eyesight. However, she resisted entering the house. Wai Tooh had no choice but to settle her on the corridor during the day and usher her back indoors when night fell. “She was reluctant to stay in the house. Her excuse was that the ventilation indoors was poor; she favoured the corridor as it’s more airy outdoors,” shared Wai Tooh, who never refused his mother’s requests. He slept at his mother’s feet at night, worried that if he were to miss her calls, she would trip and fall while walking around the house unaided. Wai Tooh slept on the cold, hard cement flooring with nothing but a small pillow. One night, he was awakened from deep slumber by his mother’s shouts, which woke the neighbours. The pressure-cooker lifestyle Mrs Chew led during her younger years had caused her to be easily frustrated. The volunteers learnt from the neighbours that she used to berate her children loudly. “She called her son useless for being unable to earn more. Her accusations were harsh,” recalled Chooi Leng, who had known the mother-and-son pair since the beginning. Nevertheless, Wai Tooh kept his composure and never talked back against his mother, as he felt obligated to attend to her. “My mother cared for me when I was young. Now it’s my turn to care for her in old age!” he insisted. Later, Mrs Chew openly relieved herself along the corridor of the flat, much to the neighbours’ dismay. Therefore, the volunteers paid visits to the neighbours to express their concern and explain the circumstances faced by Wai Tooh. Fortunately, the neighbours were understanding. Reciprocating the kindness As a result of many sleepless nights, Wai Tooh had been struggling to focus on the job and was eventually dismissed by the shoe factory he worked in. After discussing with the now-unemployed Wai Tooh, the volunteers proposed to provide himwith a monthly subsidy of RM300, in addition to the welfare handout he had been receiving from the Department of Social Welfare, to enable him to stay home to take care of his mother full-time. Wai Tooh agreed without hesitation. Mrs Chew had a small appetite and preferred frequent meals in lesser portions.When she complained of hunger at about 11 a.m., Wai Tooh prepared a beverage and some bread for her, before heading for the Serdang Recycling Education Centre on his motorcycle. When asked about his motivation to serve at the recycling centre considering the unrelenting efforts required to care for his mother, he replied, “I want to help others! I’m inspired by the assistance offered to me by Tzu Chi to contribute to charity.” For the past year or so, Wai Tooh had been committing himself to the daily routine of checking in at the recycling centre. He had also forged a close bond with the volunteers,