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

2022 • 04 44 By Tan Kim Hion Translated by Lee Hung Jiew ouching Life Story ALife Enveloped in Loving-kindness “I have a coin bank in my closet that I want to donate to Tzu Chi. The volunteers have not come for two years. Before my partner’s demise, he told me to donate RM10 monthly. I now owe Tzu Chi RM240 over the past two years. Please remember to hand over the RM240 to Tzu Chi after I depart this life…” – Heng Bak Nam E ighty-five-year-old Grandma Heng Bak Nam was admitted to the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium (also known as the Valley of Hope) at the age of 15. She got married, had children, and spent most of her life there. Recently, she was transferred to the critical care ward owing to deteriorating health— she was diagnosed with an enlarged heart, which could affect her brain and take her life anytime. Despite her life being as fragile as candlelight in the wind, she was not afraid. Being of staunch Christian faith, she described that moment as “returning home”. Nevertheless, something lingered in her mind. She entrusted Tan Ean Nee, a council member of the Sungai Buloh Settlement Council with this request: “I have a coin bank in my closet that I want to donate to Tzu Chi. Grandma Heng responded to Tzu Chi’s Bamboo Bank Era for more than a decade. The picture shows her adopting a bamboo coin bank back in 2007. [Photo by Lin Yong Yi]