The world of Tzu Chi October 2020 (Vol.127)

TZU CHI 127 21 But now, she could speak in front of an audience and lead group activities. Her smile is very contagious now!” commented Dennis, adding that Telma is one of the most hardworking and serious persons amongst the local volunteers. Nonetheless, like many Mozambican women, the earlier part of her life was difficult and rough. Fled for a new life At age 37, Telma was already a grandmother! She shared the same fate as many Mozambican girls, by becoming a single mother in her teens. Such situations were common in Mozambique, especially in rural areas. Telma met her husband at 22, with whom she thought could bring her happiness. At first, she was well-loved by her in-laws. However, after a series of unfortunate events, her family felt she was an ill-fated person and started to criticize and insult her, treating her like a maid. They even hired a witch doctor to cast spells on Telma and her children, in order to break the curse that brought bad luck to the family. Mozambicans tend to seek help from a witch doctor for their problems. Thus, a plethora of unimaginable superstitious myths circulate amongst people. For example, using urine to treat skin infections; believing that the blood of virgins is impure and would purify it by uniting with men. Worse still, some witch doctors use human organs in exchange for wealth and good luck. A local volunteer’s child was once abducted by a human trafficking syndicate that trades in children’s organs. Thankfully, the child escaped. However, in a less fortunate case, an orphan’s reproductive organ was dismembered by his uncle as an offering to a witch doctor in exchange for wealth. The child was greatly traumatized. Similar cases happened everywhere inMozambique and each case ismore horrendous than the previous. Unwilling to live in constant fear of being killed, Telma left her in-laws with her children. Shunned by her own family, she was forced to make ends meet by taking up cleaning jobs in the morning and selling candies at night. She rented a room and raised her two children singlehandedly. Her life took a turn when she was most helpless. Tzu Chi built a thatched house for her and her children. “I’m very grateful for Tzu Chi’s help, I don’t need to rent anymore. Those days were really hard. I dared not step out of the house came month end, and I was most afraid when the landlord knocked on the door to collect rental,” Telma recounted, revealing how scared she was during that difficult period. Telma was very insecure and afraid that she would bring bad luck when she first joined Tzu Chi. So, she kept to herself. The volunteers kept encouraging and accompanying her, but yet she would not trust others owing to her past experiences. When she heard Master Cheng Yen said “all things are created by the mind” through a video, she finally realized that to free the shackles from her past, she had to start from the heart. So, she gradually learnt to shift her perspectives, and started to care for others and smile. The Telma now has the sweetest smile among the volunteers and plays an important role in Tzu Chi in Mozambique. Telma is no longer anxious and afraid, instead she bravely contributes to others. Through her diligence and wages earned from Cyclone Idai’s cash-for-work programme, she managed to trade her savings into blocks of bricks. It is hopeful that she will be able to provide a shelter for her family in the near future. Transforming Africa With Love