The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.107)

TZU CHI 107 29 However in 2018, a friend introduced him to Tzu Chi in a time of need, bringing hope to his life. He wrote on the card: “Thanks for turning my life around from when I could not walk to where I can take care of myself independently. Thank you very much.” Besides taking it as a form of rehabilitative exercise, working at the recycling point opened up his heart. With gratitude, all three of his family members became Tzu Chi donors and adopted a bamboo bank each. Thian Lai hopes to give back to society when he recovers. Appreciating simple happiness through renewed affinity “I knew about Tzu Chi since 15 years ago.” Recounting his affinity with Tzu Chi, Lee Leong Meng still remembers Tzu Chi’s help in his time of need. At that time, his uncle suffered from brain cancer and blindness. Tzu Chi subsidized his nursing home expenses. In March 2018, Leong Meng almost lost his left leg in an accident when working at a construction site. Luckily, he managed to keep his leg after four rounds of surgery but was unable to work due to his limited mobility.With the government’swelfare handouts and Tzu Chi’s subsidy in living expenses, the family’s financial burden was relieved. Difficult times hit the family hard. Volunteers installed Da Ai TV in their home so that Leong Meng and his mother could gain positive strength from the programmes.When the doctor informed Leong Meng that he needed at least six months for recovery, he accepted it with an open heart. Leong Meng was very happy to celebrate the New Year with many people of different races. He said, “After seeing so many people in wheelchairs too, I feel blessed to be able to walk soon, but some of them might never walk again…” Counting his blessings, he silently wished, “I hope to recover and get a job soon to live in the moment.” Aclose companionship built on mutual kindness Care recipient Roslina binti Ahmad made her way to fetch Norila binti Bujang to attend the year-end distribution event. The joyful singing, encouraging applause and the entertaining “God of Prosperity” brought a smile to Norila’s face. She said, “I am not welcomed anywhere else but here, I feel accepted, and people of various races are present. I am so happy.” Norila’slegswereamputatedduetodiabetes. She lives with her paralysed sister, Azizah binti Bujang, as both their husbands had passed away. They had been care recipients of Tzu Chi Tampin since 2011 and when they moved to Malacca in 2018, they were transferred to Tzu Chi Malacca. Both are very grateful to Tzu Chi volunteers for cleaning up their house after a flood once. “We have been receiving Tzu Chi’s aid for nearly ten years now. They are very sincere in helping us and even arranged for a friend to fetch me here. I am very thankful for the volunteers’ home visits and care. Thank you very much.” When Roslina learnt from the volunteers that Norila spends most of her time staring out the window from her bed due to her disability, she offered to fetch Norila to the event out of kindness. She then discovered that Norila is a friend of hers from many years ago. Roslina said that her husband also lost one of his legs and receivedTzu Chi’s help throughout his dialysis treatment. Even though her husband Celebrating the Year-end Distribution as One Family