The world of Tzu Chi August 2020 (Vol.125)

TZU CHI 125 37 Distributing Face Shields for Peace of Mind Local News To alleviate the burden of communities whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Tzu Chi launched the Kita1Keluarga relief programme in keeping with the organization’s commitment to caring for society. Since July 12, 2020, the organization has been receiving applications for assistance from individuals of various races. Considering some segments of society lack access to the internet or are unequipped with the skills to perform online applications, Tzu Chi Klang volunteers provided online application services at its community centre on July 19. Volunteers temporarily converted the space of the community tuition centre in the vicinity of the Padang Jawa PPR flats in Klang into an enquiry centre, offering assistance to low- income households from the flats in completing their online applications in the hope of expanding the reach of the programme to those in need. KL & Selangor 2020.07.19 Compiled by Gan Chian Nee Photograph by Low Hai Loon As primary and secondary schools across the nation reopened on June 24, 2020 with stringent precautionary measures in place, teachers and students are required to adhere to social distancing rules and wear face shields and face masks in class. In mid-June, Tzu Chi distributed over 20,000 face shields to staff in more than 220 primary and secondary schools of various streams across KL and Selangor, offering an additional layer of protection to educators. According to the principal of SMK Sultan Abdul Samad, Puan Hajah Siti Rahimah Tormodi, the school authorities had spent a substantial amount on disinfection efforts and has now resorted to urging teachers to wear their own face shields to reduce costs. She also commended Tzu Chi’s thoughtful gesture of distributing face shields to not only teachers, but the entire staff as well. KL & Selangor 2020.06–07 Reported and photograph by Koh Poo Leng Application Assistance for Relief Programme