The world of Tzu Chi April 2021 (Vol.133)

2021 • 04 16 eature A fter the Chinese New Year holidays, the automotive parts shop was getting busy again. On February 24, Wong Lee Poh received an e-mail from Tzu Chi KL & Selangor office, requesting for volunteers to visit and assess the situation of a refugee family in dire need. This refugee family lives in Taman Chi Liung, Klang. Lian Khaw Thang, the six-year-old son of Dal En Lam, the head of the household, accidentally burnt himself in the kitchen last year, and needed a second surgery. Besides needing urgent fund for medical expenses, the family also had outstanding utility bills and rents, and were on the verge of being expelled from the house. The following day, while most Chinese families were busy celebrating Chap Goh Mei, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, Lee Poh contacted Dal En Lam to understand his plight. She called the Selayang Hospital to learn about the surgical expenses and admission procedures. For the next three days, Lee Poh vigorously handled the case, conducting home visits and applying for RM5,000 from Tzu Chi for the surgical expenses. Aided by volunteer Chong Sui San, Dal En Lam’s utility bills and rents were settled. Lee Poh could finally breathe a sigh of relief once Dal En Lam admitted his son to the hospital on February 28. Report by Koh Poo Leng & Yap Chai Hoon Photo by Koh Poo Leng Translated by Yew Siew Yong Police intervention in a case of domestic violence To resolve such urgent cases, volunteers need adequate experience and the urgency to act immediately. Sixty-eight-year-old Lee Poh, who assists her husband in running an automotive parts shop, is Tzu Chi’s best candidate in urgent situations because of her flexible working hours. Lee Poh got involved in Tzu Chi’s home visits 14 years ago. In the beginning, she was accompanied by volunteer Tan Kwee Eng. The latter would take care of problems, while she learnt from the side. After years of learning, she was finally ready. Four years ago, she took care of a family affected by an Growing while helping others “Once, a care recipient rang me up at night and told me, in between sobs, that her family got into a heated argument because one of themwas involved in drugs. They even broke things and scared the two kids to tears. I was thinking of how to help her…”—Volunteer Wong Lee Poh Through her years of experience in charity work, volunteer Wong Lee Poh also improves herself and grows in the process.