![The 'Da Tou Fut' greeted each attendee with a handshake, offering his blessings. [Photo by Chan Tuck Meng]](/images/Articles/CS/2024/KL20240113_cdm01_073.jpg "The 'Da Tou Fut' greeted each attendee with a handshake, offering his blessings. [Photo by Chan Tuck Meng]")
With Chinese New Year around the corner, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor organised a Near Year distribution cum Year-End Blessing event for its Chinese care recipients, showering them with the warmth of humanity.
The New Year distribution cum Year-End Blessing session for the Chinese care recipients on the 13th welcomed a total of 450 people from 216 households. The annual reunion brought everyone together, with greetings, conversations, and laughter echoing through every corner of the Jing Si Hall. Volunteers thoughtfully added special activities for the care recipients, including a lion dance performance, a family-portrait photoshoot, a pre-loved corner for them to select clothing and other items, and a sumptuous reunion meal.
Onstage for the first time, 78-year-old Yap Ka Sam shared his long-awaited spring. He shyly expressed joy at seeing so many people, adding that his legs were actually trembling. As his words fell, applause erupted from the audience.
Grandpa Yap, who lives alone, worked as a construction contractor in his younger days. As the years advanced and heavy labour on construction sites became too taxing, he transitioned to driving a taxi. However, in 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic plunged him into hardship. Fortunately, during his most difficult time, a friend provided him with contact information for Tzu Chi KL & Selangor.
With assistance and love from Tzu Chi volunteers, his living conditions improved, and he began dedicating his free time for recycling. He candidly admitted, “If it weren’t for Tzu Chi, I would be idling my time away, having no fixed place to stay, and living in anxiety. Now, through my recycling work, my life has found its anchor.” He urged everyone to join him in conserving the Earth while they still have good health.
◎ Reciprocating through actions
Another care recipient family, the Lim sisters, also took to the stage to share their encounter with Tzu Chi.
In November 2022, their 70-year-old brother suffered from compressed spinal nerves, rendering him immobile. To compound matters, his lower leg was injured by a wheelchair, resulting in a non-healing wound that became infected and ulcerated. The stress of taking care of their brother, coupled with the duty to care for their 90-year-old bedridden mother, left the youngest sister, who had heart disease, feeling depressed.
Empathising with her emotional burden, the elder sisters decided to send their brother to a care centre. However, they faced financial burdens. Upon the suggestion by the care centre staff, they approached Tzu Chi for help. After a home visit, volunteers assisted them in applying for government subsidies and supported them with the remaining financial burden, relieving their mental stress.
Additionally, their brother needed to visit Kuala Lumpur Hospital regularly for check-ups. In their helpless moments, Tzu Chi volunteers selflessly drove their brother to the hospital despite the distance, time, and fuel costs. Their unconditional love moved the sisters.
To reciprocate the kindness, they began participating in Tzu Chi activities, and in the process, the youngest sister became more cheerful. To them, Tzu Chi is like a beacon that illuminates their lives.
◎ Much cherished companionship
Among the attendees was Tan Geok Kee, who donned a vibrant fuchsia blouse and moved around in a wheelchair. She shared, “I was so excited that I was sleepless last night. Knowing that the volunteers would pick me up in the morning, I went through my closet and picked my favourite outfit that stood out, hoping to leave a lasting impression on everyone.”
The care and attention from the volunteers filled her heart with immense joy. She candidly expressed, “I usually sit alone at home, with no one to talk to.” Her younger brother who lived with her passed away in November last year, and her husband was hospitalised in December due to kidney issues, leaving her in loneliness. “Those who have never encountered life and death would not know what true pain feels like!” She choked and burst into tears, and the volunteers beside her gently patted her shoulder, offering comfort, and she nodded and thanked them repeatedly.
As she dined around the round table with everyone, enjoying the food and listening to the cheerful New Year songs, she could not help but think, “I have not heard a New Year song in many years! I am so grateful to be sharing a meal with so many people!” She looked forward to her husband’s swift recovery and return.
◎ Living the desired life
Leaning on her walking aid, 72-year-old Madam Ong joined the event accompanied by her grandson. She exclaimed, “Today marks my first time dining around a big round table with people from different families. It feels like family members have converged from various places to share a reunion meal. The God of Fortune also turned up, handing out red packets and mandarin oranges. It is so merry and joyous!”
Madam Ong and her grandson have been each other’s support after the successive losses of her husband, daughter-in-law, and eldest son due to illness. To sustain their livelihood and ensure her grandson’s education, she tirelessly juggled two jobs, caring for a nonagenarian by day and working at a restaurant by night.
Moved by her plight, volunteers facilitated educational assistance for her grandson through Tzu Chi, and accompanied her to apply for social welfare benefits. However, fate dealt another blow last October when she suffered a fractured pelvis from a fall and urgently required an RM8,000 surgery. In her hour of need, Tzu Chi extended its helping hand once more.
At the event, Madam Ong was deeply inspired listening to other care recipients’ sharing. Reflecting on life’s ups and downs, she realised that everyone carries their own burdens. She confessed, “When I fell, I lamented about my mishap. But now, I feel grateful. Worrying will not alter what is destined to happen. Instead of dwelling on concerns, I will focus on living the life I want.” With a mindset shift, she no longer feels miserable. Instead, she is grateful to have the company of the volunteers and a sensible grandson.
She said, “As I light the lamp to pray, I sought a quick recovery because I want to be a volunteer and help those in need alongside Tzu Chi volunteers. I tell myself to ‘keep a kind heart, look forward, and leave the past behind’.” In her twilight years, Madam Ong aspires to do what she desires, that is, to continue collecting donations, engage in recycling activities, attend volunteer training, and more. With a smile, she declared, “There is still so much to do!”
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Before bidding farewell, each household received a Chinese New Year gift box filled with sincere blessings from the Tzu Chi family. This gesture of kindness and generosity brought smiles to their faces and warmth to their hearts, reminding them that they are not alone and that they are cared for by a loving community. As they bid farewell, the memories of this special gathering will linger, leaving behind a sense of joy, gratitude, and hope for the days ahead.
