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

2022 • 04 12 pecial Feature By Koh Poo Leng Translated by Lee Hung Jiew Come what may, I will protect my home “Mum, are you done cooking? I am hungry!” The fragrance of curry wafted from the kitchen, and Kuhan could not wait as he was hungry! His mother was making his favourite dish— tosai . It is the happiest thing for him to enjoy home-cooked dinner. K uhan a/l Manimaran, 12, is the youngest son of K1K 2.0 beneficiary, Krishnakumary a/p Krishna. An extrovert, Kuhan never felt uneasy even when the volunteers visited. He told the volunteers, “My favourite days are weekends, or to put it better... during my mother’s off days! That is because we can sit together for dinner.” In the small kitchen space scented with the fragrance of spices, one thing was evident—the strong family affection. No one would have thought that the child had lost his father in June last year. However, the family chose to rise above their circumstances by staying strong and united. Death does not deter In June last year, Krishnakumary’s husband, Manimaran, died in his sleep. He succumbed to myocardial infarction, leaving behind two children with their mother. Things changed almost instantly and Krishnakumary’s