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

2020 • 01 16 eature A s the sun set on the streets of Kuala Lumpur veiled by light showers, the temperature dipped and a gentle chill permeated the air, circulating in gusts of wind that left pedestrians shivering in the cold as light streamed from the windows of the low- cost flat where Tzu Chi Study Grant recipient Alvin Daniel, 17, lives with his parents, grandmother and younger brother. The family of four currently occupy a one-bedroom unit measuring 600 cubic feet that serves multiple purposes as a living hall, dining hall and bedroom. In one corner of the low-ceilinged apartment, an array of kitchen equipment – a rice cooker, a basin, cups and sieves – share the space with two refrigerators. Daniel’s parents operate a mobile food cart selling noodles and traditional Malay delicacies in their neighbourhood. However, competition among mobile stall vendors in the area is intense. The hawkers have to jostle among themselves for space and risk prosecution from the local authorities, leading to a volatile trading environment with no promise of a stable income. As a result, Daniel’s family lives frugally on his parents’ sparse earnings. “ Bang has been taken ill for the past Cherishing every opportunity By Yap Chai Hoon Photograph by Lim Chin Shein