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

We love, we care Translated by Yew Siew Yong Looking out for each other and good-neighbourliness are traditional Chinese virtues. Only when everyone helps and supports one another, and every family lives a stable life, will society be more stable and peaceful. Blessed are those who can help and benefit others. A fter the “Kita1Keluarga” relief programme was launched in July 2020, volunteers organized amongst the communities a total of 95 sessions of bamboo bank collection and 56 sessions of charity sale. In view of the pandemic, volunteers adhered strictly to the pandemic SOPs, allowing all to contribute in a safe environment. Are Malaysians’ hearts as warm as the equatorial climate? According to the October 2019 British Charity Aid Foundation’s (CAF) World Giving Index, the most generous country in the world in over a decade is the USA, while Malaysia ranked 30. However, Malaysia is the fourth most improved country overall (over the last decade), after Indonesia, Kenya and Singapore. Malaysians’ generosity is evident in the various disaster relief missions worldwide. According to Nanyang Siang Pau , in 2011, the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association donated RM23,100 to Chaipattana Foundation of Thailand for reconstruction work in the aftermath of the massive flood that affected two million people in Thailand. In 2014, a gas explosion tragedy in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, saw some Malaysian associations and Taiwanese businessmen in Malaysia initiating a donation drive, raising more than RM250,000 (about NT$2.4 million) within a week. Now, with all Malaysians deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to help our own people. As such, the Malaysian government sent out a message of unity with the slogan “Kita jaga kita” (we look out for one another), and also set up the Tabung Covid-19 on March 10, 2020 to pool funds to meet the domestic anti-pandemic needs and assist poor families. According to an October 2020 press release from the Ministry of Finance, the Tabung Covid-19 had RM44.7 million in contributions from individuals, businesses and various organizations and associations. Evidently, Malaysians are willing to let go of their differences and band together in times of crisis. Contributions from enterprises were significant for Tzu Chi’s relief programme, as they accounted for a huge portion of total fund received. However, the execution required manpower. This is where the collective effort of the public in volunteering their time plays a significant role. Acting upon the slogan, “We love, we care”, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor begun extending aid to refugees and foreign workers since the pandemic broke. In addition to eature 2021 • 01 26