The World Of Tzu Chi March 2024 (Vol.149)

TZU CHI 149 15 Cherishing karmic bonds By Tan Kim Hion Photo by Yong Mun Fei H o l d i ng a wa l k i ng cane, Lee Fong, a septuagenarian volunteer with silver hair and a slight stoop, attended the 30th Anniversary celebration a c compan i ed by he r husband, Chan Chee Hin, who is also a volunteer. “All the Taiwanese speakers, whether it is CEO Yen, Mama Ji, or Sister Hong, mentioned Master in their speeches. Listening to them felt as though I was attending lessons in Taiwan. They seemed to represent the Master, bringing blessings and encouragement to us Tzu Chi KL & Selangor volunteers…” Lee Fong said with joy. Lee Fong’s connection with Tzu Chi began with the South Asian tsunami at the end of 2004. At that time, she came across volunteers who were raising relief funds on the streets, and her compassion was evoked. In 2006, she and her husband joined as volunteers, and in 2009, they fulfilled their wish to go to Taiwan for commissioner certification. However, after nearly a decade of voluntary service, Lee Fong’s faced health issues. When fellow volunteers presented her with a specially-designed invitation card from Echo Chien, CEO of Tzu Chi KL & Selangor, and sincerely invited her to attend the 30th Anniversary celebration and reunite with the Tzu Chi family, she considered her health conditions and finally decided to attend the event. She exclaimed, “If I had not come back today, I would have regretted it! I was worried about my physical energy, but unexpectedly, not only did I manage to attend the lessons for the entire day, I have also gained a lot of inner strength!” After the lessons ended, she shared with fellow volunteers beside her, “Recently, I was deeply touched when I saw the scene of Master certifying volunteers on Da Ai TV. Master is in her 80s, yet she still constantly cares about her disciples and the suffering in the world. What are my little pains compared to that? I want to return to the Tzu Chi family and be a dutiful disciple of Master.” With this thought, Lee Fong smiled even brighter. Her initial aspiration to be a devoted volunteer has been revived!