The world of Tzu Chi March-April 2022 (Vol.140)

2022 • 04 08 pecial Feature By Koh Poo Leng Translated by Goh Hwe Yong ‘It is alright for me to go hungry, but never so for my family’ “I would rather go hungry in order to feed my eight children. Even though I am financially tight, I will make sure they receive proper education…” Sivakumar, beneficiary “L ook, here are three bags of rice—the cheapest one I could get. I do not have to worry about my kids going hungry anymore!” Sivakumar a/l Raman told the volunteers that the rice meant relief for him. When Tzu Chi volunteers arrived at Sivakumar’s house in March this year, they were delighted to see the children in their beautiful clothes, waiting outside the house to welcome them. Sivakumar told the volunteers that when he received RM950 as relief aid for February, he was surprised at the increase and immediately called Tzu Chi volunteer Lee Eng Foo to confirm. He received a pleasant reply—the February amount included the schooling expenses for three of his children, in light of the school reopening in the country.