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

26 2024 • 03 Finding purpose in life By Tan Kim Hion Translated by Lee You Zhuan “If Tzu Chi does not mind my age, I will continue to serve…” – Yap Ka Sam O nstage for the first time, 78-year-old Yap Ka Sam shared his long-awaited spring. He shyly expressed joy at seeing so many people, adding that his legs were actually trembling. As his words fell, applause erupted from the audience. Grandpa Yap, who lives alone, worked as a construction contractor in his younger days. As the years advanced and heavy labour on construction sites became too taxing, he transitioned to driving a taxi in Kedah, mainly transporting passengers to the Thai border. The stable income allowed him to live contentedly in the area for eight years. However, in 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic left him without income for a daunting seven to eight months, plunging him into hardship. In 2021, Grandpa Yap returned to settle in Kuala Lumpur. At the time, many industries were still reeling from the pandemic’s impact, and job hunting was especially challenging for someone of his age. Fortunately, during his most difficult time, a friend provided him with contact information for Tzu Chi KL & Selangor. When the volunteers visited Grandpa Yap, they found him temporarily staying with a relative who ran a hawker business. As the house was filled with stocks and merchandise, there was only room for a single mattress. Despite encountering various hardships in his old age, Grandpa Yap harboured no complaints. Instead, he exhibited a serene acceptance of fate. The volunteers, however, felt for him and were determined to provide him with a more conducive living space. After some arrangements, Grandpa Yap moved into a vacant room at the home of a Tzu Chi care recipient and recycling volunteer. As he lay on the new mattress provided by volunteers, Grandpa Yap smiled and said that he had not slept so comfortably in years. Discovering purpose and joy Although Grandpa Yap had seen Tzu Chi volunteers on Da Ai TV, he never anticipated Finding the meaning of life at the recycling centre, Grandpa Yap encouraged all to conserve the Earth hand in hand. [Photo by Lee Kok Keong]