The world of Tzu Chi January 2021 (Vol.130)

2021 • 01 12 eature Lighting the way for the needy society The six-month moratorium ended in September and loan repayments were to resume. However, the government’s cash aid payout, dubbed the Bantuan Prihatin Nasional 2.0, would only be made in October 2020 and January 2021. Knowing that many people were struggling, Tzu Chi volunteers raced against time to fill in the gap before the government delivers their aid. “W here are those who need help?” After announcing the launch of the “Kita1Keluarga” relief programme through all the local vernacular media, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor anticipated an influx of applications. However, after three days, only 399 applications were received. It left Tan Pei Kee, a key staff in charge of the programme, wondering how to reach out to those in need of help. In view of the wide-ranging impact of the pandemic, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor was cautious in planning for the relief work. Pei Kee said that the relief programme adheres to the charitable spirit akin to “light the way for those who are suffering”. “In the past, those who needed aid may approach Tzu Chi for help. But in such severe pandemic, we must take more initiatives to look out for these families.” Therefore, the team decided to publicize the relief programme in print, electronic and online media right from the beginning, in hope that people would be aware of it. The team was even worried about being swamped by overwhelming response. However, the outcome was the opposite. The DOSM’s 2019 Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey Report showed that 49.7%and 53.9%of household in Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, respectively, earned more than RM10,000. However, according to a July 2020 report in the Oriental Daily, due to high living standards and cost of living in these two cities, households with income below RM8,650 were classified as B40 (low-income household). So, Tzu Chi was baffled to see such low number of applicants, not knowing how the bottom tier income earners would be able to cope with the situation. The power of volunteers Klang-based volunteer Chong Sui San suggested setting up information counters at government low-cost public housing (PPR) so news of the relief programme could directly be channelled to the community as well as to help them with their application. Based on Sui San’s long-term interaction with the Indian community at PPRPadang Jawa, she knew the residents there would be struggling and were not aware of such relief programme. Besides, filling in an application form would be a challenge for them. So, reaching out directly to the community was the only way to divulge the programme to vulnerable groups. Sui San said, “Based on our past experiences, we believed not all residents read the newspaper because they might not afford it. Moreover, due to their educational level, many of them might not even understand. Since the relief programme aimed to help the needy and provide ease of access, setting up a booth in their area was the best way to promote awareness.” Therefore, Klang volunteers took the lead in reaching out to the masses by setting up Translated by Lee Hui Yieng