The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.109)

2019 • 04 12 eature volunteering at a nearby recycling centre since October 2018 under the guidance of volunteers, whenever his health permits. Tang Soong looks forward to carrying out recycling work at the recycling centre on Sunday mornings. He cherishes it as an opportunity to do his part for a charitable cause despite his failing eyesight. “I am aware that the proceeds collected from Tzu Chi’s recycling efforts go to a good cause, so I am willing to dedicate my Sundays to helping others!” he declared. Come rain or shine, Kang Jiann would obligingly fetch Tang Soong and his friend, Keow Pak On, to volunteer at the Jinjang Recycling Education Centre. The recycling volunteers would gather the textbooks to be recycled at a fixed location in the recycling centre to make it more convenient for Tang Soong to sort them for recycling. Upon arriving at the recycling centre, Tang Soong would start by peeling off the outermost layer of plastic, followed by detaching the book cover from the inner pages, before finally compiling the loose inner pages into neat stacks. “I rely on my sense of touch to distinguish between different types of paper products. For instance, cardboard has a more coarse texture,” he said. Pak On and Jit Han would keep him company and assist him as needed. Working through the mounting piles of paper, Tang Soong confessed, “I wish my vision will be restored one day. If that ever happens, Brother Wong (Kang Jiann) would be the first person I would like to see. I cannot imagine how my life would have turned out if it weren’t for Brother Wong and Tzu Chi.” Tzu Chi volunteers light the way for Tang Soong to compensate for his deteriorating eyesight, guiding him out of the darkness by showing him the virtuous path to charity. He pledged to volunteer at the recycling centre daily if he ever regains his vision. Kang Jiann was very pleased to witness Tang Soong’s change in mindset. “Tang Soong used to be very pessimistic when we first approached him. But with our support, his overall well-being has now improved, not to mention, his shift to a more positive mindset. Even a little kindness goes a long way in making a difference in someone else’s life. Reaching out to disadvantaged groups in our community makes our society a better place,” advised Kang Jiann. Lim Jit Han , volunteer Witnessing BrotherTang Soong’s plight remindedme of the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing it. He might never regain his vision, but he has been trying his best to live life to the fullest. This realization prompted me to reflect and ask myself, what is there to complain about? Whenever I faced stumbling blocks in life, I would dwell on them and exaggerate my misfortune. But on second thought, they seem inconsequential compared to the adversity Tang Soong is going through. From another perspective, I am indeed fortunate to be blessed with good health. Therefore, Tang Soong’s resilience inmeeting life’s challenges has taught me to bemore open-minded and adopt a more optimistic outlook on life.