The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.116)

By Tan Kim Hion Translated by Lee Shee Yik Photographs by Ch'ng Kooi Tick ouching Life Story It was a heart-warming send-off for US-bound Anjum, a refugee from Pakistan, and her sons, where tearful farewells were replaced by heartfelt blessings and well wishes of hope. The volunteers’ kind gesture filled Anjum with renewed strength to take on the challenges ahead in her quest for a better life with her family in a foreign land. Please K epMe in Your Prayers I n June 2019, a team of volunteers were pleased to receive encouraging news from Pakistani native Anjum Ara. She and her two sons were informed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that their applications to resettle in the US had been approved. The volunteers celebrated the occasion on June 15 by preparing a spread of vegetarian dishes for Anjum and her sons. A group of volunteers seated themselves on the floor of Anjum’s rented apartment unit. The cramped space was rather stifling, with only a small fan offering relief from the stale air. The stuffy conditions failed to deter the volunteers from conveying their heartfelt well wishes to Anjum and her eldest son, Abdul WahabAbbasi. Anjum was grateful for all the volunteers had done for her family. Her eyes were moist with tears as she read the lyrics of “We Are Family”, which have been translated into English for her, while the volunteers performed a sign language rendition of the song. When one of the volunteers, How Lee Yen explained the lyrics to Anjum, she nodded in agreement, remarking, “We are family, regardless of religion, status or nationality.” 2019 • 11 44