The world of Tzu Chi June 2021 (Vol.135)

2021 • 06 48 somewhere he could remember. In the past, Saw Yong had once lost her way home. Hence, Lih Jing also prepared two tags with Saw Yong and Yee Meng’s name and address on them and gave them to the duo. Knowing that they did not always wear masks when they went out, Lih Jing also reminded Yee Meng to ensure that they wear the tags and masks whenever they leave home, and wash their hands, change their clothes and take a shower upon returning. In addition, Lih Jing requested the management office to examine the weak pressure of the water supply, which the volunteers were not able to solve. It was discovered that the pipe inside the wall had broken and they needed to wait for a plumber to fix it. Without water supply for heavy duty cleaning, the volunteers left after tidying the junk and mopping the floor but promised to return to clean the kitchen and the balcony after the pipe is fixed. On December 20, the water issue was solved. The volunteers revisited and were surprised to see the house much cleaner than before. Saw Yong smilingly said that they sweep and mop the floor daily. On that day, Yee Meng enthusiastically joined the volunteers as they cleaned the kitchen, washroom and balcony. His efforts brought smiles to Saw Yong’s face. Within half a day, the whole house was spick and span. SawTin also brought some clothes, bedsheets and blankets and taught Yee Meng how to change the bedsheets. Lih Jing, on the other hand, taught Yee Meng how to use the washing machine and the gas stove, and how to reheat food. She explained and repeatedly demonstrated, making sure Yee Meng fully understood the whole process. Saw Yong was thankful that there was finally someone to teach Yee Meng these basic living skills, and the latter was glad to see his mother so happy. I wish to do more good deeds After tidying the house, Saw Tin brought out some food to share and to celebrate the Winter Solstice festival, which fell on the following day (December 21). Lih Jing’s mother had also prepared some glutinous rice balls for everyone to eat. “Let us eat glutinous rice balls! We will be one year older thereafter,” said Saw Tin, while smiling at Saw Yong. It seemed like the latter had forgotten what it was like to celebrate this festival, or maybe it had been years since she had glutinous rice balls. She kept commenting about how delicious the glutinous rice balls were as Yee Meng fed her. Then, Mun Fei surprised everyone with a large 24-inch photograph. Yee Meng pointed at it and said that was him and his mother. The volunteers had learnt about howYee Meng used to lose his temper towards his mother. So, they guided him to express gratitude to his mother, and to promise to help with chores, so that the house would be clean and tidy. Yee Meng not only sought forgiveness from his mother, but also sincerely expressed, “Mum, I love you.” The heart-warming scene of the mother and son leaning their heads together was captured by Mun Fei, and now, he was giving it to them as remembrance. The mother and son were delighted to see the photo hung up on their living room wall. Yee Meng also pasted well wishes notes from the volunteers on the wall. This truly touched Saw Yong, and she asked Yee Meng to get the small coin bank in the shape of a Bodhi leaf, which she had obtained from Tzu ouching Life Story