The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

TZU CHI 112 41 her family’s well-being, as well as extend moral support to her over the course of her treatment. Kyin Kyu has always had faith in her fellow countrymen as her pillar of strength to rely on in times of need, but her encounter with the volunteers altered her conviction. She professed to have never expected the volunteers, who are not related to her by blood, to welcome her into the fold like family. During festive seasons, the volunteers would not only bring her festive delicacies like rice dumplings, mooncakes or pastries, but also express concern for her family. She appreciated the volunteers’ unconditional kindness in making her feel at home in a foreign land. Kyin Kyu is grateful to have received help, but at the same time expressed her hope to secure casual employment to support the family’s livelihood or even bear her own dialysis expenses one day so that her share of Tzu Chi’s subsidy could be channelled to those who are more deserving. She was moved by the assistance provided by Tzu Chi and her friends to tide her over difficult times. “I’m forever indebted to those who have helped me in times of need,” she declared. The self-reliant Kyin Kyu is constantly on the lookout for various means to supplement her household income, including working odd jobs that are less demanding, such as housekeeping, administrative tasks and online retailing. Her household expenditure soared with the addition of her dialysis fees, yet she would insist on saving up spare change for charity in the spirit of giving over receiving. Kyin Kyu’s illness turned out to be somewhat a blessing in disguise, as her children had learnt to be more considerate and had matured into well-behaved and sensible individuals, while her husband would volunteer to help with the household chores. Kyin Kyu herself now pays more attention to her diet, in addition to participating in line dancing sessions in her community and staying fit with regular exercise. “Hospital wards are rife with pain and suffering. It’s difficult to empathize with the pain endured by the patients unless we experience the pain ourselves. Now, I’m aware that health is of paramount importance,” she mused. The past year, since commencing dialysis treatment, had been a rough ride for KyinKyu, but she remains determined not to be defeated by her condition. She credits her husband and children as her source of motivation to go on living. The hours spent in dialysis sessions no longer felt like drudgery. Instead, she cherishes the idle time as an opportunity to enjoy some peace and solitude. She is content with her current circumstances and values quality time with her family. Her health might have been compromised, but in return, she has been granted the fortune of rekindling warm and loving relationships with her loved ones. The volunteers visit Kyin Kyu at her home monthly to check on her and her family’s well-being. [Photograph by Lim Yen Kuan]