The world of Tzu Chi (Vol.111)

2019 • 06 06 W arm rays of sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating the interior of the hair salon owned by volunteer Ng Mee Hong. Nestled within the first floor of the Taman Salak Selatan apartment, the family-style establishment has been serving the neighbourhood for the past 13 years. Upon entering its premises, one would be greeted with a neatly arranged row of chairs, one opposite each of the spotless mirrors mounted on the walls. A cursory view of the humble space reveals an assortment of scissors, hair clips, hair products and other tools of the hairdressing trade lined up atop racks and shelves of various sizes. The hair salon is a retreat of sorts for the housewives residing in the neighbourhood, an outlet to voice their grouses or seek momentary reprieve from their daily routine. On a quiet afternoon at the hair salon, a disgruntled old lady was having her hair done by Mee Hong while lamenting about being left alone at home by her children and grandchildren, who are away at work and school respectively during the day. Mee Hong indulged the old lady’s rants obligingly, as she intuitively sensed that the latter had longed for a listening ear. As Mee Hong shampooed the old lady’s hair, she placated her with a reminder that being able to move around independently at her age and to be united with her next-of-kin are her blessings, as opposed to the plight of ageing seniors who end up in nursing homes. The old lady’s initial frustration dissipated as she pondered Mee Hong’s words and smiled sheepishly. Casual, uplifting exchanges like this and neighbourly banter are the norm in Mee Hong’s hair salon. Prior to her involvement in Tzu Chi, Mee Hong used to respond to other people’s grievances with either a dismissive comment or an anecdote or two of her own. However, eature