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

2022 • 02 40 Kampung Bandar Hilir recycling centre. His transformation was evident to Giok Kiat, who witnessed him turning from a sorrowful man to onewhowould take initiative and is willing to mingle around. Additionally, Ah Peng also started to collect recyclables in his neighbourhood on his motorbike. He said, “I used to collect recyclables to supplement my income. After getting to know Tzu Chi and witnessing how the volunteers helped the needy, I decided to give the recyclables to Tzu Chi.” Selfless contribution creates miracle In fact, Ah Peng has not regained his health. He still cannot use chopsticks, experiences giddiness occasionally, lacks the strength to stand properly, and is unable to bend his knees. As a result, he has been sleeping in the living room instead of his bedroom upstairs, and has reduced going out to minimize risk. Despite all these, he has persisted in collecting recyclables daily. He related, “I ride motorbike to the nearby park for exercises daily, and I will pick up recyclables that I see. I just need to be mindful of my movements. The volunteers are my role models. What I can do is trivial, and I really envy them for being able to help others!” Doctors once pronounced that without surgery, Ah Peng would have to rely on crutches to move around in three to four months’ time, and would be paralysed and confined to bed one or half a year later. Fortunately, his conditions improved as he engaged in recycling activity, which allows him to exercise regularly and cheers him up. He said joyfully, “My body has recovered about 30 per cent. I need to work harder, but I am already very grateful for this result!” Mutual care makes life beautiful When volunteers learnt that a charitable organizationwas offering free vegetarianmeals for the underprivileged three days a week, they forwarded the information to Ah Peng, hoping to help him save some daily expenses, and also, to introduce vegetarianism to him. With that, Ah Peng began taking vegetarian meals for three days weekly since March 2021. Around the same time, a nonagenarian recycling volunteer, Day Kim Wee, had just moved back home from the nursing home. As he was living alone and had not fully regained his mobility, volunteer Tang Yun Ci assisted in delivering meals and providing care for him. Then, when Yun Ci had to travel to Kuala Lumpur from Malacca for errands, Ah Peng, who volunteered together with Kim Wee at the recycling centre every Monday, willingly took over the task by claiming an extra meal box each time and delivering it to Kim Wee. For that, the latter was grateful. He said, “He is such a great help!” Both of them had lived in the same community for over a decade, but only got acquainted because of Tzu Chi. Ah Peng admitted that back when he was healthy, he was guided by self-interest motives, always busy with work and did not bother much about the people and things around him. The ordeal of sickness opened his eyes to the beauty of mankind. He shared, “It was the volunteers who changed me and opened my heart to see the world in a different perspective! They are even closer to me than my own family. I will never forget their kindness and I certainly want ouching Life Story