The world of Tzu Chi June 2024 (Vol.150)

TZU CHI 150 07 Two Tzu Chi care recipients also shared their stories, exemplifying how the public’s love has been consolidated through Tzu Chi to help underprivileged families. One of themwas 18-year-old Nor Aisah Basry, who expressed her deep appreciation for Tzu Chi’s decade- long support, which has been instrumental in her and her sister’s education. Raised in a single-parent family, Aisah remains committed to realising her dreams of becoming a teacher. Furthermore, inspired by volunteers who shared with them Tzu Chi’s endeavours and stories of kindness during their monthly visits, Aisah and her sister now save in their bamboo banks to donate for charitable causes. Vibrant celebrations with wellness initiatives Recognising that poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health, Tzu Chi invited the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s Wellness on Wheels (WoW) mobile truck to promote health awareness at the event. The four engaging game stations: bicycle juicer, hopscotch, soft darts, and a health word search, allowed the care recipients to learn about healthy living habits in a fun way. Nur Fhaezatul from MOH emphasised, “We are now focusing on health care rather than sick care. Our aim is disease prevention. These activities are part of the services we provide to the public, encouraging them to stay active to prevent diseases and complications.” In addition to the mobile truck, the informational displays and game zone set up by TIMA also successfully captured the interest of many care recipients, who dropped in to play the games or listen to the TIMA volunteers’ sharing, all with the aim of imparting knowledge on healthy eating. The event concluded with a warm meal featuring delicious vegetarian dishes that catered to the tastes of the Malay community. Each care recipient household also received a festive gift bag, and many took home items they selected from the pre-loved items corner. For the care recipient families, the day was more than just receiving material supplies; it was about being seen, respected and valued. In a world often divided by differences, the event reminded us of our shared humanity and the profound impact of kindness and community support. Nor Aisah Basry shared a personal testimony of Tzu Chi’s impactful presence in her life. [Photo by Lim Char Boo]