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

2021 • 01 16 eature By Tan Kim Hion Translated by Ng Yu Xin Photograph by Ho Chan Won Always be with you More than four years ago, a fire destroyed Rizal’s home; more than four years later, a pandemic plunged his family into hardship. When they were at a loss, Tzu Chi volunteers once again lent a helping hand. “T zu Chi, I can recognize your uniform,” said 47-year-old Rizal bin Othman, shyly, as the volunteers greeted him. Due to his poor eyesight, he could not identify whether the visitors were the same persons who visited more than four years ago. However, he could not forget the blue-and- white Tzu Chi uniform. When his wife, Ezrin binti Elias, took out the eco-blanket given by Tzu Chi, he said smilingly, “This has been my only blanket for the past few years,” adding that the blanket is warm, and he only used it on colder days as he wanted to keep it intact. Although the colour of the blanket has