The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.111)

2019 • 06 18 W hen volunteer Kok Ah Kuan was due for cataract surgery in April 2019, she confided in Mee Hong about her worries of going under the knife. The latter eased her anxiety and reassured her by saying, “Be grateful that you have every chance of regaining your vision after the surgery. Think of the surgery as a simple procedure; removing the cataract from your eye is as quick and effortless as vacuuming dust off the floor. It’ll be over before you know it.” Cooking was out of bounds for Ah Kuan following the surgery as she needed to recuperate, but her meals were taken care of by Mee Hong, who would prepare an extra portion for dinner and deliver it to Ah Kuan’s doorstep for her and her daughters. Ah Kuan and Mee Hong have known each other for more than a decade, and the former’s family regards Mee Hong as a caring and thoughtful friend who radiates positivity wherever she goes. Seeking respite in recycling work Ah Kuan first patronized Mee Hong’s hair salon at a friend’s recommendation and soon became a regular. Her admiration for Mee Hong grew upon witnessing her ability to juggle between her hairdressing business, family obligations and volunteering with Tzu Chi. The marked contrast between Mee Hong’s hectic routine and her own days spent tending to domestic affairs and leisurely pastimes, such as gardening, had compelled her to reflect on her life of relative ease. As a gesture of support for Mee Hong’s dedication to Tzu Chi’s cause, she agreed to sign up as a Tzu Chi donor to do her part for charity. In 2015, Ah Kuan’s rosy life seemed to eature