The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.114).

2019 • 09 42 Ming Mei to keep skin irritation at bay. According to Ming Mei, Tzu Chi first took notice of Aunt Rose after reading about her plight in the newspapers in 2015. The sight of a forlorn Aunt Rose emerging from her house to greet the visiting volunteers on all fours – with the gaunt Ajang lying by her side – left a lasting impression on Ming Mei. Tzu Chi decided to extend aid to the couple by subsidizing their living expenses, including the costs of milk powder, adult diapers and other essentials. Following Ajang’s demise, their welfare handout allocation was reduced by half. Meanwhile, Tzu Chi continued to support Aunt Rose financially, in addition to regular visits by volunteers. During the day, Aunt Rose would tend to her yam farm and retreat indoors to craft her handmade wares when the heat peaks. At night, she would honour her husband’s memory by either gazing lovingly at his portrait in the living room, or by singing to herself his favourite song on the karaoke player. “I don’t have many friends. My only companion at home is the radio. I’m glad to have the company of the volunteers,” professed Aunt Rose, who remains appreciative of the volunteers’ company. Moving on The volunteers were concerned that the loss of Ajang would take an emotional toll on Aunt Rose. Hence, they introduced her to recycling work in the hope that she would find new company at the recycling centre. On the days scheduled for recycling activities by the local community of Lutong, Aunt Rose would have her breakfast early in the morning and change into her favourite outfit. Instead of crawling her way outdoors, she has learnt to navigate through the narrow alleys surrounding her home with the support of her walker to the volunteers’ vehicles, waiting to take her to the recycling centre. Whenever Aunt Rose opens up about her predicament, she radiates wit through her anecdotes laced with humour, as if to deflect sympathy and reassure the volunteers not to worry about her. Miri is an ethnically diverse region, hence the Lutong Baru Recycling Centre has seen volunteers from various ethnic tribes of the indigenous community passing through its doors. Meeting volunteers conversant in her Limited mobility has never hinderedAunt Rose from living life to the fullest with her functioning limbs. [Photograph by Hiew Chin Haur] ouching Life Story