The world of Tzu Chi August 2020 (Vol.125)

2020 • 08 20 eature Encouraging stories of resilience Tzu Chi volunteers have been dedicating themselves to charity by lending a helping hand to the suffering. How did some of them cope when their lives had been affected by the pandemic? Settling for less brings contentment Chay Sie Wai (Clerk) A soft heart amidst hard times TamYu Siong (Vegetarian food hawker) The souvenir shop where I work had requested employees to take unpaid leave since February. Coincidentally, a friend employed me as an accounting staff. I am grateful to my friend for the learning opportunity. Althoughmy current salary is lower than when I worked as a clerk, being employed is better than sitting idle at home. I started my new job in early March and did not earn an income in April, but fortunately my husband’s job was not affected, so our family managed to scrape by. During the MCO, I volunteered to conduct telephone interviews with refugees to assess their eligibility for assistance from Tzu Chi. I am getting by on my savings, but I am grateful that I am still able to prepare proper meals for my family without going through the hardship endured by the refugees. I lead a simple life with my wife. We are childless, so the MCO did not affect me that much. My friends and I were aware that some impoverished families in our community had lost their source of income during the MCO and were struggling over their livelihoods. Hence, my friends generously offered to sponsor me to prepare and distribute vegetarian meals to the needy in our neighbourhood. The funds were eventually depleted, but fellow members of our community donated to the initiative and hoped for me to continue providing free meals. I divided the profits among my workers. My vegetarian food stall had suspended operations for now, but my staff needed an income. Their lives are tougher than mine. I will help as many people as I am able to, as I believe the power of kindness is boundless. [Photograph courtesy of Chay Sie Wai] [Photograph by Yong Kar Chew]