![In a cluttered corner of the living room, 80-year-old Lee Seng Keong and his 77-year-old wife, Ng Yok Lin, live surrounded by hanging clothes, dry goods, and decades-old newspapers and boxes. [Photo by Lim Chin Shein]](/images/Articles/CS/2024/KL20241103_lzs01_019.jpg "In a cluttered corner of the living room, 80-year-old Lee Seng Keong and his 77-year-old wife, Ng Yok Lin, live surrounded by hanging clothes, dry goods, and decades-old newspapers and boxes. [Photo by Lim Chin Shein]")
In an old terrace house in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, three elderly residents lived amidst overwhelming clutter, unable to clean due to their age and frailty. In response, Tzu Chi volunteers mobilised a team of over 100 people to restore their living space, bringing tangible change and renewed hope.
For 80-year-old Lee Seng Keong, mobility issues had confined him to a small space cluttered with cardboard boxes, old newspapers, and clothes. His wife, 77-year-old Ng Yok Lin, had no choice but to retreat upstairs, where three bedrooms were similarly packed with belongings, leaving barely any room to lie down. The only clear area was reserved for her younger brother, 68-year-old Ng Boon Leong, who has an intellectual disability. Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clutter, the family had long since given up hope of reclaiming their home.
In October 2024, Tzu Chi volunteer Heng Wa Seng was entrusted with assisting the family. During the first visit with fellow volunteers, Wa Seng found that Grandma Ng was reluctant to let strangers into her home, agreeing only to speak with them outside. Recognising the need for patience, the volunteers continued their visits, gradually earning her trust by sharing stories of Tzu Chi’s humanitarian work. Eventually, their sincerity won her over, and she agreed to accept their help.
On October 29, the volunteers began their efforts by providing haircuts and grooming for the three elderly residents while also tending to the potted plants outside. Over the next two days, they repaired water pipes and electrical connections and started clearing the living area. Among the many items they uncovered were Malay newspapers dating back to the 1980s and diaries.
As cherished possessions were being cleared away, the elderly couple hesitated, asking, “Can we take one last look?” Understanding their concerns about losing sentimental items, volunteers patiently showed them each piece, letting them decide what to keep or discard. This process took time, with the first day’s efforts yielding only a narrow pathway through the clutter. Nevertheless, about 1,500 kilogrammes of old newspapers were collected and sold, with the proceeds given to the family.
A towering 40-year-old mango tree in their front yard also had to be removed due to safety concerns. On November 2, with the help of a municipal contractor, the tree was cut down, and volunteers worked under the scorching sun to clear debris and restore the space.
◎ A united effort
On November 3, more than 100 volunteers, including university students and members of the public, gathered at the family’s home for a large-scale clean-up. The coordinated effort resembled a well-organised colony of ants, working tirelessly to restore a liveable space for the elderly family.
The conditions inside were challenging – unpleasant odours filled the air, and cockroaches and mice scurried about, eliciting startled reactions from volunteers. Rotten furniture, grime-laden kitchenware, a collapsed sink, and dented drainage pipes added to the difficulties. Yet, undeterred by the daunting task, the volunteers pressed on, first removing stacks of old newspapers and miscellaneous items blocking the entrance.
Due to limited space inside the house, volunteers used trolleys to transport bagged items over 100 metres to a sorting station beneath a nearby pedestrian bridge. Passers-by watched curiously as a team of more than 60 people sorted through the items.
As they carefully examined the discarded belongings, they found hidden treasures – money, rings, valuable old stamps, and three small boxes filled with personal mementoes. Grandma Ng’s face lit up as she received these unexpected keepsakes.
Inside the house, volunteers formed a human chain to efficiently pass out items before cleaning the floor, washing bathrooms, and scrubbing kitchen walls. They also purchased and installed a new storage rack, a kitchen sink, and other kitchen tools to improve functionality. After nearly six hours of work from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the ground floor was finally restored to a clean and orderly state.
The sorting team leader, Ong Pang Chye, estimated that old newspapers made up nearly 80 per cent of the collected waste, weighing over 5,000 kilogrammes, some dating back more than 40 years.
◎ A meaningful Sunday
Lai Wei Heong, a salesperson, learned about the initiative through a friend. Expecting a routine clean-up, he was shocked upon entering the home, unable to believe anyone could live in such conditions. Assigned to clean a downstairs bedroom, he found himself face-to-face with an infestation of cockroaches scurrying in all directions as he moved piles of old newspapers. From lifting and shifting items to wiping windows and cleaning the floor, he worked tirelessly, sweating through his clothes and had to change his shirt three times before the tasks were completed.
He jokingly shared that after spending hours among generations of cockroaches, he had finally overcome his fear of them. Although exhausted, he felt proud to have contributed, making his Sunday a uniquely fulfilling one.
Beyond restoring a clean home for the elderly, the effort also fostered connections among people in the neighbourhood. Some neighbours, who have lived there for 30 to 40 years, stepped inside the elderly family’s home for the first time, engaging in deeper conversations. Moved by the volunteers’ dedication, some neighbours even offered to provide free meals for the family, while others expressed interest in participating in Tzu Chi activities.
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Despite being covered in sweat and dust, the volunteers cherished the opportunity to contribute, knowing that just a few hours of effort had created a clean and comfortable living space for the family, significantly improving their quality of life.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, watching the volunteers bustling around, Grandpa Lee smiled shyly and said, “You all are so hardworking. I really like what you’ve done. I hope you’ll come again.”
Grandma Ng, her face filled with gratitude, said, “From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. So many people have come to my home and helped clear out all this rubbish. You all have accomplished a huge task which seemed formidable to me. Thank you, Tzu Chi. If only I had known you sooner!”
Before the volunteers left, Grandma Ng extended an invitation – once the house is fully cleaned, she hopes to welcome them back for a gathering.
