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

offering services in personal grooming and leading the residents in carrying out recycling efforts. Some of the residents have forged close relationships with the volunteers, confiding in them like family. A few among them have even progressed to becoming regular donors who also contribute their savings to large- scale fundraising drives dedicated to disaster relief. A handful of residents who are still fit to move about are engaged in recycling work, converting waste into reusable resources. In the aftermath of the major earthquake that struck Taiwan in 1999, local Tzu Chi volunteers initiated a fundraising drive to collect donations from the public. Resident Heng Pak Nang and her husband heard of the initiative on the radio and spread the news to their fellow residents. When the volunteers arrived at the settlement, the residents had already formed an orderly queue, with spare change at the ready. “This was the first time we’ve encountered donors forming such a long queue, eager to contribute to our fundraising drive. These former leprosy patients have left their blighted past behind and are now giving back to society,” recalled volunteer Wang Yueh Jiuan of the memorable occasion that is now imprinted on the volunteers’ minds. During the three major festivals in Chinese tradition, namely the Dumpling Festival, Mid-autumn Festival and Chinese New Year, the volunteers make a point of visiting the residents, or invite them to distribution events held in conjunction with the festivities. The volunteers would also involve children, youths and tertiary students in the visits, either by keeping the residents company or entertaining them with performances, as a means of inculcating a charitable spirit through voluntary work. Volunteer Goh Ka Ting has been participating in the visits since 2010 and shares a close bond with the residents. Her 12-year-old daughter used to join her for the visits. “I hope to bring some festive joy to the elderly residents by allowing them to experience the warmth of being surrounded by ‘grandchildren’ through the companionship of our young ones. These visits also impart the importance of filial piety and charity to my daughter, reminding us to treasure the time we have left with our elders,” Ka Ting shared. The passage of time is unrelenting, yet the volunteers continue to touch lives and warm hearts at the settlement with their unwavering love, care and support for the residents. TZU CHI 119 07 Love Lives On in the Valley of Hope