Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) organised the 2022 Virtual Lunar New Year Celebration cum Charity Aid Distribution for Chinese care recipients. Volunteers were divided into groups to visit care recipients at their homes across the island and watch the online celebration programme together. (Photo by Yaw Huey Xin)
"The Lunar New Year is about to arrive!" Two emcees appeared on the TV or computer screen, accompanied by the joyous Lunar New Year song. With a "God of Wealth" and the good-humoured bantering between the emcees, a festive atmosphere was instantly ignited across the virtual party.
Shortly before Tzu Chi volunteers arrived, Mr and Mrs Wong were already smiling brightly. As soon as they opened the door, they immediately took out a bag of coins and expeditiously handed it to Soh Siew Tin. Mr Wong said joyfully, "Now that I am better, I want to give back and show my gratitude to Tzu Chi. I want to help as much as I can."
In the past, one of them suffered from severe depression while the other suffered from delusional disorder. Coupled with strained financial responsibilities, the situation was so dire to the point where they were unable to take care of their two young children. It was during that lowest point in their lives that they crossed paths with Tzu Chi. With the unwavering companionship of Tzu Chi volunteers through the years, akin to a family who never leaves, and with timely encouragement, all that finally gave them the courage to continue ahead till today.
What could be more joyous and worthy of being grateful for during this joyful spring festival than a family getting together for a cosy celebration?
Meeting with the Care Recipient’s Wife for the First Time after Eight years
2011 was a year of heavy responsibilities weighing down on Mr Wong. His business investment had failed, and he fell into great trouble. Having experienced such business failure in his mid-life, which disrupted the peace and stability in their lives, Mrs Wong, who worked as a government grassroots worker, could not take the blow. She then suffered from severe depression and eventually had no choice but to quit her job.
From then on, Mrs Wong's condition deteriorated. She shut her doors and did not welcome any guests. She refused to socialise and continued her life in total isolation from the outside world. Whenever the home visit volunteers visited them, she would retreat to her bedroom. Still, the volunteers persisted and took turns to render care. Finally, after eight years, Mrs Wong let her guard down.
Siew Tin recalled, "We have been rendering care and support for nearly eight years but never had we once seen Mrs Wong. Whenever we arrived at their house, Mrs Wong would return to her room. It was only until these two years when the situation improved, and we gradually became friends."
Mrs Wong revealed that she had always refused to meet the home visit volunteers, but they never gave up and were persistent in communicating with her via email. "I exchanged emails with Brother Willy Ang in English and shared about my physical and mental condition. Brother Willy would provide my guidance and encourage me to cultivate an open mind."
Since the family became a care recipient household under Tzu Chi, the foundation has provided them with a monthly subsidy of SGD350 and visited the family each month. The subsequent educational support in subsidising their daughter's college tuition fees had also relieved the family of some burden. From then on, the volunteers have visited the family 120 times over the past ten years.
Mr Wong said, "I had looked forward to the monthly home visits by Tzu Chi volunteers. They are just like friends. Brother Tay Chin Joo even helped me set up a fish tank. He taught me how to take care of the fish, allowing me to develop an interest, and he never failed to share Dharma teachings with us every time."
"That is how my wife and I got out of our mental predicament step by step. I am really grateful for Tzu Chi."
Home visit volunteer Willy Ang (left) gently tap onto Mr Wong’s (right) shoulder as a gesture of support, while Mr Wong acknowledges it with his right hand. Without the need for words, the exchange of gestures demonstrated the comradery between two adults – a sense of mutual help and encouragement. (Photo by Yang Wen Ting)
Letting Go of the Past and Moving On with a Grateful Heart
In August 2021, Mr Wong returned to work at a fast-food restaurant where his role was to clear the crockeries. Both his children have also graduated and entered the workforce.
Mr and Mrs Wong felt that whilst both have not fully recovered from their illness, taking their medication on time has allowed them to control their physical and mental condition. They have also been able to relax and be more open to receiving. Besides, their current income is enough to sustain their lifestyle, hence, they requested Tzu Chi to stop their subsidies. Both husband and wife are grateful for Tzu Chi’s companionship throughout these years and hope that people from Tzu Chi will continue to visit and chat with them in the future.
Not only did they voluntarily request for the subsidy to cease. After Mr Wong started working again, he would pass the excess of his daily allowance to Mrs Wong, and for her to put it into the bamboo coin bank. When the volunteers visit each month, he would request for them to bring it back as a donation.
Having successfully changed her mindset, Mrs Wong learnt to be grateful, opened her heart and is able to live life more freely. She shared, “I hope that through Tzu Chi, I can help more people who are in need. I hope this small thought will multiply to something bigger.”
Volunteer’s Sincere Companionship Ends their Once Lonely Life
In previous years, Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore) would always organise the Lunar New Year celebration cum charity aid distribution for Chinese care recipients. Before the pandemic, care recipients were invited to Jing Si Hall to enjoy the celebration, and welcome the Lunar New Year. However, with the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic situation including the emergence of the new variant, the 2022 Lunar New Year Celebration was held virtually for the second year. A total of 88 groups of volunteers and care recipients gathered in small groups of three to five to join the virtual celebration on January 23rd.
Apart from delivering festive goodie bags and personally sending Lunar New Year greetings in advance, the volunteers also accompanied the care recipients at their homes on this day. In one household, as soon as the volunteers stepped in, Madam Wu brought out fruits that she prepared early to greet her guests. Madam Wu even cooked red bean soup from 7am that morning just to be served to the volunteers.
While watching Tzu Chi's 2022 virtual Lunar New Year special programme, everyone chatted and exchanged festive wishes. With the joyous New Year music playing from the programme, the house was filled with laughter and an abundance of joy.
The home visit volunteer team recorded a New Year Song to wish all care recipients a Happy Lunar New Year, and wished for peace, great health and good luck for everyone. (Screenshot by Foo Chai Chiwn)
Madam Wu was beaming with joy and happiness when she spoke about the ten-year affinity with Tzu Chi since she first crossed paths with the Foundation in 2010. Still, she could not help but sigh, "Time passes so fast. I have been with Tzu Chi for more than ten years now!"
Madam Wu spoke with much enthusiasm about the past. At that time, the volunteers insisted on checking in daily and arranged for house visits every fortnightly. Madam Wu was very grateful for the meticulous care and support from the volunteers.
"The volunteers always carefully sort out my medication and attach reminder notes on them. They will also accompany me when I see the doctor. I could feel their care and concern, everywhere and any time."
Now, Madam Wu and Tzu Chi are as close as a family. The monthly visits have also become what she looks forward to the most. Having the volunteers visiting her, chit-chatting and even asking simple questions like "Have you eaten?" or "How have you been recently?" fills her heart with love.
Madam Wu held onto volunteer Yang Wen Ting affectionately and confided, "I am very grateful to all of you (Tzu Chi volunteers). I feel delighted whenever I see all of you. I hope that all of you will stay longer each time!" It always seems like a family gathering with endless things to talk about, and that is an unbreakable Tzu Chi bond.
Volunteers Loo Soon Huat and Wan Suet Yue lamented that their volunteer journey with Madam Wu had not been easy. Madam Wu used to have suicidal thoughts as a result of her depression and the difficulties she faced in life. She was emotionally unstable when she first moved from the north zone to the central area. Hence the volunteers had to shower her with more care and concern and also persuade and guide her patiently in order to help her rebuild her confidence and enthusiasm towards life.
As the years passed and with repeated visits, they became more familiar with each other and trust was established. With Madam Wu's own efforts, her life gradually stabilised, and she no longer lives alone pitifully. From the bottom of their hearts, the volunteers felt extremely happy for her and will continue to provide companionship to her.
The virtual programme was informative and interesting. A volunteer and Madam Wu (right) watched on attentively and talked about their everyday life. (Photo by Kwek Kar Chiew)
Care Recipients Extend their Love
Witnessing the growth of the care recipients is the best New Year gift for the volunteers. When home visit volunteer Yaw Huey Xin and others arrived at Madam Lim’s house, they saw a bright and tidy home. It was a stark difference to when it was even a huge task for Madam Lim and her family just to keep the house well-ventilated and clean.
Madam Lim was diagnosed with mild intellectual disability. After giving birth to her child 18 years ago, she contracted urinary incontinence and is still suffering from it today. When Tzu Chi started visiting her in 2019, she would sometimes not have her diaper on and urinate on the bed uncontrollably as her knowledge towards health and hygiene was not adequate. Volunteer Huey Xin said, “At first, there were a lot of fleas in the house.”
Progressively, the volunteers taught Madam Lim’s husband and son how to maintain cleanliness at home. To help Madam Lin cultivate the habit of wearing the diaper, volunteers substituted those diapers with self-adhesive to the more convenient pull-up diaper pants. They also patiently reminded Madam Lim to always put them on.
Under the care of the volunteers, Madam Lim gradually developed the habit of wearing her diaper daily. Her husband and son also kept the house clean, and naturally, the fleas disappeared.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was impossible to continue with the monthly home visits. However, home visit volunteer Huey Xin and the team continued to care for Madam Lim and her family by catching up through phone calls. She shared, “Every time we spoke on the phone, it would be nearly an hour long.”
This was also the second time Madam Lim and her family have participated in the virtual Lunar New Year special programme. They were all looking forward to the visit by the volunteers. Madam Lim’s husband, Mr Chung, said with a smile, “I’m very happy!”
After watching the 2021 Tzu Chi Singapore Year-in-Review video, he is even more impressed with the good deeds Tzu Chi has done. He said, “Master Cheng Yen is so compassionate and always saving the entire world.” He also returned his filled bamboo coin bank to Tzu Chu to keep the love going.
The Lunar New Year is a special programme produced by the Tzu Chi Charity Development Department. Joy and laughter were brought to the care recipients with the appearance of the God of Wealth and the humorous exchange by the two emcees. (Screenshot by Foo Chai Chiwn)
In this year’s Lunar New Year special programme, the emcees conveyed the concept of creating common good and compassion by being vegetarian and protecting animals in a lively manner. They hoped that the care recipients would appreciate and feel the joy of this festive season.
Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tzu Chi continues to send love to disadvantaged families. While providing sincere companionship to the needy households, they witnessed the positive changes and progress in their care recipients. At the same time, the care recipients also reciprocate Tzu Chu’s love and care for their family by filling the bamboo coin bank to donate for the greater good. By maintaining a constant mindset of gratitude and contentment, the care recipients can also explore life more freely. Every bit of contribution counts. With everyone working towards creating a common good, may all get to enjoy a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous year filled with blessings and wisdom.
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