Tzu Chi Jakarta Volunteer: Yuliati
Walking on the Right Path with Tzu Chi
Nobody ever knows for sure when karmic relations will mature. That was what happened to Yuliati or more familiarly called Yonga. As a human, Yonga arranges beautiful plans and good things she wants in her mind. No one can tell when they will materialize. Likewise, she did not expect that her good karmic relations would mature so fast as she was able to join the Tzu Chi family.
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“I had wanted to become a member of the Tzu Chi family. I once told my husband, ‘it seems a good idea to get involved in such activities when we are old. [It is] so that we will have some things to do when we are old.’ However, it happened faster than expected, we were not that old when we’re able to join [Tzu Chi],” Yonga said.
Yonga’s prompting to her husband came about as the both of them often watched DAAI TV. The various voluntary work shown on the TV channel intrigued them into contributing. She later realized that intent by volunteering in assisting flood victims back in 2013. It was the first Tzu Chi voluntary activity she joined in.
Yonga, who was a ‘newbie’ at that time – who had not even registered as a volunteer, did not even think that she could go to the impacted area and distribute warm food to the victims. There she witnessed how severe the people were affected by the disaster. She was disheartened.
“Shixiong (Yonga’s husband –red) and I saw one family with a pregnant woman giving birth in a hospital during the floods. One of her children was a child with special needs,” Yonga started. “I was saddened seeing their condition. Just getting a packet of rice could make them so grateful. I got to think, why don’t I just continue doing good deeds like this? How could I not be grateful for my health, energy, and time,” she continued.
As soon as she arrived home, she had got her mind set on becoming a Tzu Chi volunteer. Two years later, in 2015, she became a Tzu Chi “Trainee Commissioner” and in 2017 she became a full-fledged Tzu Chi “Certified Commissioner”.
Yonga said it was a blessing that she and her husband were able to join Tzu Chi much earlier. “It is because we were able to feel the blessings sooner than expected. We felt that life was different. Before joining the Tzu Chi family, we thought that it could be an activity for us to pass the time. Nonetheless, being able to do charity work while we are young, while we are still full of energy, is a joy in itself,” said Yonga.
Keep Improving Herself
Since 2013, Yonga has been in the world of volunteerism for 8 years. There are countless things that she has learned and implemented. One of them is how she manages her emotions toward her children, which she learned through compassionate visits to orphanages.
Yonga admitted that she used to be a mother who got angry easily. Her first child was the one who felt how temperamental she was the most.
“I would lock my child in the bathroom whenever I got angry,” she said while laughing reminiscing about the past.
“While participating in Tzu Chi activities in orphanages, I often took my children with me. They saw that their mother was very friendly to other kids to the point of hugging them. Meanwhile, at home, if I was tired, well I would sometimes berate my kids. So, my child asked, ‘Mommy can be good to other kids, what about how you are to your own kids?’ It really got me thinking,” she continued while laughing.
Yuliati and Oei John shared stories about their affinity with Tzu Chi, the changes in their lives after becoming Tzu Chi volunteers, and the various responsibilities in volunteerism. They shared the stories at the Tzu Chi Year End Blessing 2019.
The reproach from her child silenced her. She admitted that what her child gave voice to was true. How could she be so gentle to others yet harsh toward her own children?
“Since then, [I have made up my mind that] any good deeds I do for others, I should be able to do the same for the people at home. The same rule applies for when I visit retirement homes – I could be kind to the old people there, I should also be kind to my own parents,” she said, trying to continue improving herself.
She also tries being more patient and kind toward her husband, Oei John, who is also a Tzu Chi volunteer. Before being volunteers, they often had arguments about work or other things. They argued too often that Yonga even questioned the use of making a lot of money if it created problems for their family.
“Since then, I said that we should do everything together so that both of us would understand each other. It was our deal. That was why I only wanted to join Tzu Chi in 2013 with him. It worked for us; thus, until now there has never been any obstacle because we both know and understand each other,” explained Yonga who is now hand in hand with her husband.
Share the Common Good for the Environment
Yonga feels that Tzu Chi has given colors in her life that can control her emotions, patience, and compassion within herself. With her being a volunteer, she admits that it is like she has restraints which are made of values of virtues.
“[It is] because the people around me, who are pretty near, would see that I am a member of the Tzu Chi family. If I do some vice, they would wonder, ‘how can a member of the Tzu Chi family do that’. What people remember is that I am a part of Tzu Chi. Therefore, it is good for me as I am able to control myself to act well,” said Yonga.
Yonga’s ability to act with propriety and good self-control is what enables her to get her neighborhood to participate in doing good deeds. She did not make too big of an activity, but she started by forming a recycling point in her house.
“Firstly, I reached out to those from the Catholic community because they were also concerned about environmental conservation, to which they immediately agreed. We started outreaching and distributing brochures. Previously, when there was a recycling truck passing by, many residents took part in handing over their recyclables. I then told them not to just collect recyclable materials, but to try to help sort them out,” said Yonga.
Since then, there have been over ten people who actively participate in the environmental conservation in Yonga’s neighborhood. They form a recycling point at their community center to make it easier to do the activities. Yonga’s sociable and down-to-earth attitude attracts neighbors to participate in the activities.
“The secret? We don’t need to pretend. We should just do what is and of course be the first to do it. Make an example. Don’t just talk without taking action. If there is a question, we just need to answer it happily. We should also be ready for them to depend on. For example, they have sorted out the recyclable materials in their homes, but there is not enough space to put the materials in, they could put the sorted out materials in my house,” explained Yonga, sharing her tips on how to successfully get her neighbors to participate in saving the environment.
Yonga also pays attention to the tools and items to sort recyclable materials. She provides everything that is needed so that anybody who comes to help sorting out recyclable materials can do so comfortably.
“I am glad that they welcome this activity,” said Yonga happily.
Taking Responsibility and Implementing Parents’ Teachings
Not only to herself, Yonga also introduces Tzu Chi to her neighbors. From that community, there are now dozens of people who actively participate in various activities such as environmental conservation and the pouring of Tzu Chi bamboo banks.
Since 2020, Yonga has been the Vice Chairperson of West He Qi 2. It is a new kind of responsibility for the 44 year old woman. She had never imagined that her dedication in Tzu Chi could lead her to receive a vast field of blessings. Although she was unconfident at first, she found strength in the support from other volunteers.
“I wasn’t confident because I didn’t think I was capable enough. However, Shijie Eli encouraged me and all of the other volunteers agreed to it. So, I just go with it. All of my strength comes from the support from all of the volunteer friends,” said Yonga.
Yonga herself admits that it is difficult to turn down people’s requests. To her, it is one of her weaknesses. She also always thinks long and hard and tries to put herself in others’ shoes before turning down their requests. Nonetheless, she keeps in her mind that good deeds must lead to goodness too.
“I teach my kids that way. So, of course I don’t have the heart to refuse doing good deeds. That’s also what my parents taught me,” she said while blushing.
Aside from sympathy, there is one more thing Yonga remembers most from her parents, namely the principles of simplicity. Even though her parents were wealthy, they advised her not to be arrogant and live extravagantly.
“My dad had a convection business; it was a pretty big factory. Even so, my mom taught her children not to feel like we’re the boss’ kids and become arrogant and extravagant. [We] should be down to earth. I am the seventh child in my family, so the clothes I had were passed down from my older siblings. School uniforms, everyday clothes [were all passed down], especially because there are 6 girls [in my family]. Well, our parents did buy us clothes sometimes, but we got good-to-wear clothes from our older brothers and sisters,” said this seventh child of eight siblings.
What Yonga’s parents implemented since she was young were in line with what she does when she is in Tzu Chi. It is like everything is inline. Love in the family, simplicity, sympathy, patience, and even the concept of environmental conservation, she got all of these in her family and Tzu Chi. Thus, there is no more doubt in choosing her path. On the contrary, her steps with the Tzu Chi family become stronger.
“What else should we wait for, especially if there is a chance to start. Just do it, grab all the chances there are,” Yonga said.
Writer: Metta Wulandari, Photographer: Arimami Suryo A., private doc.
Translator: Nila Silviana (Tzu Chi School)
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