Volunteers Care for Fire Victims
Written by Teh Yuan Ying & Ng Wei Kiat, Kota Kinabalu / Translated by Wong Mun Heng
![The volunteers bowed 90 degrees and with both hands, presented the relief cash and eco- blankets to the fire victims. [Photograph by Teh Yuan Ying]](/images/stories/cs/2017/CS_KK20170317_zyy01_059.jpg "The volunteers bowed 90 degrees and with both hands, presented the relief cash and eco- blankets to the fire victims. [Photograph by Teh Yuan Ying]")
On March 14, 2017, a fire razed through 42 wooden houses at Kampung Muhibbah, Kota Kinabalu. On March 17, Tzu Chi volunteers from Kota Kinabalu went to Dewan Serbaguna Likas and distributed relief cash and eco-blankets to 278 affected families.
An Adjustable Bed – The Most Welcomed Gift
Written by Tan Kim Hion, KL & Selangor / Translated by Goh Hwe Yong
![The adjustable bed made it easy for Batriyah, the stroke patient, to sit up more easily, with the help of her husband, Abdul Karim (left). [Photograph by Yong Mun Fei]](/images/stories/cs/2017/CS_KL20170311_ywh01_014.jpg "The adjustable bed made it easy for Batriyah, the stroke patient, to sit up more easily, with the help of her husband, Abdul Karim (left). [Photograph by Yong Mun Fei]")
Tzu Chi volunteers presented an adjustable bed to Abdul Karim at his home. It was the most valuable gift he had waited for 12 years.
The Most Significant Decision
Written by Loh Siew Chien, Melaka / Translated by Ong Mooi Lin
![On the wall of Thiew Chai Wan’s house, was a stack of receipts for donations from his lifetime’s savings and bamboo bank savings, to help others through Tzu Chi. [Photograph by Yong Siew Lee]](/images/stories/cs/2017/20170216_YSL01_1_102.jpg "On the wall of Thiew Chai Wan’s house, was a stack of receipts for donations from his lifetime’s savings and bamboo bank savings, to help others through Tzu Chi. [Photograph by Yong Siew Lee]")
Thiew Chai Wan, an elderly with a positive outlook and has been leading a simple and frugal life, made a significant decision at his old age. For an old folk who did not receive much education, he has, nevertheless, his own interpretation of the meaning of life.
A Belated Full Moon Celebration for Twins upon Their Reunion
Written by Tan Kim Hion, KL & Selangor / Translated by Goh Hwe Yong
![Ah Lay Leme and Ruth Zanja from Myanmar, at the belated “one month old” birthday celebration for their twin babies. [Photograph by Hoh Wai Poh]](/images/stories/cs/2017/CS_KL20170219_hww01_003.jpg "Ah Lay Leme and Ruth Zanja from Myanmar, at the belated “one month old” birthday celebration for their twin babies. [Photograph by Hoh Wai Poh]")
Twins, Great Love and Gratitude, had been separated by circumstances for three months since they were born. They were finally reunited after much effort. Tzu Chi volunteers and church members held a belated full moon celebration for their reunion.
Elder’s Body Donation a Positive Influence on Family Members
Written by Low Siew Lian, Melaka / Translated by Goh Hwe Yong
![Ong Cheen Leen, the third daughter of the demised, shared with Tzu Chi volunteers on her father’s story about body donation. [Photograph by Low Siew Lian]](/images/stories/cs/2017/20170206_LSL01_1_13.jpg "Ong Cheen Leen, the third daughter of the demised, shared with Tzu Chi volunteers on her father’s story about body donation. [Photograph by Low Siew Lian]")
Traditionally, when a person dies, his body is either buried or cremated. But a more meaningful way is to donate and preserve the body intact, for the purpose of medical research. Ong Hock Seng, aged 70-plus, from Melaka, did just that. His unselfish choice won him respect and was duly accepted by his family.
Keeping Lonely Elderly Company during Festive Season
Written by Loo Chia Chia & Low Siew Lian, Melaka / Translated by Ong Mooi Lin
![Volunteers from Bacang mindfully arranged for a Lunar New Year celebration at the Warm Homes Care Centre, with a volunteer dressed as “God of Prosperity” to send blessings to everyone there. [Photograph by Quek Kah Hoon]](/images/stories/cs/2017/20170205_QKH01_1_102.jpg "Volunteers from Bacang mindfully arranged for a Lunar New Year celebration at the Warm Homes Care Centre, with a volunteer dressed as “God of Prosperity” to send blessings to everyone there. [Photograph by Quek Kah Hoon]")
Tam Lye Kuan, the hostess, was busily serving the guests at the Chinese New Year get-together, while Cheah Cheh clapped along to the rhythm of the songs… The unprecedented lively atmosphere at Lye Kuan’s home, and the volunteers’ thoughtfully prepared programmes, brought cheers to the lonely elderly.
Bringing CNY Cheers to Old Folks with Songs
Written by Tan Kim Hion, KL & Selangor / Translated by Yee Lee Ha
![The “Out-of-Tune Band” formed by Tzu Chi staff, volunteers and students from Tzu Chi Continuing Education Centre visited care recipient, Loh Mee Ping (centre) on the ninth day of Chinese New Year and brought her cheers through singing. [Photograph by Yong Mun Fei]](/images/stories/cs/2017/CS_KL20170205_ywh01_026.jpg "The “Out-of-Tune Band” formed by Tzu Chi staff, volunteers and students from Tzu Chi Continuing Education Centre visited care recipient, Loh Mee Ping (centre) on the ninth day of Chinese New Year and brought her cheers through singing. [Photograph by Yong Mun Fei]")
On February 5, 2017 (the ninth day of Chinese New Year), a team of Tzu Chi KL & Selangor’s staff and volunteers formed a 7-member band with guitars and ukuleles, to bring CNY cheers to elderly Tzu Chi care recipients through their singing.
A Chinese New Year Filled with Love
Written by Tan Kim Hion, KL & Selangor / Translated by Tai Ren Yin
![Volunteers thoughtfully arranged for a birthday celebration for Lim Sin Yoon (3rd right) and Nazli Ebrahimi (4th right). [Photograph by Yong Mun Fei]](/images/stories/cs/2017/CS_KL20170129_ywh01_054.jpg "Volunteers thoughtfully arranged for a birthday celebration for Lim Sin Yoon (3rd right) and Nazli Ebrahimi (4th right). [Photograph by Yong Mun Fei]")
Seventy-four-year-old Lim Sin Yoon, who lives in Setapak, had a Chinese New Year brightened up with love. Thirty-six-year-old Nazli Ebrahimi from Iran understood that to be able to help an elderly on spring cleaning on her birthday, was a blessing. The duo spent the Chinese New Year in a unique manner.
I want to live to my 100s
Written by Tan Kim Hion, Kl & Selangor / Translated by Chew Chiau Ping
Many will make New Year’s resolutions as they usher in a new year. Sixty-four-year-old Loh Mee Ping reiterated the same wish year after year, that is, to live life to the fullest. To her, she simply hopes for more time to experience as much of this world as she can, and be an inspiration to others.
New Year Celebration with Care Recipients
Written by Tzu Chi Documenting Team, Kl & Selangor / Translated by Yi Qin
![Tzu Chi volunteers had an early Lunar New Year celebration with Tzu Chi’s care recipients at KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall. [Photograph by Leong Chian Yee]](/images/stories/cs/2017/CS_KL20170108_lqy01_090.jpg "Tzu Chi volunteers had an early Lunar New Year celebration with Tzu Chi’s care recipients at KL Tzu-Chi Jing Si Hall. [Photograph by Leong Chian Yee]")
It is pretty common that people miss their loved ones during the festive season, which is all about family-togetherness. Each year around the Lunar New Year, Tzu Chi volunteers would prepare scrumptious vegetarian dishes and various programmes to welcome the care recipients “home” for a joyous reunion and celebration. Indeed, years of genuine companionship and care have brought volunteers and care recipients closer together, forming family-like bonds.