![After a magnitude-7.8 earthquake hit the southern region of Türkiye near the Syrian border, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor launched a fundraising campaign to gather support for the victims. [Photo by Sam Pin Fook]](/images/Articles/CS/2023/KL20230221_tpf01_002.jpg "After a magnitude-7.8 earthquake hit the southern region of Türkiye near the Syrian border, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor launched a fundraising campaign to gather support for the victims. [Photo by Sam Pin Fook]")
On February 6, 2023, a devastating earthquake hit the southern region of Türkiye, close to the Syrian border, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive damage to buildings. Tzu Chi KL & Selangor responded quickly by launching a fundraising campaign to support the relief efforts. The volunteers went to various locations such as markets, shopping malls, schools, parks, recycling points, apartments, and even outside mosques to collect donations and gather support for the earthquake victims.
“Sending love to Türkiye. Small donations collectively can make a big difference!” The volunteers’ messages echoed throughout the crowd as they held up donation boxes, appealing to passers-by to contribute. When a kind-hearted donor dropped money into the donation box, the volunteers bowed and expressed their gratitude saying, “Thank you and blessings to you!”
Giving is not the privilege of the rich. Heartwarming scenes were witnessed during the fundraising campaign launched by Tzu Chi KL & Selangor in response to the devastating earthquake that struck the southern region of Türkiye near the Syrian border. Homeless people donated their last pennies, Nepalese security guard Sanjip made an e-wallet donation by scanning a QR code, and Bangladeshi Faysal Hossain said that even though his donation might be small, he truly wanted to help the earthquake victims.
Be it rain or shine, day or night, support and donations were gathered at various places including markets, shopping malls, schools, parks, recycling stations, apartments, and even outside mosques.
◎ Showing selfless love and kindness
In addition to holding a charity sale at the Year-end Blessing event on February 12, 2023, volunteers also collected donations from parents waiting in their cars during school drop-off and pick-up times at SJK (C) Kheow Bin on February 16. Despite the scorching sun, the response was overwhelming, with some students donating bank notes into the bamboo banks, and even some parents urging their inactive children to donate by offering to lend them RM1 for the cause.
Inside the school compound, there were also students who shouted “aunty, aunty!” towards the volunteers outside the school walls, eager to donate. Drivers of various ethnic groups passing by also stopped their vehicles to give donations and thanked Tzu Chi, saying, “You all are great and have done many good deeds!”
Although the students’ donations were small in amount, teacher Tiong Ko Ing from the school was grateful to Tzu Chi for providing the opportunity for the students to practise kindness and empathy. Upon seeing the generosity of parents and students, she encouraged her students to write words of encouragement for the earthquake victims, and taught them the importance of showing love and care towards others. Teacher Tiong shared, “It was heart-wrenching to hear that a baby girl has lost all her family members to the earthquake. I am grateful for my own safety and job security. I will use my role as a teacher to help and educate the next generation about gratitude and love.”
Fourth-graders Lee Jun Tao and Hew Wen Yen from Tzu Chi International School Kuala Lumpur were also inspired to help the earthquake victims. Jun Tao pledged to gather the contributions of 100 people, while Wen Yen vowed to express gratitude to 100 people through bowing. During Jun Tao’s fundraising efforts, he approached an Indian boy. The latter expressed a desire to contribute but had no means to do so. A volunteer then showed the boy how to imitate the action of donating by slipping his hand into his pocket and dropping his love into the donation box. Moved by Jun Tao’s compassionate act, his parents decided to join him in the fundraising effort.
◎ Unhindered by sickness and old age
IOI Mall in Puchong and IOI City Mall in Putrajaya are among popular destinations for weekend shopping. During the weekends, volunteers in the communities organized into three shifts to fundraise.
Loi Shiao Kiang, who just recovered from a life-threating illness and was discharged from the hospital four days earlier, endured his discomfort to solicit donations for earthquake victims at the mall.
Shiao Kiang tested positive for Covid-19 in November last year, and caught influenza while in Australia in December. In January this year, he experienced persistent headaches and was ultimately diagnosed with meningitis. Despite having just recovered from the illness, Shiao Kiang promptly signed up to participate in the fundraising efforts.
With his weakened body, he worked tirelessly to raise funds. Reflecting on his near-death experience, he said, “I thought I would never have the chance to come out again.” Determined to “just do it”, he did not back down even when he felt trembling and dizziness at times.
Amidst the bustling crowd, a young man wearing earphones stopped and donated a RM50 note. A while later, he passed by again and donated another RM50 note. On the third time, he dropped another donation into the donation box and gave a keep-it-up gesture. His kindness warmed the volunteers’ hearts.
New volunteer Kong Siong Fui participated in a fundraising campaign for the first time. Though feeling discouraged after being rejected several times, he drew upon his courage to continue appealing to the public out of compassion for the earthquake victims. When a passerby praised him with a “well done,” he felt joyful and understood that where there is a will, there is a way. Chong Wai Tong, also a first-timer, believes that even a small donation from the public is a gesture of love and kindness. She shared with shining eyes and a smile, “When people drop their donations, I feel happy because there is one more person helping.”
Volunteer Tan Siew Kheng, who needs to rely on a rollator, was delighted to contribute. She expressed, “Actually, I feel ashamed that as a community leader, I cannot do much (due to my mobility issue). I have been thinking what else can I do.” Then, she recalled what a volunteer with disability, Lai Chin Tong, told her years ago, “Although our limbs’ mobility is limited, we still have our mouths that we can use to contribute.” These words were like an epiphany, motivating her to leave her house and form positive affinities with more people.
Volunteer Leong Chin Chin caught the attention of a donor due to her silver hair. Curious about her age, the donor asked, to which Chin Chin replied, “I am 82 years old.” Impressed, the donor raised a thumbs-up in admiration. Thanks to Tzu Chi, elderly volunteers like Chin Chin can contribute to make a positive impact in their golden years, writing their own stories of brilliance and leaving a lasting legacy.
Every time someone donated, Chai Pin Kang would express his gratitude by bowing and saying, “Thank you and have a wonderful day!” Despite standing for four hours during the fundraising effort, he found it fulfilling. He believes that by inspiring people to show their kindness through donation, we could bring positive feelings and comfort to disaster victims. He added, “We should be grateful for what we have, care for those around us, and lend a hand to those who are less fortunate than us.”
◎ Practising kindness on a daily basis
Bryan Chen and his family were window shopping at the Sunway Pyramid Mall when he noticed Tzu Chi volunteers raising funds. Without hesitation, he contributed to the collection box. He had been feeling sad after learning about the devastating earthquake in Türkiye on social media and had wanted to donate, but he was concerned about the credibility of online fundraising activities. Bryan stated, “I know barely anything about Tzu Chi, but I believe that the fundraising at the mall should be trustworthy.” He plans to find out more about Tzu Chi when he returns to Singapore, where he works.
Ramlee Salleh from Sabah shared, “I saw the news on television, as well as the casualties and severe damage caused by the earthquake. I hope my small contribution can help the suffering victims.” A Bangladeshi worker, Faysal Hossain, offered a simple yet sincere remark, “My donation may be small, but I truly want to help those affected by the disaster.”
On February 19, which was recycling day, Chew Goal Yee arrived at a recycling point and saw volunteers holding donation boxes. He immediately made a donation, explaining that he had wanted to donate but did not have the channel to do so. He said, “I am very happy to see that Tzu Chi is collecting donations (for the earthquake relief).” He believed that giving a little donation would not affect his daily life, but it could make a difference for the victims. Furthermore, compared to the relief and rescue teams working at the frontline, his donation was a small gesture. He said, “The money can have a greater value only if it is used in the right place.” Goal Yee is developing his career in Guangzhou, China, and has the habit of donating through the Tencent Charity platform every morning when he wakes up. To him, it is more blessed to give than to receive, and his daily little donation for a good cause adds value to his life.
●
Nearly 40 sessions of street fundraising activity were carried out in February to inspire kindness and support for the earthquake victims in faraway Türkiye. The funds raised will allow them to feel a little warmth and the hope to rebuild their homes.
