"For many years, I had been the one going up on stage to receive awards. Today, I am the emcee calling the award recipients onto the stage. It feels so wonderful and magical." – Andrina
At the backstage of the Dharma Hall, Andrina Devi a/p James, donning a volunteer vest, was thrilled to see volunteer Ong Saw Tin. She eagerly grasped Saw Tin's hand and affectionately exclaimed, "I am so happy today! Watching those students receive awards on stage, I feel like I have grown up from a child to an adult! I now have the ability to do good deeds."
For Andrina, November 5, 2023, was an unforgettable and beautiful day at the Tzu Chi Study & Awards Scheme presentation ceremony held at the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall. Not only did she serve as the emcee, but her younger sister also received an award for academic excellence. Witnessing her sister receive the award on stage, she exclaimed that it was a wonderful and magical moment.
The words “Tzu Chi” and “Tzu Chi Study & Awards Scheme” are etched as lifelong memories in Andrina's mind, while the volunteers’ kindness and smiles have left an indelible mark on her heart. As she reflects on over a decade of growth, it is the volunteers who repeatedly extended their helping hands, enabling her to pursue her dreams without worry.
Andrina was recommended by her teacher to apply for Tzu Chi Study & Awards Scheme in 2012, when she was in Primary 4. Her father, James a/l Arockiasamy, worked as a lorry attendant, with income barely enough to support the family, while her mother, Devi a/p Veran, was a homemaker. When the volunteers visited their home, they discovered that despite their financial struggles, Andrina’s parents placed great emphasis on their children’s education.
Thanks to the care and dedication of the volunteers, Andrina and her three younger sisters became beneficiaries of the Tzu Chi Study & Awards Scheme for five consecutive years, greatly alleviating their parents’ burden. In 2016, Andrina and her second sister, both in secondary school, faced the challenge of insufficient funds for transportation fees. The volunteers stepped in and applied for Tzu Chi Educational Sponsorship Programme, providing them with a monthly subsidy of RM150 for several years. This support allowed them to complete their secondary education smoothly. Andrina expressed deep gratitude for this assistance, which not only covered their school expenses, but also brought warmth through the volunteers’ monthly visits to their home.
As Andrina steadfastly pursued her dream of becoming a teacher, the COVID-19 pandemic cast a shadow over her aspirations. Her father, a diabetic, lost his job. To generate income, her mother, who suffered from heart disease, used government aid to purchase ingredients and prepared nasi campur (an Indonesian rice dish) for a company nearby. However, a few months later, the company faced economic difficulties and stopped ordering meals from her. To compound matters, their neighbourhood was declared a COVID-19 hotspot, subjecting them to tightened movement control measures. Anxious and desperate, Devi made multiple distress calls. Finally, she reached a Tzu Chi volunteer, and three days later, Tzu Chi provided financial aid, allowing the family to safely navigate through the lockdown period.
◎Hang in there
After enduring two years of the pandemic, the socio-economic landscape began its recovery, and James actively sought employment. Meanwhile, Andrina’s acceptance into a teachers’ training university and the excellent academic achievements of her sisters brought a glimmer of hope to the family. But fate had other plans.
In July 2022, James suffered an accident, fracturing his left foot and experiencing severe spinal pain, rendering him unable to work, and continued to accept help from Tzu Chi. Andrina, as the eldest daughter, faced a difficult decision. She proposed quitting school to work and contribute to the family’s income. However, Devi stood firm. She reminded Andrina, “Tzu Chi has supported us for so long with the hope that you can complete your education and pursue your dreams. If you abandon your studies halfway, wouldn’t you be letting the volunteers down?” Devi’s words resonated with Andrina, and she resolved to persevere, continuing her educational journey.
When volunteers learned that Andrina and her second sister were struggling to meet their basic needs while studying away from home, they secured a monthly allowance of RM300 for them, allowing them to focus on their education without hunger or worry.
●
For over a decade, Andrina’s family has weathered one challenge after another, and the volunteers have continued to light their way, holding their hands and never letting go.
