![Having encountered Tzu Chi in her golden years, Sister Chin, like a humble firefly, lit up her heart through giving, discovering fulfilment and joy. [Photo by Yong Kar Chew]](/images/Articles/PPL/2024/KL20241020_yjc01_022.jpg "Having encountered Tzu Chi in her golden years, Sister Chin, like a humble firefly, lit up her heart through giving, discovering fulfilment and joy. [Photo by Yong Kar Chew]")
To many in their eighties, the golden years often mean a life of relaxation – either staying at home due to limited mobility or being cared for by their family. However, for Tzu Chi volunteer Lee Ming Chin, life in her golden years is anything but idle. Instead, she has dedicated herself to a life of giving, filling her later years with purpose and brilliance.
Lee Ming Chin, also fondly known as Sister Chin among Tzu Chi volunteers, resides in 1 Razak Mansion, Kuala Lumpur. Despite a slight hunch and a forward-leaning gait, her steps are light and brisk, exuding diligence and energy. That is exactly her. Since becoming a Tzu Chi volunteer in 2015, the 83-year-old has never stopped: collecting donations, visiting underprivileged families, recycling, helping with cleaning and kitchen duties at the KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall, and even participating in sutra adaptation performances.
At first glance, her reserved nature may seem unapproachable. However, once she starts speaking, especially about her experiences with Tzu Chi, her face lights up with joy. She often humbly repeats, “It’s nothing. I have the time, so I go wherever Tzu Chi needs me. It brings me great joy to help others!” Her shy smile reveals a pure and simple kindness.
Having received little formal education, Sister Chin worked in her younger years as a seamstress, dishwasher, and cleaner. Like many housewives, her life revolved around her husband and daughters, leaving little time for anything else. It was not until her husband passed away and her daughters got married that she joined Tzu Chi, thus beginning a deeply fulfilling chapter in her life. Fellow volunteer Teh Suet Ngoh, who has acted as Sister Chin’s mentor for many years, observed, “Sister Chin is highly cooperative and always eager to learn. She enthusiastically signs up for all kinds of activities.”
Since 2017, Sister Chin has taken on the role of leader for the Tzu Chi recycling point at 1 Razak Mansion. All these years, she is always the first to arrive and among the last to leave. “She is incredibly responsible,” said Suet Ngoh, acknowledging that while Sister Chin can be impatient at times and requires patient communication, fellow volunteers appreciate her dedication to Tzu Chi. “Sister Chin has lived here most of her life. It’s reassuring to have her lead fellow volunteers in managing the recycling point.”
Leveraging her connections in the neighbourhood, Sister Chin reminds residents to send recyclables to the collection point on Tzu Chi’s designated Recycling Day each month. “Some elderly residents are unable to go out as easily, so I’ll go to their home to pick them up,” she explained. True to her words, she always shows up in the company of another volunteer. Though she may not be good at expressing herself verbally, her actions embody Master Cheng Yen’s wisdom: “Waste no moment and make every step a solid one.”
◎ Staying simple, giving tirelessly
Besides Recycling Day on the third Sunday of every month, Sister Chin takes the bus to the Tzu Chi recycling centre in Desa Petaling every Thursday. Despite the journey taking more than an hour round trip, she never gets tired of it. Instead, she works tirelessly with the other volunteers, dedicating her time and effort to the recycling centre. “I’m giving the same, I have time anyway. It’s worth it!” Sister Chin said, flashing a smile that revealed a few missing teeth, adding a touch of childlike innocence.
Over the years, Sister Chin and Suet Ngoh have developed a close bond. When asked why she choose to keep herself very busy instead of enjoying a leisurely retirement, Sister Chin often responds, “I just do whatever Suet Ngoh tells me to!” To this, Suet Ngoh always simply smiles; after all, they have long regarded each other as family. She shared, “Some volunteers have noticed that Sister Chin’s hunchback has improved, likely due to the physical activity she gets from her recycling work.”
“Inspiring compassion is one of the trainings for Tzu Chi volunteers, where we learn to subdue our ego while going around to evoke kindness and raise donations. The purpose is not only to help those in need, but more importantly, to bring forth the compassion within us.” When Sister Chin heard this sharing from Suet Ngoh, she immediately began recruiting. With her extensive network from recycling activities, she soon recruited many kind-hearted residents in her neighbourhood.
“She now manages over 70 donors,” Suet Ngoh informed. “Every month, she passes the donations on time and with complete accuracy, for me to submit to Tzu Chi office through an online platform. It’s truly impressive.” When asked how she solicits donations, Sister Chin answered right away, “Tzu Chi needs a lot of money to help the poor. Have you donated?” Her forthrightness is both amusing and refreshingly frank.
◎ Learning diligently, blossoming slowly
In April 2024, Tzu Chi KL & Selangor launched the “Loving Stores” programme, encouraging businesses to invite their customers to donate spare change into bamboo banks provided by Tzu Chi. Volunteers would then regularly return to participating stores to collect the donations. The goal is to introduce Tzu Chi to the community and inspire compassionate actions, thereby creating a loving community.
For Sister Chin, who hardly interacts with people outside her neighbourhood, this was a challenge. Furthermore, her limited proficiency in English and Malay made her nervous about engaging with non-Chinese business owners.
To support her, Suet Ngoh and fellow volunteers guided her through the process, showing her around the stores in her neighbourhood. Sister Chin followed closely, speaking little but observing how the volunteers communicated with the store owners. Just as she had done more than nine years ago when she first joined Tzu Chi, she often observed and learned from fellow volunteers, blossoming slowly like a flower.
Having dedicated years to Tzu Chi’s mission, Sister Chin was finally ready to take the next step. On December 9, 2024, she flew to Taiwan to receive Master’s blessings and be officially certified as a Tzu Chi Commissioner. Looking back, she laughed at the worries that once held her back. “I used to worry that I wouldn’t look elegant enough in the Commissioner’s cheongsam, and there are many reports to write – it’s intimidating!”
But in the end, she took the leap, embracing the role with the same wholehearted dedication that has defined her journey.
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Like a firefly, although the glow may seem faint, it shines with purpose, illuminating not only the lives of others, but also her own heart.
