The world of Tzu Chi December 2020(Vol.129)

TZU CHI 129 47 insisted on volunteering at the neighbourhood recycling centre as a way of expressing his gratitude to Tzu Chi. Offering kinship and consolation On January 6, 2019, Vijaya succumbed to his illness and passed away. Whenever Amutha mourned Vijaya’s demise, tears would stream down her face. “My husband had developed a high fever on the day before his passing. He was scheduled for a dialysis session, but when we arrived at the dialysis centre, the nurse forbade him from proceeding with dialysis, so we went to a hospital to consult a doctor, hoping that his condition would improve. Alas, his condition worsened the following day. Sensing that his final breath was imminent, he contacted his family and relatives, requesting to see them…” As memories of her husband’s last moments came flooding back, Amutha broke down in tears and sobbed woefully. “Vijaya’s eyes rolled back in his head. I panicked and didn’t know how to respond. I immediately remembered the volunteers and called Sister Tsae Feng…” Just then, Tsae Feng was driving in congested traffic. “Amutha sounded nervous and helpless. I quickly comforted her and asked her if she had called for an ambulance. Then I contacted Lee Ling and asked her to go over to Amutha’s…” The volunteers’ presence calmed Amutha’s racing heart. “I didn’t expect the volunteers to rush to my aid so promptly. I felt at ease when I saw them…” she recounted. Over the past six years, the volunteers have formed a close relationship with Amutha through their constant care and concern. Yet, they were pleasantly surprised by the sentiments Amutha conveyed to them during her late husband’s wake: “You’re not only my friends; you’re family to me.” “We almost broke into tears. We didn’t expect to have formed such a deep bond that transcended friendship through our monthly visits. I’m beyond delighted that she acknowledged me as family!” Tsae Feng enthused. Reciprocating kindness with gratitude Amutha held the volunteers’ goodwill close to her heart and was grateful for their company. “My gratitude towards the volunteers is beyond words. They went to great lengths for the sake of my family and never stopped caring for us even after my husband left. I was never lonely with them around; they’re even closer than family.” In June 2019, Tzu Chi organized a charity bazaar to raise funds for the construction of Tzu Chi International School Kuala Lumpur. The volunteers noticed Amutha’s flair for cooking and suggested that she pitched in by making murukku for sale. Amutha happily agreed at the prospect of repaying Tzu Chi. She insisted on making murukku the traditional way – a time-consuming and labour-intensive feat. Yet, she and her eldest son toiled on and managed to produce more than 80 small packets of murukku within four days. The volunteers were touched by Amutha’s determination to soldier on without complaint, in spite of the swelling and pain caused by excessive physical exertion. Instead, she commented, “I’m glad to be granted the opportunity to contribute. Although I’m unable to afford a donation to