![Volunteer Yeap Hoi Ting (left) accompanied Gusdiani (2nd from left) and her two daughters to attend the Hari Raya distribution event. [Photo by Lee Siew Kuan]](/images/Articles/CS/2025/KL20250413a_lxj02_022.jpg "Volunteer Yeap Hoi Ting (left) accompanied Gusdiani (2nd from left) and her two daughters to attend the Hari Raya distribution event. [Photo by Lee Siew Kuan]")
Gusdiani from Indonesia softly sang the song "One Family" and formed a large “home” with hand gestures, her face beaming with joy.
“This year’s Hari Raya is truly special. Thank you for arranging it. We got to celebrate twice, and I’m so happy, really happy!” said Gusdiani to Tzu Chi volunteers, breaking into a tune she had just learned: “Because we are one family, we are together, so grateful you are with me…”
As she entered the Jing Si Hall lobby with her two daughters, Tzu Chi care recipient Gusdiani poured her bamboo bank savings into the large donation urn. They then followed volunteer Yeap Hoi Ting to the free medical consultation area. After listening to the doctor’s advice, Gusdiani began to seriously consider adjusting her diet to help ease her knee pain.
During the event, she listened as other care recipients shared their journeys. Their stories of hardship gave her a new perspective—she realised that despite her challenges, others had it even harder.
Later, she joined the vegetarian buffet lunch and helped herself to several servings, uplifted by the warmth of the gathering. “My husband will love this food,” she smiled when Hoi Ting handed her takeaway bags. “It’s a pity he couldn’t come, but he was so happy that day when you visited our home to celebrate with us.”
◎ Two celebrations, one spirit
The “day” she referred to was April 1, the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Four volunteers visited her home with traditional Malay kuih. Her husband, Surianto, who has been bedridden for several years, lit up with joy. Sitting on the floor, everyone chatted and shared food. Even Surianto joined in the conversation from his bed and sang a Hari Raya song. As he sang, volunteers clapped along, filling the home with festive cheers.
“Thank you for coming. You didn’t mind sitting on the floor and eating the food we prepared. You’re like family to us,” said Gusdiani. Since Surianto became paralysed, relatives stopped staying for meals during visits, afraid of burdening the family. Though he appreciated their thoughtfulness, the once-sociable Surianto often felt a sense of loss.
Seeing how happy her parents were, their daughter Athira Ramadani expressed, “Your visits have made Mum more optimistic. Thank you for providing us with the hospital bed, daily necessities, and even financial aid when we struggled to cope. That’s such a great kindness. I hope I can help others the way you do one day.”
◎ A journey of care and compassion
Hoi Ting still remembers their first home visit in late 2021. Surianto was lying on a hospital bed in the living room while Gusdiani tearfully explained their situation.
The couple, who came from Indonesia more than 20 years ago, faced a turning point in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted Surianto’s construction work. He later took on odd jobs, but a fall at a worksite severely injured his spine, resulting in a loss of sensation in his lower body.
To keep the family afloat, Gusdiani began selling banana fritters, but her modest earnings barely covered their basic needs, let alone Surianto’s treatments. Fortunately, shortly after the volunteers’ visit, they received Zakat assistance, which helped ease the financial burden of Surianto’s medical and transportation expenses for follow-up appointments.
For the past four years, volunteers have visited monthly, offering companionship and care. They also provided an electric hospital bed and a wheelchair, and arranged for a TIMA physiotherapist to guide Surianto’s rehabilitation.
In addition, the volunteers supported the children’s education. When Athira was accepted into college in 2023, volunteers helped apply for Tzu Chi’s living allowance so she could focus on her studies. Her younger sister, who is average in academics but passionate about sports, gained a boost in confidence after receiving the Excellent Performance Award from the Tzu Chi Study Grant. Volunteers also enrolled her in the “i·didik” online tutoring programme, and her academic progress has brought great comfort to Gusdiani.
Touched by the volunteers’ ongoing care, Surianto eventually became a donor, contributing what he could each month to help others in return.
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At the Hari Raya distribution event, Gusdiani beamed as she received her gift pack. She was grateful for the meaningful celebration and decided to begin recycling and saving coins in the bamboo bank daily—even if it is just ten cents—because she wanted to be part of this Great Love. She sincerely hopes that the compassion she has experienced through Tzu Chi will continue to spread, touching more lives and inspiring others to practise kindness.
