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

2022 • 04 22 pecial Feature Let’s be each other’s beacon of hope Source: Yaw Ah Moi Photo by Ong See Lim O n February 18, Chin Kwee Hoong, accompanied by Tzu Chi volunteers, went to KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall to donate the relief cash he had received from Tzu Chi as a flood victim. The 63-year-old man could not contain his joy as he handed the cash to the staff at the finance department. “I believe Tzu Chi, being such a big charitable organization, will always need funds to help more people. So, I donate this money to help more people in need. I am very happy and earnest in donating back the money given to me.” Swift response to a request for help On January 1 this year, when Tzu Chi volunteers were compiling victim rosters at Taman Sri Nanding, they were informed that an elderly couple needed help in assembling their bed. Upon visiting, they found that the couple—Kwee Hoong and his wife—were living with their 39-year-old son. The family returned from the evacuation centre after the flood only to find their home covered in five-inch layer of mud. The floodwaters that rose to eight feet also tainted the walls and windows. Although they started cleaning up immediately, together with their two daughters who had returned with their husbands during the Christmas holiday, the work was far from done. When their children had to return to work, the rest of the cleaning fell on the shoulders of the elderly parents. While the cleaning was in progress, the couple slept on thin mattresses spread on the floor. After days of hard work, Kwee Hoong started aching all over and soon fell sick. Although a friend who works at a furniture factory had sent a mattress and a bed frame to them, the elderly couple was unable to assemble the bed frame themselves, and their son was unable to help as he had to travel outstation for work. Kwee Hoong later thought about posting a request for help at the community social group. That was how the request reached the volunteers, who then got acquainted with Kwee Hoong. Without much delay, the volunteers brought along the necessary tools to assemble the bed frame. When the wife saw that the bed was ready, she immediately took out a bedsheet. The volunteers gladly helped her to lay the bedsheet and shortly after, a new and comfortable bed had sprung up. Kindness is contagious “I am sick and I have been sleeping on the floor for several days. I am lethargic and could not handle it. I do not know how to thank all of you for your help. Nobody has helped me in this way before.” Looking at his new bed, Kwee Hoong was choked with emotions when he expressed “I am sick and have been sleeping on the floor for several days. I am lethargic and I could not handle it. I do not know how to thank all of you for your help. Nobody has helped me in this way before.” – Chin Kwee Hoong, flood victim