The world of Tzu Chi March 2020(Vol.120)

TZU CHI 120 23 volunteers’ on-site shift duties and advised the volunteers to conduct interpreting services over the phone on an on-call basis instead. On the evening of February 5, Mun Keat received a request from NADMA to provide supplies of toiletries, instant coffee, instant noodles, compact electric kettles, milk powder, diapers, biscuits, universal travel adapter units, sanitizing liquid and other daily essentials for those under quarantine. Without further ado, Mun Keat contacted volunteer Teng Toh Meng to seek his assistance in procuring some of the supplies. “I received instructions to stock almost 100 compact-sized bottles of sanitizing liquid at about 6:30 p.m. After enquiring at more than ten pharmacies and sundry shops, I only managed to purchase 47 bottles. Some retail outlets even had none left,” Toh Meng recounted. Due to the current acute shortage of disinfectant products in the market, the volunteers were only able to secure 70 bottles of sanitizing liquid through various means. When Toh Meng placed an order for 100 universal adapter units at a store with only 97 remaining units, the shopkeeper was curious. “Upon hearing that I intended to purchase supplies for those under quarantine, most of the shopkeepers were willing to offer discounts. This shows that Malaysians are actually kind at heart,” he shared. Dispelling anxiety Early the next morning, the volunteers delivered the supplies to the monitoring centre in a timely manner; their efficiency left a lasting impression on NADMA. When Tzu Chi later received a request to replenish provisions of sanitizing liquid for MOH personnel, Mun Keat turned to fellow volunteer Chin Kim Lin [Photograph by Lee Mun Keat]