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

2020 • 03 36 ocal News Translated by Translating Team O n February 13, 2020, Tzu Chi Malacca received an invitation from Bukit Beruang- based religious organization Sri Sathya Sai Baba to attend an interfaith prayer ceremony alongside representatives from various faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Catholicism, Baháʼí and Sai Baba. The representatives led the congregation in offering prayers according to the prayer rituals of their respective faiths, with the hope of mitigating the coronavirus outbreak and alleviating the suffering of those infected by the virus. Tzu Chi Malacca was represented by nine volunteers, including Yong Meng Foo, who shared Master Cheng Yen’s message of disease prevention with the attendees, encouraging all to adopt adequate measures to defend against the spread of the virus, as well as highlighting the importance of practising vegetarianism and seeking consolation in sincere prayers and positive thoughts. The volunteers performed the song Prayer , which resonated with the attendees across different races and religions and transcended language barriers as everyone chanted along in unison, praying for relief from the epidemic. In addition, the Tzu Chi Malacca Free Clinic resumed its services on February 2, 2020 after the Chinese New Year break. As a precautionary measure, clinic personnel checked the temperature of all staff and visitors to the clinic to safeguard the health of medical personnel and volunteers on frontline duty. Hand sanitizer and face masks were also provided for comprehensive protection. On the same day, Tzu Chi Malacca volunteers conducted visits to the homes of care recipients. In view of the current situation, staff members have compiled information on epidemic prevention in advance, for the volunteers to relay to the care recipients, besides advising the volunteers to avoid mingling in large groups and to conduct conversations outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces when visiting the care recipients in small groups. Commenting on the shortage of face masks in the market, volunteer Tai Kim Long stressed the need to disseminate verified information on the epidemic instead of rumours and exaggerated claims to ensure that the limited resources are appropriately distributed. Malacca 2020.02.13 Seeking Respite from the Epidemic through Faith Reported by Low Siew Lian & Julie Yen Yu Chu Photograph by Liew Chee Yung