The Most Intimate Care in the Worst Environment
Written by Yong Siew Lee, Malacca / Translated by HY Yong![Kong Pui Choon thanked Ng Kim Poh (middle) and other volunteers for cleaning up their home and sending items like mattresses to improve their quality of life. [Photograph by Yong Siew Lee]](/images/stories/cs/2018/20180728_YSL01_1_102.jpg "Kong Pui Choon thanked Ng Kim Poh (middle) and other volunteers for cleaning up their home and sending items like mattresses to improve their quality of life. [Photograph by Yong Siew Lee]")
The elderly Kong brothers lived in a terraced house filled with recyclables. When volunteers visited the home, they found out that the elder brother, Kong Pui Choon, who had a stroke, and the younger brother, Kong Ah Chye, who has a slight mental disability, were living in a poor environment. Volunteers not only took the brothers to seek medical treatment, but also repaired and reorganized their home.
Reaching Out to Sungai Rengit Fire Victims
Written by Cheong Siew Wai & Tsze Hut Sea，Pengerang / Translated by Ong Mooi Lin![Fire victim, Koe He Chooi, donated the relief cash he received back to Tzu Chi to help those who are more in need. [Photograph by Cheong Siew Wai]](/images/stories/cs/2018/20180709_CSW01_1_021.jpg "Fire victim, Koe He Chooi, donated the relief cash he received back to Tzu Chi to help those who are more in need. [Photograph by Cheong Siew Wai]")
A merciless blaze destroyed three old shop-houses at Pengerang, and took away the lives of a senior couple, who ran an electrical appliance shop. Upon receipt of the news, Tzu Chi volunteers were mobilized to assess the situation and comfort the fire victims.
Muslim Care Recipients Joined Gawai Dayak Celebration
Written by Tu Li Syan, Kuching / Translated by Ong Yoke Ching![Tzu Chi Kuching held a joint celebration of Gawai Dayak and Eid al-Fitr on July 1, 2018. At the event, Tzu Chi volunteers led the children to perform sign language interpretation of the song, “We Are Family”. [Photograph by Ng Hsiung Hsiung]](/images/stories/cs/2018/CS_KU20180701_hxx03_200.jpg "Tzu Chi Kuching held a joint celebration of Gawai Dayak and Eid al-Fitr on July 1, 2018. At the event, Tzu Chi volunteers led the children to perform sign language interpretation of the song, “We Are Family”. [Photograph by Ng Hsiung Hsiung]")
On July 1, 2018, Tzu Chi Kuching centre was merry with volunteers busily preparing for the Gawai Dayak celebration and Eid al-Fitr gathering, before welcoming the care recipients from 26 households.
Soothing an Inmate’s Worry
Written by Low Siew Lian, Malacca / Translated by Wong Mun Heng![Goh Kok Eng (left) and TIMA doctor visited care recipient, Choo Kim. [Photograph by Low Siew Lian]](/images/stories/cs/2018/20180603_LSL01_3_018.jpg "Goh Kok Eng (left) and TIMA doctor visited care recipient, Choo Kim. [Photograph by Low Siew Lian]")
Initially, he could not understand the volunteers’ kind intention and tried to chase them away. But for his son in jail, volunteers did not give up. They tried all means and finally managed to gain his trust. With that, the father and two sons had a change of fate for the better.
Transforming Life Adversity into Blessings
Written by Low Hai Loon, Klang / Translated by Ong Mooi Lin![At volunteers’ encouragement, Geetha, who was recovering from her injury, followed her husband, Sukumaran, to take part in recycling activity. [Photograph by Koh Poo Leng]](/images/stories/cs/2018/RW_KA20180415_xbl01_030.jpg "At volunteers’ encouragement, Geetha, who was recovering from her injury, followed her husband, Sukumaran, to take part in recycling activity. [Photograph by Koh Poo Leng]")
Tzu Chi volunteers walked into the life of Sukumaran’s family five years ago, through an affinity bridged by Tzu Chi Study Grant. Back then, Sukumaran was facing a business crisis and his wife, Geetha, was suffering from a severe spinal injury due to a traffic accident. With volunteers’ caring companionship, their life is gradually back on track again. Although there are still many challenges ahead, the couple is determined to walk the Bodhisattva Path to reciprocate the kindness they have received.
Single Mother Makes Income through Sale of Cookies
Written by Low Siew Lian, Malacca / Translated by Connie Ong![When baking festive cookies for Tzu Chi, Yati realized that it could be her additional source of income. [Photograph by Low Siew Lian]](/images/stories/cs/2018/20180516_LSL01_1_034.jpg "When baking festive cookies for Tzu Chi, Yati realized that it could be her additional source of income. [Photograph by Low Siew Lian]")
With Eid al-Fitr approaching, Tzu Chi Malacca invited an Indonesian woman, Yati Anon, to make festive cookies for the care recipients, so that she can make some income to support her family.
Tzu Chi’s Disaster Relief Experience Sharing
Written by Gan Chian Nee, KL & Selangor / Translated by Lee Hui Yieng![Volunteer Lim Theam Aik shared about Tzu Chi’s disaster relief principles and mechanisms, as well as, inventions for disaster relief. [Photograph by Gan Chian Nee]](/images/stories/cs/2018/CS_KL20180326_yqn01_001.jpg "Volunteer Lim Theam Aik shared about Tzu Chi’s disaster relief principles and mechanisms, as well as, inventions for disaster relief. [Photograph by Gan Chian Nee]")
Yayasan Hasanah, a foundation of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, organized a forum for sharing of experiences and key learning from natural disaster response. Tzu Chi was the only Buddhist organization invited to the forum among several other governmental and non-governmental bodies.
Striving for a Better Future
Written by Low Hai Loon, Klang / Translated by Lee Hui Yieng![Thiban’s perseverance and hard work had created unlimited possibilities for him. [Photograph by Koh Poo Leng]](/images/stories/cs/2018/CS_KA20180325_xbl01_028.jpg "Thiban’s perseverance and hard work had created unlimited possibilities for him. [Photograph by Koh Poo Leng]")
Coming from a poor family, 18-year-old Thiban did not give up on his study. Instead, he was motivated and determined to strive even harder. His efforts paid off when he achieved 10 As in the 2017 SPM examination.
Spreading Love to the Fire Victims
Written by Yau Sai Moi，Sandakan Translated by Lee Hui Yieng![Volunteers handed the cash aid to the fire victims respectfully. [Photograph by Chin Tet Fui]](/images/stories/cs/2018/CS_SK20180324_cdh01_004.jpg "Volunteers handed the cash aid to the fire victims respectfully. [Photograph by Chin Tet Fui]")
A fire broke out at about 1 am on March 19, 2018, destroyed 28 wooden houses in Kampung Seng Kee and causing 156 people homeless.
In Times of Misfortune, Love Prevails
Written by Yap Soo Lan， Kota Kinabalu，Sabah / Translated by Ong Mooi Lin![Volunteers were mobilized to assess the situation and conduct a cash relief distribution after a fire occurred at Kampung Lembaga Padi, Likas. [Photograph by Lee Chee Keong]](/images/stories/cs/2018/CS_KK20180305_lzq02_090.jpg "Volunteers were mobilized to assess the situation and conduct a cash relief distribution after a fire occurred at Kampung Lembaga Padi, Likas. [Photograph by Lee Chee Keong]")
On March 1, 2018, when many were getting ready to celebrate the last day of the Lunar New Year, more than 100 people in Kampung Lembaga Padi, Likas, lost their homes in a fire that broke out at around 4 am. Fortunately, no casualties was reported.