The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

2022 • 08 24 pecial Feature Volunteer Lim Choy Kim had to race against time to deliver the bento boxes to teachers at schools before their lunch break. The help from community volunteers greatly reduced his burden. [Photo courtesy of Lim Choy Kim] fifteenth day of eachLunarmonth since 2020.As more chefs were needed for the BOL to prepare over a hundred bentos daily for ten consecutive days, volunteer Yap Tien See offered to help out. Without much culinary skills, he looked for vegetarian recipes at the recycling centre to improve his cooking. For the first round in March, he was merely a kitchen assistant. However, by the second round in May, he was not only able to assist other chefs, but could also prepare delicious dishes by himself when required. He gladly exclaimed, “I can cook a few good dishes now!” In Puchong, volunteers began cooking and promoting vegetarianism in the community since last year. Hee Sue Ann, a 26-year-old lawyer, has been their faithful supporter for more than a year, from the vegetarian lunch boxes to BOL. She remarked, “Food served at restaurants are normally oily, with much salt and sugar added. But I had to compromise without a better option. I am grateful for this BOL. The food served are not only tasty, but also nutritious and healthy.” Sue Ann also loved reading the Jing Si aphorism attached to the bento boxes. “They helped me to reflect on how to enrich my life and become a better self,” she said. Each bento meal carried great significance as it represented a blessing and nourishes the body and mind all at the same time.