The world of Tzu Chi January 2020 (Vol.118)

2020 • 01 12 eature O n a leisurely weekend, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physician Kong Ho Leh is volunteering her expertise at the KL Tzu-Chi Free Clinic in Pudu, expressing concern for her patients and administering acupuncture treatment. Ho Leh is a TCM graduate from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and completed an internship stint at the Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine. Upon returning to Malaysia, she served another internship at Tung Shin Hospital in Kuala Lumpur and was officially certified as a TCM physician in May 2018. She has since been building a stable career in TCM and sets aside a day each month to volunteer at the KL Tzu-Chi Free Clinic. Despite being assigned only one rest day every week, Ho Leh remains upbeat about her vocation and shows nary a sign of fatigue. “On my other days off work, I would visit patients with restricted mobility at their homes to check on them. It’s similar to the home visits conducted by Tzu Chi volunteers; we’re all serving those in need. Volunteering at the Free Clinic is especially meaningful to me, as I was once a beneficiary of Tzu Chi’s assistance. The time has come for me to repay the kindness. Ahelping hand in times of need By Tan Kim Hion & Yap Chai Hoon Photograph by Sam Pin Fook