The world of Tzu Chi February 2020 (Vol.119)

cognitive capacity was underdeveloped as he had never attended school or left the confines of his home. In January 2018, the volunteers installed Da Ai TV in his home, hoping to broaden his horizons through the wholesome programmes aired on the channel. Since then, Joon Wai has progressed beyond his usual repertoire of questions from the likes of “What time did you wake up this morning?” and “What did you have for breakfast today?” to “Did you attend Master Cheng Yen’s lecture at dawn? What insights did the Master convey?” and “The Master has been reminding us to constantly revisit Tzu Chi’s history.” Ling Sien is pleased to note Joon Wai’s progress, remarking, “Joon Wai is now better at behaving himself. His vocabulary has also expanded along with his knowledge of foreign countries. He is now aware of the occurrence of natural disasters in other parts of the world.” Furthermore, the volunteers observed that Joon Wai’s ability to express himself has improved. Meanwhile, Ling Sien has also benefitted from tuning in to Da Ai TV. She appears more jovial now that she has moved on from her woes after learning about the plight of the less fortunate from Da Ai TV programmes. The Jing Si Aphorisms introduced on the channel have become her source of spiritual support and motivation. Walking a mile in another’s shoes Ling Sien shares a sisterly bond with volunteer Gan Siew Toh and frequently confides in her. As a mother herself, Siew Toh is able to empathize with Ling Sien’s worries and quotes Jing Si Aphorisms and Master Cheng Yen’s teachings when offering words of consolation to the latter. “Ling Sien has gained some weight. She no longer dwells on her misery and smiles more often now,” acknowledged Siew Toh. On the other hand, Joon Wai and volunteer Lau Chong Meng have forged a close friendship despite the wide age gap between them. Chong Meng would share stories of his work and personal life as well as photos and video clips with Joon Wai to expose him to the outside world. The inquisitive Joon Wai is easily fascinated by Chong Meng’s anecdotes and badgers the latter with questions, leading to lively conversations between the two. Whenever Ling Sien is faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, her first instinct would be to turn to the volunteers for assistance. She constantly has her hands full caring for Joon Wai, hence she would request the volunteers’ help to collect the medical supplies she had ordered for Joon Wai, or to fetch her stroke-stricken husband to his medical appointments. She is deeply moved by the volunteers’ willingness to extend a helping hand ever so readily. After several visits to Joon Wai’s home, volunteer Chung Kuang Ping noticed that Joon Wai’s wheelchair was no longer fit for use. He also remembered Ling Sien mentioning the aches and pains she experienced when carrying Joon Wai. With the mother and son’s best interests at heart, he procured a second-hand wheelchair with quality features, an electric lift for transporting wheelchair-bound patients and a waist support belt, among other assistive equipment, and delivered them to Joon Wai’s residence. “The equipment looks fairly new and functional to me, so I handed them over after some minor fixes,” said Kuang Ping. Once, Ling Sien was moved to tears upon hearing the song “We Are Family” performed by volunteers at a year-end distribution event, which she attended with Joon Wai. “You have TZU CHI 119 45