The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.106)

TZU CHI 106 37 ‘Little mother’ aspires to become a doctor By Tan Kim Hion Translated by Lee Hui Yieng Photograph by Ong Siew Geok W hat is a blessing? While posing for a photograph with her family holding a white envelope containing a cash card, Misshadarni a/p Tharmarajah smiled broadly and said happily that it is her most blessed moment. The 2017 study incentives were used to pay for school fees, purchase reference books and stationery. Misshadarni stressed that, “What mattered most was that, with the monthly cash aid, my parents did not need to worry about my education fees at all.” Born into poverty, Misshadarni clearly understood her parents’ hardship since young. As the eldest daughter, she not only has to help with household chores but also take care of her two younger siblings. Misshadarni recounted her daily routine, “I would wake up at 4-ish every morning to do my revision. Then at 5-ish, I would prepare breakfast and then go to school with my brother at 6-plus. After school, I would fetch my sister home from the nanny, complete household chores, take care Misshadarni a/p Tharmarajah, a Primary 6 student in 2018, again qualified to receive Tzu Chi study aid this year. Her excellent UPSR academic results belied her personal family hardships and heavy responsibilities she had to shoulder. She sincerely thanked Tzu Chi for the study aid, which alleviated her parents’ financial burden and instilled great confidence in her, in the pursuit of her dreams.