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

2022 • 04 42 ‘I can finally walk like a normal person’ At Pei Shi’s first physiotherapy session at UMMC on January 26, 2021, the discrepancy in her legs had reduced to two inches. It brought much joy to Nyuk Man seeing the girl walking with both her feet firmly on the floor. The doctor informed that another corrective surgery will be needed when Pei Shi reaches the age of 18. With help from Nyuk Man, Pei Shi had her custom-made shoes done. The girl exclaimed, “I can finally walk like a normal person!” On April 10, seven volunteers, including the persons-in-charge of Tzu Chi Seremban, visited Pei Shi with home-cooked vegetarian dishes to celebrate her birthday. Volunteer Wong Chiew Yoke gave her a pair of cotton socks, while Nyuk Man represented the volunteers in presenting her with a red packet filled with their warmest blessings. Pei Shi was moved by their outpour of kindness and love. She said, “Never in my life have I had so many people celebrating my birthday for me. I am truly surprised and happy! There are so many delicious dishes besides the cake. Thank you!” My Tai, too, could not be more thankful. “Tzu Chi volunteers are so loving and kind to help my family, taking my daughter for hospital visits. You all are like my family members. I am touched.” Reciprocating through recycling During the Covid-19 MCO, My Tai had to halt her food stall business. After obtaining the inter-state travelling pass, volunteers delivered rice, cooking oil, vermicelli, biscuits, flour, potatoes, canned food, laundry detergent, and other supplies to her family, thereby relieving their hardship. Besides this, volunteers also sent her for her Covid-19 vaccination. As her single-storey wooden house was infested by termites and the ceilings had become shaky, Tzu Chi volunteers, together with Siow, applied for renovation subsidy from the local state assemblyman. Having been in contact with Tzu Chi for close to a decade, My Tai and her children have gained a deeper understanding of Tzu Chi’s vision and mission in helping others and protecting the Earth. Hence, they also collect recyclables at home and sort them out before sending them to the recycling ouching Life Story Volunteers took Kiew Pei Shi to a shop in Seremban to get a customized pair of shoes. [Photo by Siew Nyuk Man]