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

2020 • 01 24 turmoil. Upon realizing that his hopes for his father’s eventual return were dashed, he lost the will to forge ahead in life. As he contemplated throwing in the towel, the volunteers’ familiar, kindly faces came to mind and their uplifting words of advice echoed in his ears, urging him to never give up. For Razman, the ordeal was a trying time of unspeakable anguish. This too shall pass After four years of sweat and toil, Razman had finally completed his tertiary education and returned to his beloved hometown in high spirits. “Experiencing trials and tribulations in life hones one’s maturity and wisdom,” he reflected with a subdued smile, imbued with the silent resilience of having emerged stronger and wiser from the once-suffocating depths of despair. The volunteers were reassured by Razman’s capability to sustain his own livelihood as well as his family’s and discontinued financial assistance to him in 2010. During Hari Raya the following year, the volunteers visited Razman at his home and were warmly welcomed with homemade delicacies courtesy of his mother. The passage of time has shaped Razman into a refined young adult, carrying himself with a confident air that contrasted starkly with the anxious, reserved adolescent the volunteers used to know. The years of hardship are now behind him as he reminisced fondly on his youth with an easy candour. As Razman and the volunteers revelled in their shared camaraderie, volunteer Tay Guat Hong retrieved a photograph from a paper bag to Razman’s surprise – it was a family portrait from many years ago. Razman’s younger brother perished in a fire that engulfed their home shortly after the family portrait was taken, hence Guat Hong decided to withhold the photograph from the family in case it triggered a floodgate of memories and touched a raw nerve. The family portrait had finally been returned to its rightful owners. It was a poignant moment as Razman fixed his gaze on the photograph for a long time, immersed in thoughtful silence. Before parting ways, Guat Hong wept tears of joy as she embraced Razman. “I’m moved beyond words to see Razman succeed in life,” she said, pleased to know that the volunteers’ tireless efforts in nurturing Razman have proven worthwhile. As a teacher, Razman is able to empathize with his students’ hardship after having weathered turbulent times himself. His story is a fitting testament that students from impoverished households are not destined to fail, but are equally deserving of a promising future with hard work, courage and determination. “Hardship is not to be feared. Cultivate a positive mindset, count your blessings and strive towards your goals,” he surmised. eature