Tzu Chi Jakarta Volunteer: Lynda Suparto
Matching with Virtue
There are various reasons why there are so many Tzu Chi volunteers in the world, and even Tzu Chi can exist in 47 countries. However, one of the things that becomes a "magnet" is the strength of Tzu Chi which makes volunteers not only do good deeds but also get the opportunity to train themselves.
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Since the beginning, Lynda Suparto seems to have been matched with the path of virtue. Lynda comes from a devout Buddhist family and lives in Medan. The wife of Awaluddin Tanamas had studied at a Methodist Christian School, before marrying and moving to Jakarta in 1989. Hand in hand with her husband, Lynda developed a business as well as being a good wife and mother to her four children.
Like other Tzu Chi volunteers, at first Lynda Suparto or better known as Lynda Awaluddin was only a benefactor. Every month she donates her funds to charity through Tzu Chi. It was Lim Jian Liang Shixiong and his wife, Lai Zhen Yue Shijie, two Taiwanese who opened their businesses in Indonesia who influenced Lynda and her husband, Awaluddin Tanamas, to become Tzu Chi volunteers and loyal students of Master Cheng Yen. Apparently, apart from establishing a business relationship, Lim Jian Liang and his wife later gave rise to Lynda and her husband to establish a virtue match with Tzu Chi.
Doubts That Have Appeared
If at first Lynda hesitated, not so with her husband. Since 1997, Awaluddin has been a Tzu Chi donor. "When my husband donated to Tzu Chi, I didn't really agree at first, because if I haven't seen the activities myself, I don't think I'm sure," said Lynda honestly. While the husband himself has the principle that if he is sure to donate, then just do it. If someone misuses it, let them bear the consequences themselves. This is in stark contrast to Lynda's principles. “What am I contributing, I want to know where it is going?” said the woman who was born in Medan, 1967.
As if realizing his wife's doubts, Awaluddin, who later became a Tzu Chi volunteer, always told what happened after participating in Tzu Chi activities. "Well, what do you want to see? Earlier, we had distributed basic necessities —cooking oil, biscuits, rice, and others—but instead we were taught to "Gan En" (thankful) to the people we helped, because we were given the opportunity to do good," Awaluddin said at the time. . "In my heart, I really can't believe it, is there really such a foundation, I have donated but I am grateful to those who have been given assistance," said Lynda.
Driven by curiosity and curiosity, Lynda finally came to Serang when Tzu Chi was holding a health social service. From here then Lynda's heart and mind opened. "It turned out to be real. It was the first time I saw it, I was immediately touched and moved,” she recalls.
After that, Lynda decided to follow in her husband's footsteps. “At that time, Tzu Chi's office was still in Kelapa Gading, and there were not many activities,” recalls Lynda. Before, during and after the monetary crisis that occurred in Indonesia in 1997-1998, the field of Tzu Chi's blessings was wide open. Although the social activities that Lynda participated in at that time were still on a small scale, such as distribution of basic necessities (cooking oil, rice, and sugar) as well as medical treatment for the underprivileged, it turned out to be enough to provide a different understanding of Tzu Chi compared to other social organizations that she knew. . “I can see and feel for myself, we are the ones who give help to others, but we are the ones who are grateful. Tzu Chi is also a place for us to train ourselves, that's the strength of Tzu Chi," she said. In addition, according to Lynda, by participating in Tzu Chi activities, such as love visits, she can see and feel grateful that she is much luckier than the people she visits. “As Master Cheng Yen taught us, we can learn to be more open-minded, more humble, and generous in helping others,” said Lynda, who was appointed a member of the Tzu Chi Committee in 2003.
In addition, according to Lynda, by participating in Tzu Chi activities, such as love visits, she can see and feel grateful that she is much luckier than the people she visits. “As Master Cheng Yen taught us, we can be more open-minded, more humble, and generous in helping others,” said Lynda, who was appointed a member of the Tzu Chi Committee in 2003.
During nearly 13 years in Tzu Chi, Lynda admits that her journey into the world of Tzu Chi is a good fate. She still clearly remembers the early days when she first joined as a volunteer, where she received a lot of guidance from Tzu Chi volunteers from Taiwan who lives in Jakarta, such as Liu Su Mei (Chairman of Tzu Chi Indonesia), Kao Pao Chin, Cun Ing, Su Hui and other senior volunteers, Chia Wen Yu and Like Hermansyah. As the youngest, Lynda also received a lot of guidance from her seniors.
The impact was quite positive for Lynda, she became more mature and understood Tzu Chi and Master Cheng Yen's teachings. Until finally in 2007, Lynda was entrusted as the Chairman of He Qi (Tzu Chi volunteer community) East. This belief certainly demands a high level of responsibility and totality. "Obviously, I have to maintain this trust. I also have to study harder,” she said excitedly. To practice this, every morning Lynda always looks for Master Cheng Yen's Contemplation words to send to her family, Tzu Chi volunteers, and friends. "Actually, this reminds me of myself. If you want to send it, you have to read it first. It reminds me of myself actually,” she said honestly.
As Chairman of He Qi, her busy schedule forced Lynda to be involved in all of Tzu Chi's missions in Indonesia: Humanity, Health, Education, Humanitarian Culture, and Environmental Preservation. He Qi Timur itself is unique because the majority of the volunteers are in one area, namely Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. Currently, the number of volunteers reaches more than 100 people (7 committees and blue-white), and plus gray-white uniform volunteers. Even though the numbers are relatively small, in every activity they can show solidarity and apply the humanistic culture of Tzu Chi. "Because each functional team is very strong (4 in 1), and they are willing to take responsibility, really compact," said Lynda proudly. Various activities such as Jing Si Talk and Book Review are also regularly held to enrich the volunteers' minds so that they are refreshed. In addition, according to Lynda, the individual factor of each volunteer is also very important, "It is the beauty of these individuals that then makes the beauty of the group."
Lynda hopes that the cohesiveness that has been established will be maintained. "Don't break it. There must be an understanding between each volunteer. This is a field of blessing that we work on with all our hearts, this is what we hope can make people touch and get to know Tzu Chi," she said, "plus another He Qi, hopefully, Tzu Chi will grow be bigger.
Not only large in the number of volunteers and donors, but really strong and solid roots. From strong roots, of course, it will produce twigs, fruit, leaves, and finally become a strong tree."
Lessons from Tzu Chi
"There is no ivory that is not cracked", as well as human life, nothing is perfect. This is also what happened to Lynda, her toughest ordeal came when her youngest son was diagnosed by a doctor with autism. Even so, Lynda and her family's worries were not excessive because they learned many life lessons in Tzu Chi. “I often take special treatment patient surveys and patient care visits, from there I can know and feel grateful that we are not lacking anything. Other people are going through more ordeal than our family,” explained Lynda.
Lynda and Awaluddin have 4 children, 2 daughters and 2 sons: Stella (21), Sharon (19), Andrew (18), and Alvin (14). Like her first three children early age as a child, Alvin did not show any difference. “When he was one year old, Alvin could walk, but when he spoke, he couldn't. The parents said it was okay, because there were children who walked first, spoke slower, and so on,” explained Lynda. Lynda's suspicions began to emerge when Alvin turned 2 years old, Alvin still could not speak. Lynda and her husband took Alvin to consult a doctor, and according to the doctor Alvin had autism (a condition that affects a person from birth or during his toddler years, which makes him unable to form normal social relationships or communication).
Even though she was hesitant at first, Lynda was finally able to accept it. Instead of blaming each other, Lynda and Awaluddin are more focused on finding solutions, one of which is therapy. "We also brought Alvin to Guangzhou for acupuncture for half a year," said Lynda. Every 2 weeks, Lynda and her husband take turns visiting Alvin. There Alvin was accompanied by a nanny and a cook from Indonesia. "It was quite a difficult time for our family, after we finished, we took them home and decided to go to therapy in Jakarta," explained Lynda.
Lynda's confidence to take care of her youngest child as well as possible was strengthened when she attended training in Hualien, Taiwan in 2007. In a sharing session, a Tzu Chi volunteer who has a child with a mental disorder testified how she had thought about killing her child. But after joining Tzu Chi, her mind and heart became open and could be more accepting of her child's condition and care for her with love.
According to Lynda, what happened to Alvin she considered a trial from God, “The important thing is that we try to give the best for Alvin. Thankfully his development was quite encouraging, he was able to follow what was taught. A lot of progress, especially in the field of Mathematics (calculus).” Lynda also did not treat Alvin in particular. "Of course, communication with Alvin is different, we know that autistic children must start with firmness. So start communication with the answers "yes" and "no". But after he grows up, he can communicate with us, 'yes' why, 'no' why?” she explained.
Lynda's confidence to take care of her youngest child as well as possible was strengthened when she attended training in Hualien, Taiwan in 2007. In a sharing session, a Tzu Chi volunteer who has a child with a mental disorder testified how she had thought about killing her child. But after joining Tzu Chi, her mind and heart became open and could be more accepting of her child's condition and care for her with love.
According to Lynda, what happened to Alvin she considered a trial from God, “The important thing is that we try to give the best for Alvin. Thankfully his development was quite encouraging, he was able to follow what was taught. A lot of progress, especially in the field of Mathematics (calculus).” Lynda also did not treat Alvin in particular. "Of course, communication with Alvin is different, we know that autistic children must start with firmness. So start communication with the answers "yes" and "no". But after he grows up, he can communicate with us, 'yes' why, 'no' why?” she explained.
It's the same in terms of education. Alvin was educated in public schools with additional education in therapy. For this, Lynda has her own reasons. “So we can socialize and interact with other children. Luckily the school didn't mind." This is also a suggestion from the therapist to get along and interact with many people so that the healing process is expected to be faster.
For some people, if having a child with autism is a "scourge" in the family, but not so with Lynda. "I have no shame in taking Alvin out," she said. According to Lynda, if you can't accept it in your own environment, then what about other people. In addition to providing therapy, Lynda also prayed to God to make a way (healing). “But more precisely, we do what we do, hopefully, God can bless Alvin. That's why from our family the first to become "Rong Dong" (Tzu Chi-ed honorary committee) is Alvin," said Lynda.
Business, Family and Tzu Chi
As a committee member, Lynda has a responsibility to raise volunteers and benefactors. Not only at home and in the neighborhood where she lives, Lynda also transmits this spirit to her company, PT Lestarindo Ampuh Perkasa. As a director as well as a housewife, Lynda can still work at Tzu Chi. “I am grateful to my staff, they have a heart as volunteers. It's true that I haven't gone down directly as a volunteer yet, but the drivers in my office often bring boxcars to transport Tzu Chi's goods during social services,” she said proudly.
All employees in the company are Tzu Chi donors. "There are more than 50 people. From the level of employees to staff, according to their abilities, but I start with the principle that there should be no compulsion,” said Lynda. According to Lynda, one of the media that is quite effective in spreading this love is the Bulletin and Tzu Chi Magazine. "So they can know that the funds they donated were used for anything," she explained.
All employees in the company are Tzu Chi donors. "There are more than 50 people. From the level of employees to staff, according to their abilities, but I start with the principle that there should be no compulsion,” said Lynda. According to Lynda, one of the media that is quite effective in spreading this love is the Bulletin and Tzu Chi Magazine. "So they can know that the funds they donated were used for anything," she explained.
Tzu Chi principles are also applied in the company, one of which is the recommendation not to use bamboo chopsticks and not to smoke. "The form is more of an appeal, not a ban. We try to raise their awareness by conducting socialization. In addition, I also apply to myself to always bring my own cutlery,” explained Lynda.
Instilling Tzu Chi Principles in the Family
Activities at Tzu Chi had a significant impact on Lynda's family and her husband, including their four children. From an early age, Lynda tried to introduce Tzu Chi to her children. Like during the health service, Lynda invited her children, who were 10-13 years old at the time, along with other volunteers to line up in the registration waiting room and entertain the patients with Shou Yu and sing along. Lynda also always tells her children about the Tzu Chi activities she participates in. "Even when my daughter Stella was studying in Singapore, I still regularly share about social activities here and words of reflection via e-mail," explained Lynda.
What is sown, that is what is reaped. Lynda's seriousness in instilling the principles of Tzu Chi in her children paid off sweetly. With Lynda's persistence in providing an understanding of the importance of vegetarianism for the good of herself and other sentient beings, Sharon, her second daughter who has become a member of the Tzu Ching in December 2007 decided to go vegetarian after attending Tzu Ching training in Taiwan. Lynda is very grateful because in the end, the virtue match with Tzu Chi has arrived for her children.
Ever once, Lynda was reprimanded by Alvin and Andrew for not applying Master Cheng Yen's teachings. "At that time I was angry and forbade the children, this is not allowed, it can't be that, eh I don't know. Alvin said, 'Mama gives us Master Cheng Yen's Contemplation Words every day, but why is Mama like this.' I immediately realized and apologized”, admitted Lynda.
No doubt for Lynda, she has to be able to divide time wisely between family, office work and Tzu Chi, especially with her position as Chairman of He Qi East, it is a challenge for her. However, with full awareness and gratitude, Lynda feels this is her virtue match and a blessing for her to be able to do good. With these challenges, Lynda saw it as an experience for herself to grow. "I am able to divide my time, I will use every second as well as possible," she said firmly.
As narrated to Hadi Pranoto and Wanda Pratama
Photo: Anand Yahya, Sutar Soemithra, Kurniawan
Translator: Olivia Tan (Tzu Chi Volunteers)
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