The world of Tzu Chi Nov-Dec 2021 (Vol.138)

TZU CHI 138 33 Silah had to stop work to take care of him. She then turned to Tzu Chi volunteers for help, and Tzu Chi has since then, been offering the family subsidies for rent, medical and living expenses. When the volunteers delivered the gift pack, Saravanan shared gladly that he was recovering and could get back to work soon, and that he would not need Tzu Chi’s subsidies once he could be self-reliant again. Silah said, “I am grateful that Tzu Chi has helped us twice. Whenever we are in difficulty, Tzu Chi is definitely there to help us. The volunteers have cared for us long term, watching our kids grow up. They gave the kids a computer for their online classes not long ago.” On that day, they donated the money in their coin banks to reciprocate the kindness they have received. Let the love go on In Cheng, volunteers Ng Ton Leong and Ong Yoke Ching arrived at their first stop— the house of Francis a/l Pichaimuthu. Tzu Chi started providing assistance to Francis’s family in June this year after a school teacher reported their plight. As Francis was out for treatment, volunteers presented the gift pack and a red packet to his wife, and shared with her that the two tins of cookies were made by Kaavitha, who became a Tzu Chi care recipient after her husband’s demise. In 2017, volunteers guided Kaavitha to make cookies for sale and Tzu Chi Malacca bought the cookies from her at market price. Such efforts helped Kaavitha and other care recipients gain a skill, which slowly turned into their source of livelihood. With this story, the volunteers hoped to motivate Francis and his family to get their lives back on track. Francis’s brother, Sami, was thankful to Tzu Chi for the assistance rendered. He informed that they have found a job and would request Tzu Chi to stop providing aid after their life is stable. Francis’ daughter, Keshavartini, a Primary 6 student, said that she would emulate Tzu Chi volunteers and help others in need when she grows up. She even donated twice when the volunteers encouraged them to pay the love forward by donating into a coin bank. The volunteers also visited Saraswathy a/p Raman. Her family was Tzu Chi’s care recipient a few years ago, and now, they are in touch with Tzu Chi again. The pandemic has left them in financial hardship. Her husband, who is a truck driver, has not been working since he hurt his arms, and is waiting to undergo a surgery. While accepting the gift pack, Saraswathy expressed, “Only Tzu Chi is so thoughtful. Thank you so much!” The volunteers also brought them good news that her daughters in Primary 2 and Primary 3 would receive Tzu Chi study grant for the first time. The 11 care recipient families that Ton Leong and Yoke Ching had visited on that day, collectively donated about RM110 to help others who are also in need. May the ripple effect of kindness continue to spread and bring light into the lives of all.