The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.115).

40 2019 • 10 By Leong Imm Chon Translated by Lee Hui Yieng Photographs courtesy of Leong Imm Chon ouching Life Story Leong Siew Cheong was unmistakably born a Malaysian, yet his love for Hualien, Taiwan was evident in his final wish to be laid to rest on Taiwanese soil. He passed away at the age of 74 on June 8, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of selfless compassion for the living through organ donation. Bringing Hop through Organ Donation L eong Siew Cheong passed away peacefully on June 8, 2019 in Taiwan. His memorial service was held on June 12 at Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Centre, before he was laid to rest in Hualien, the place he loved most, that same afternoon. His daughters, Yien Ngo and Imm Chon, fulfilled his final wish by donating his corneas, bones and ligaments to benefit more than a hundred people. Born and bred in Sarawak, Siew Cheong was the youngest among three siblings in a modest family of farmers. His older brother died of illness when he was three, and his childhood was blighted by poverty. At the tender age of five, his daily routine consisted of following his father to tap rubber trees at 2 a.m. and assisting with the household chores in the evening. He only enrolled in Primary 1 at the age of 13, but had to quit school after his third year to support his family’s livelihood. Despite lacking in educational qualifications, he managed to raise his two daughters and provide for their education, both of whom are teachers with a Master’s degree. His passion for philanthropy was exemplified by his exceptional patience in encouraging others to contribute to charity. At home, his meals were taken care of by his daughters, whilst in Tzu Chi, he was in charge of whipping up vegetarian meals. In his youth, Siew Cheong’s attempt at cultivating pepper plants was a failed venture, compelling him to relocate from Sarikei to Sibu