Tzu Chi Batam's Volunteer: Nelly Yeo
Learn a Lot from Fang Shi
I can think that what has happened is because of a connection. Being near Fang Shi, I am constantly being reminded that in this world nothing is everlasting. I can now appreciate and be grateful for the life I have."
My encounter with Tzu Chi started around 2005. At that time, I applied for help to Tzu Chi for a toddler with heart abnormalities. In the end, the 2-year-old toddler passed away before Tzu Chi could help. Even so, my relationship with Tzu Chi did not stop there because I stayed in touch with the Head of Fang Shi (love visit) in Tzu Chi Batam, Wendy Shijie.
I am one of the volunteers who frequently calls Wendy Shijie to ask about how I can contribute and join Tzu Chi activities. My first Tzu Chi activity in Batam is Shou Yu (hand gestures). Sometimes I also participate in love visits.
Initially, I was very enthusiastic because I could contribute to a charity mission. I realized that many people in Batam did not have a decent life. But my spirit gradually subsided because of rejection I received. Why? At the time, fang shi volunteers, including me did not really understand the rules or procedures for receiving assistance in Tzu Chi. There were cases when our survey was often rejected because it did not meet the requirements of Tzu Chi. We had surveyed two to three times but still faced rejection. Because I got too angry, I refused to do case survey. But Wendy shijie came and gave a detailed explanation about criteria of a patient.
A few years later, Wendy shijie decided to release her position as chairman of Batam Tzu Chi fang shi due to her deteriorating health conditions. Fang shi's leadership was mandated to me.
A good connection has matured properly, even my husband did not forbid me from carrying this responsibility. Many volunteers supported me to accept the leadership relay. Since then I had the courage to take responsibility in charity mission by becoming the Head of Batam Tzu Chi's fang shi.
Grasping a Commitment
Since I became Head of fang shi I felt so busy; moreover, I also had a job, so my time was very limited. That one time was a difficult time for me to have free time with my family. I came home very late almost every night and did not have much time to spend with the kids. This made me realize I need to prioritize my family. Finally I discussed this with my husband and we decided that one of us had to commit to educate our children. I chose to quit my job so that I could focus on taking care of my children and taking my responsibility as Head of fang shi more effectively.
When I had been able to manage time well as the chairman of fang shi, I was faced with how to reignite the subsiding volunteer spirit of fang shi. In such conditions, I began to weave a good relationship with other fang shi volunteers. I started by keeping up my habit and always reminded myself that they were the same as me who dedicated all they have to contribute selflessly to spend time, power, and mind. From there, I learned that not only gan en hu (beneficiaries) should be noticed, but also every member of the volunteer needed to be noticed.
I really learned a lot from fang shi. After joining Tzu Chi, I started to learn that everything is entrusted to us but not fully belong to us. If we have to let go of it, then it no longer belongs to us. As we experienced in the company some corporate funds had been embezzled and taken away several times. The loss can easily reach billions of rupiah. Before, I will definitely try to look for it, but now I can think that what has happened is because of a connection. Being near Fang Shi, I am constantly being reminded that in this world nothing is everlasting. I can now appreciate and be grateful for the life I have.
As told to Bobby Supardi (Batam Tzu Chi)
Translated by Valdi
Edited by : Caroline Widjanarko (Tzu Chi School)
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