The world of Tzu Chi Jan-Feb 2022 (Vol.139)

TZU CHI 139 17 Tzu Chi Flood Relief Action Kok Chee Keong, 64, and his wife live in a 3-storey corner house. When the floodwater receded, the ground floor, which was originally used to store goods from his wife’s previous business, had become a rubbish dump, emitting a nauseating stench. The front of the house was not spared either. Kok cleaned up the house for two days, but the task was too massive for him. Fortunately, about 30 volunteers and five army personnel came to help him out. Volunteer Lim Kian Meng remarked, “The main door was opened but the entry was blocked by garbage.” To facilitate access, the volunteers suggested the use of the side and back doors. However, the keys could not be located and the army personnel had to break down the doors. The team took about four hours to clean up the house. Kok expressed, “I am very grateful and happy. Otherwise, I would have taken a month to clean up the house.” Kok hopes to join Tzu Chi as a volunteer in the near future. However, he felt sad that everything was gone. “I planned to retire but now it looks like I need to start all over again and will have to work till my last breath…” Stay strong and press on, is perhaps the most sensible answer at such a sobering time. Lim Beng Hui was in a daze when the volunteers arrived at his house to help clean up the house. On the evening of December 18, when the water levels were rising, he and his wife rushed to pick up his parents-in-law from their house. When they returned, the water level had risen much higher and eventually submerged the ground floor. The family was trapped on the upper level and had to survive on biscuits. Additionally, the power supply was cut off, leaving them in darkness. After three days, the army showed up to lead them to safety. Recalling those horrendous days, he was choked with emotions. “I was outside the fence for a long time, waiting for people to come and save us.” All his furniture, electrical appliances and kitchen wares were damaged. He said tearfully, “I have saved so hard to buy a house. In less than three months, everything was gone. My heart really aches!” One could feel a shroud of despondency looming over him, and the volunteers could only give him a comforting pat on his shoulders. It was an act of nature and beyond the control of human beings. However, despite the natural disruption, there was always the healing intervention of the human heart. Lim was thankful that the volunteers came at such a time to help. Clasping his hands together, he expressed his gratitude as tears streamed down his cheeks. Starting all over again My world has tumbled …