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

2020 • 07 38 A Tawau-based volunteer takes an introspective look at his experience of serving in rural Sabahan villages and reflects on the consequences of endless desire and the cost of materialistic pursuits on disadvantaged communities. Lessons from civilization Written by Tan Boon Tiong Photograph by Ching Shu Khiun A s a Tzu Chi volunteer based in Tawau, Sabah, I felt deeply blessed for the opportunity to serve those in need during the MCO. Looking back on the past two months, the relief distribution mission was the third time we travelled fromTawau to Lahad Datu to contribute to a worthy cause with our fellow volunteers. In fact, thismissionwas barely twoweeks away from our two previous missions. For this mission, we were tasked with assessing the living conditions and distributing relief supplies to the inhabitants of rural landfill village Kampung Bangkuruan – a place anyone rarely sets foot in. On June 6, 2020, we arrived at the landfill to see heaps of garbage strewn over an endless expanse of barren land, extending across the uneven terrain beyond the other end of the horizon. On the ground, a mound of refuse was engulfed in flames, releasing billowing smoke into the atmosphere in a scene reminiscent of a burning volcano spewing ash and fumes. Visibility was limited in the hazy air, but upon closer scrutiny, we noticed a crowd converging on the landfill, frantically picking scraps. The villagers, young and old alike, collect scraps daily for a living. Yet, none of them complained about their plight despite struggling to survive on a constant lack of food and income. The villagers were delighted and touched to see Tzu Chi volunteers extending love and care to them in our neat uniforms. On the day of the distribution session, the villagers were highly cooperative, behaving in an orderly manner and listening attentively as the emcee introduced Tzu Chi and promoted vegetarianism, while waiting to receive their food supplies. The children were not only provided with bread, but also roundworm medication prescribed by the doctor. The villagers were grateful for the provisions and wished the volunteers peace, health and longevity. Most of the scrap collectors are undocumented non-citizens who lack access to education and the outside world. Their Malay is limited, but their modest words and sincere gratitude touched our hearts. They take life in their stride, regardless of the challenges in their path. To them, contentment is the key to happiness. As I reflected on myself, I realized that my senses had almost been numbed by the hustle and bustle of urban life, environmental pollution and technological advances brought onby civilization. I was suddenly struck by the thought that I was standing on a landfill brimming with waste resulting from civilization. Nevertheless, the villagers seemed content with their lives, despite living on murky refuse residue and crushed glass. The bottomless pit of desire When we were conducting home visits to the villagers, we encountered an undocumented mother who recounted with relief that she was able to make a living collecting scraps for the past decade by relying on her own efforts instead of begging on the streets. She fed her family with kitchen scraps and treasured the pecial Feature