The world of Tzu Chi December 2020(Vol.129)

2020 • 12 38 ocal News Reported by Tzu Chi Documenting Team Translated by Leena O n November 4, 2020, a flash flood hit several areas in Seremban in the wee hours of the morning, affecting more than 500 households. On the same day, Tzu Chi volunteers extended care and delivered vegetarian meals to those affected. For three consecutive days, volunteers visited Taman Mok Sum, Taman Happy, Angsamas, Kampung Singh and other housing areas to assess the situation. On November 7, 41 volunteers went to Taman Happy and Taman Mok Sum for relief distribution. They returned again the following day with paraphernalia to help with cleaning. Banchawarnam a/p Balan, a single mother, is a Tzu Chi’s care recipient. When volunteers arrived at her house, they saw her sitting by the front door in despair. On the night of the flood, Banchawarnam, her mother and her five children were trapped in the water because their door was blocked by water pressure. By the time their neighbours arrived to help, the water level had risen. The family had to climb to a higher place by pulling one another up. Seeing the volunteers arrive with hot food and second-hand clothes, she burst into tears and told them that almost all of her belongings were destroyed, including the Deepavali gift basket she had received from Tzu Chi and the pastries she had made. In order to boost the family’s morale, the volunteers immediately arranged manpower to help clean up the damaged furniture and other items over two consecutive days. When the volunteers presented the cash assistance and eco-blankets from Tzu Chi, Banchawarnam tearfully acknowledged that Tzu Chi subsidizes her monthly living expenses and her children’s school bus fees, and further added, “After the flood, you all (Tzu Chi volunteers) not only helped clean my home, took me to buy my children’s clothes, brought me meals, but now you also send me monetary aid and blankets. I’m deeply moved.” After several days of relief efforts, volunteers had distributed cash aid to 267 households and given out 469 eco-blankets. Besides this, there were also three vegetarian restaurants that donated a total of 1,700 vegetarian meals to the affected families. Hopefully, with help and support from the public, they will be able to rebuild their homes soonest possible. Seremban 2020.11.04–09 Photograph by Siow Yau Chu Sending Love to Flash FloodVictims