30 June 2013 Volunteer Class (8.30am till 4.30pm) at Tzu Chi Centre at Kelana Jaya

It was a class which I should have attended but have yet to find the time to do so. Somehow opportunity for joining the class seemed to somehow eluded me but I was never in a hurry to join one. Having the opportunity to do recycling and participating in other volunteering activities are more than suffice for me. I’m never the studious type when it come to attending volunteering class preferring to walk the path instead.

I guess the call from Li Chiu see chea really awaken me, I guess my fate has arrived. Initially I turned the opportunity down as I have intended to meet Angie and other close friends on that day. Somehow the Sunday gathering was cancelled , hence leaving me the opportunity to attend the talk. It was a hectic weekend for me having climbed Mount Kinabalu the 2nd time just days before. Tong was not in best condition, a day before I sent her to see eye specialist. The membrane in her left eye was removed and her eye was put on medication. I was not feeling on top of the world due to lack of sleep coupled with fatigue from the climb.

On Sunday, woke up earlier to prepare for dinner before dropping off some durians at sister’s place and after that headed straight for the class. By the time I arrived, almost half other participants have filled up the space. It started off with video on benefits of being vegetarian. Health benefits and various others. I guess for myself , I m hoping to be 100% but at the moment it is not really up to that mark though I m avoiding meat. After that there were few speakers invited to share their experiences.

The story of a see chea who had a most peaceful and smooth life before turning 28 really touches my heart. When things are smooth, remember nothing is permanent. Same comes when bad things happen, take it in a stride and learn and be grateful for the experience. Her story reminded me again that time is short, seize the moment and do whatever one intends to do . Don’t wait for tomorrow. A young man with muscle deterioration issue also shared his experiences with us. Both their stories are so touching. I never cried so much in my life. In the afternoon, we get to spend some time with a “gan en fu”. I count my blessing to be chosen to visit an Indian family of 5. The father was not working since an accident a year ago, the accident affected his mental state. The mum is the sole bread winner but her family is not entitled to JKM. Husband is still seeking treatment at Hospital Sg Buloh. There are 2 school going kids. The daughter takes care of the household and father when mother is not around. They were about to take their lunch at around 3.30pm when we arrived. Since they have run out of gas, they used rice cooker to cook. Lunch comprised of rice plus dhal. Noticed that daughter is suffering from some skin conditions. Not sure how I can help here but I have informed see chea to count me in if they happened to bring the father for doctor visit end of July. Really hope can help to convince doctor to provide recommendation so they could be entitled to some contribution from government. Tzu Chi is contributing RM150/month to them and the 2 kids are entitled to “young shoot” yearly scholarship. I feel this is where I could help, i know road to this path is not easy but there are so many deserving cases in the world.

In fact I felt so ashamed when the mother complained that she was not feeling well and her fingers pained (she lost a finger from the machine while working) yet the doctor did not give her a day MC. Life is so unfair. We have always taken MC for granted knowing that our GP will issue one when we are unwell but to the less fortunate , it is tough to convince doctor to grant them one. We complain about work stress, low pay but there are these group of people who are fighting for survival. What a contrast. My heart goes out to this family, would pray that the kids will be able to walk them out of poverty. Could see that the daughter is a filial daughter and studies hard. There is still hope and Tzu Chi is doing the right thing by lending a small hand to people in need. Till today, the story of this family still lingers in my mind. Why do some mothers have to face such tough life , why must the kids suffer so much. Their stories made me feel more grateful with my life. I have made a silent pledge to continue with my best effort to help this group of underpriviledge people. Their stories really strikes me deep inside…