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

2021 • 04 40 Love opens up his door to happiness Report and photo by Julie Yen Yu Chu Translated by Lee You Zhuan “Since the start of the pandemic, I have only managed to live on bread, biscuits and plain water almost daily. I went out to buy food once a week, and my mobile phone had run out of credit, so I could not make calls. I was disconnected from the outside world...” — So Chia Chiang S o Chia Chiang, a receptionist at a foot massage shop, lost his job due to the MCO. With little savings left and friends’ help, he survived with about RM5 a day. Because he could no longer afford to pay rent, he had to move and stay at a friend’s storage room. Without transportation, the 51-year-old walked around to nearby shops, attempting to find a job. He was often rejected because of his age. For several months, Chia Chiang lived only on bread and biscuits, and this had led to malnutrition. He also has a heart condition and was always out of breath when walking or talking. Frustrated and struggling to cope with the pressure alone, he started to overthink and isolate himself at home. When he felt utterly hopeless and helpless, his friend gave him a Tzu Chi bamboo bank full of coins to help him, and told him that he could turn to Tzu Chi for assistance. “When Tzu Chi volunteers came to visit, there was only RM5 left in the bamboo bank. That was all I had. I did not know how to live my life anymore.” Chia Chiang could not help feeling emotional when he recalled the dire situation. He did not forget the kindness of the volunteers who first came to visit him on October 10, 2020, and returned four days later to provide the much-needed financial aid. Volunteer Koh Geok Ping said, “He was living in such a messy and dirty storage room. Seeing his desperate situation, we felt for him, and were determined to help him stand up again; to bring hope to his life. If he were to continue to live like this, he would slowly be out of touch with society and give up on himself.” The volunteers cared for Chia Chiang in a way that they would for a long-term care recipient. Apart from providing financial aid, they went further to help him find a place to stay and search for job opportunities for him. Koh Geok Ping found a second-hand bicycle and gave it to So Chia Chiang to commute to work. Covid-19 Relief