The world of Tzu Chi July 2020 (Vol.124)

20 2020 • 07 eature “M y hands itch, Daddy!” whimpered Samantha Ng Wei Hua, the second daughter of volunteer Ng Cheng Wee. Cheng Wee was frustrated by the scratch marks on his daughter’s hands, but had no remedy for the agonizing rashes. Samantha’s skin condition was temporarily alleviated after her aunt offered to bring her to a skin specialist. Samantha, now 23, has been suffering from sensitive skin since Form 1. Although the impact of the condition on her daily activities was minimal, she was easily irritated by flare- ups. Even after applying cleaning products recommended by her doctor and adhering to medication prescriptions, her condition remained unstable. When her flare-ups were at their worst, she had to visit her doctor as frequently as once every two to three weeks. Her condition persisted until 2015, the year the Jing-Si soap series packaged in wooden boxes was launched. Each bar of soap was packaged in an intricate wooden box, to Cheng Wee’s delight. “Back then, the volunteers introduced me to the soaps that are crafted with care by the Dharma masters at theAbode without any chemical additives or fragrances, protecting the environment while cleansing our bodies and minds,” he recounted. Cheng Wee purchased numerous bars of Jing-Si soap as a gesture of support for the Abode and gratitude for the resident Dharma masters’ meticulous efforts, besides spreading the word on the soaps’ benefits by gifting them to others. The soaps caught his children’s attention too. Then, a thought occurred to him: he contemplated letting Samantha test the soap on her sensitive hands. Natural soap to the rescue Samantha was initially unaccustomed to the soap. “It has no fragrance and doesn’t lather into a foam,” she commented to Cheng Wee. Subsequently, she used the soap with a soap net to produce a thicker foam and gradually learnt to appreciate its subtle, natural floral scent. “The condition of my skin has improved since using Jing-Si soap,” she remarked with a smile. Now, she remains a loyal user of Jing-Si soap. Apart from Jing-Si soaps, Cheng Wee often purchases natural handmade soaps for Samantha on his business trips overseas. “I’ve bought home handmade soaps from Hungary and France. I’d try soaps from abroad regardless of the cost, so that my testimonials are more convincing when I share my thoughts on Jing-Si soaps with others,” he affirmed, adding that he found some branded handmade soaps to be of decent quality at a reasonable price. However, the fragrance of handmade soaps from France was too overpowering for him, so he kept them in his wardrobe as an air freshener of sorts. He ultimately preferred Jing-Si soaps. “I’ve witnessed the Dharma masters working on the soaps at the Abode, steaming the leaves of plants and brewing Tried and tested for peace of mind Volunteer Ng Cheng Wee had witnessed Dharma masters working on producing Jing-Si soaps at the Abode, steaming the leaves of plants and brewing the ingredients. “It’s an arduous process. The soaps are valued for the blessings infused within, bestowed by the Dharma masters at the Abode, which are priceless,” he shared.