Budi Salim who has a big soul

In 2006, Budi Salim was only 7 years old, but at that time he developed a benign tumor in his jaw and the doctor said that he would have to operate up to three times. But Budi's family did not have the money for the operation. Until one day a neighbor suggested that he apply for aid assistance to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation of Indonesia.

Now Budi has recovered and can smile again. After recovering, he also contributed to help others in need. After school he trades cakes, and part of the income from selling he puts into a bamboo piggy bank. He said that in the past he was helped, so now he wants to help other people. The father also collects recycled waste to give to Tzu Chi. Although still small, Budi has a big heart. He has a great sense of gratitude and he is also willing to contribute to helping others who are more in need.

Sofyan Reaching His Dreams

At the age of 4, Sofyan began to get sick often. In fact, he often has seizures due to fever or nosebleeds for no reason. It wasn't until he was 8 years old that after undergoing a complete examination it was discovered that there was a tumor growing behind Sofyan's right eye. When Sofyan and his mother came to a hospital to seek information about medical assistance, it was there that Sofyan met Tzu Chi volunteers who often came to the hospital to take care of Tzu Chi special treatment assistance patients. From that meeting, Sofyan was advised to come to the Tzu Chi health service on March 27, 2004. It was through an examination carried out by a Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) doctor from Taiwan that Sofyan was said to be suffering from fibrous dysplasia, which means a tumor is growing behind his right eye. The TIMA doctor also recommended Sofyan to be operated on in Taiwan.

Finally, on April 25, 2004, Sofyan left for Taiwan. Even though he had to undergo a series of surgery to remove the tumor for 23 hours, Sofyan never complained. And after five months of treatment in Taiwan, Sofyan and his father returned to Indonesia with a number of stories about the warmth of Tzu Chi volunteers in Taiwan. However, Sofyan kept a worry in his heart that the tumor would be able to grow. I could only give up when the team of doctors said the tumor on my face could continue to grow. But I have faith in God and believe that God will provide the best way for me, said Sofyan. So when the tumor grew again, Sofyan underwent another operation in Taiwan. Until 2012, Sofyan had undergone 3 treatments to Taiwan.

Sofyan is now 23 years old (2012) and has grown into a grown man. Although the operation could not restore Sofyan's eyesight, he still had high hopes of becoming a useful person in society. Since the decline in his vision began to occur, Sofyan immediately joined the Mitra Netra Foundation on the advice of Tzu Chi volunteers. It is in this foundation that Sofyan's spirit and ideals are increasingly driven. Sofyan is currently continuing his education at the Faculty of Counseling Guidance, Indraprasta University. Here Sofyan again plans his future. Sofyan didn't look back sadly, only looked forward with hope. In this faculty I can still help others and become a counselor, he said.

To give his contribution to many people, in the midst of his busy schedule of lectures, courses, and trading, Sofyan also took time with Tzu Chi volunteers to entertain the patients at RSKB hospital. Sofyan usually entertains the patients by donating several songs accompanied by guitar that he plays himself. This sincerity makes Sofyan often invited by Tzu Chi volunteers to participate in various activities. Finally, from all that he has done with the volunteers at Tzu Chi, Sofyan hopes that everyone will understand that behind a person's shortcomings there will be advantages and behind difficulties there will be a way. Life should be celebrated and lived with passion. Never give up, Jia You, said Sofyan.

Love Visit to the Orphanage

A happy life is a life full of meaning. Everyone has a different life, a different path, a different meaning. There are those who are happy with being the class champion, there are those who are happy to get a promotion in their work, there are also those who are happy by serving others. Master Cheng Yen is a teacher who always teaches his students and volunteers to achieve the goal of happiness by serving others.

In its Four main missions, Tzu Chi is built on the foundation of the Charitable Mission, where volunteers serve the recipients of assistance, both case patients and scholarship foster children. The main service is to provide assistance according to their needs, for example, care patients are given assistance according to a survey conducted previously. Some need surgery, some need additional nutrition, some need monthly living expenses. After being surveyed, patients were not only given material assistance. Every month, the volunteers always gather each member of their community volunteers, as well as new volunteers to jointly pay attention through love visits. Thus, the patient's family who is in distress can lighten the burden of his heart.

Visit to the Nursing Home

Family should be the main place to get warmth. But it's really bitter for the elderly who live in nursing homes. At an age that is no longer productive, they are separated from their families. Tzu Chi first started a compassionate visit to the nursing home on April 29, 1994. Tzu Chi volunteers visited the Wisma Mulia Nursing Home, Daya Wanita Foundation (Kowani) on Jl Hadian No. 16 Jelambar, Grogol, West Jakarta. Since then they began to regularly visit the nursing home to pay attention to the elderly, donate food and daily necessities. Volunteers fill the emptiness of the elderly by cutting hair, clipping nails, bathing, and conversing with them. This visit is also to teach the children to wholeheartedly look after and care for their parents. On March 23, 2012, at the Wisma Sahabat Baru Nursing Home, West Jakarta, Tzu Chi volunteers comforted a grandmother with the care of a parent. Tzu Chi volunteers often carry out similar love visits to various nursing homes in their community.

Visit to the Orphanage

Children are the hope of the future. They are the seeds that will continue the path of a nation. Tzu Chi people were also present to visit children in various orphanages to encourage them and teach them good manners, so that in the future the children who live there can become bright future generations. Sunday, April 24, 2011, Tzu Chi volunteers paid a love visit to the Putra Utama 6 Children's Orphanage (PSAA), Cengkareng, West Jakarta. In this activity, Tzu Chi volunteers give attention and motivation to children who really miss love and care like parents.

Visit to the Leprosy Home

Helplessness afflicts people who live in leprosy homes. For years they were ostracized by society for fear of contracting a terrible disease that caused one limb to be amputated. Not infrequently they are ignored by society, even by their families, put in shelters and forgotten. Exclusion did not cure them. Instead it only makes them feel inferior, ashamed, and lonely. Tzu Chi teaches compassion without distinction, therefore, Tzu Chi volunteers provide assistance and attention to residents of the Dr. Sitanal, Leprosy Home in Tangerang since January 2002. During their visits, the volunteers invite them to sing and have fun, sharing a smile on their faces.

In 2005, the volunteers of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation in Surabaya routinely visited and entertained everyone in the settlements built by the Surabaya Regional Government, which is a gathering place for former leprosy sufferers who have been declared cured by the hospital. The warmth of the Tzu Chi people is able to comfort the lepers who have recovered but cannot return to this society. Not infrequently tears rolled down their cheeks, washed away by the sincerity of the volunteers who touched their deepest hearts.