As if Sowing Seeds on Fertile Fields

Yang Pit Lu (center) thanked volunteers who have been active in charity missions since Tzu Chi was established in Indonesia today.

Yang Pit Lu could not hold back her tears after giving her appreciation in the form of floral arrangements to 68 active senior volunteers in charity mission. She was truly moved. With a slightly restrained voice, Lulu – her nickname – was grateful to be in the middle of them, who had dedicated their time to run Tzu Chi Indonesia and sow love for a wider community. "It’s amazing to see how big of a family we are now," Lulu said, holding back emotion in front of 369 participants of Tzu Chi Charity Mission Gathering (9/12/18) who came from Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Cikarang and Tangerang.

"I want to say gan en to Rui Hua Shijie who invited me to this charity mission. I remember very well, in the past, Rui Hua Shijie liked to pick me up early in the morning around 6 o'clock. She drove her car and we went to the hospital together. Hui Tjhen Shijie, she was also my senior, who often accompanied me. I also see a lot of volunteers here, who I worked with in the charity mission. Gan en, Shixiong Shijie," continued Lulu, expressing her gratitude and thanks to the volunteers.

Twenty-five years of Tzu Chi’s presence in Indonesia, the first mission to start was charity mission. At that time in 1993, volunteers began to offer their assistance in orphanages, nursing homes, and gradually helped the areas on the outskirts of Jakarta. The seeds of love grew fertile and make the charity mission which is the root of Tzu Chi firmly planted. "This is a form of love for all of us. If I'm alone, there's no way I can do it. It has to be our strength together as a family," Lulu said, followed by the applause of other volunteers.

Charity Mission Volunteers Gathering invited senior volunteers at the charity mission, one of whom was Rui Hua who was still recovering from her illness.

Yang Pit Lu gives an appreciation in the form of a flower arrangement to 70 senior volunteers who have bequeathed a trace of love in the charity mission.

Passing on Love

Master Cheng Yen said that everyone is a living Sutra. Each of them has a story that can be learned and imitated. Not only the volunteers, but also the story of the aid receivers such as the story of Tan Jun Kiaw, Tzu Chi committee volunteer, who was once a recipient of assistance. Because of Anna Tukimin’s help, an active volunteer in Tzu Chi charity mission in Jelambar, Jun Kiaw felt a touch of love and the warmth of the family.

"My relationship with Tzu Chi started from my family who was the receiver of Tzu Chi help. But I’m really amazed by the amount of attention the volunteers had given. Plus my son's last message was for me to continue walking on this Bodhisattva journey. There is a good example from Anna Shijie. I walk on this journey until I become a volunteer committee," said Jun Kiaw.

Anna Tukimin (second from left) shared stories about her journey at Tzu Chi charity mission. She stressed that in addition to assistance, their guidance for the beneficiary families is very important.

Gathering of Charity Mission Volunteers was attended by 369 participants who came from Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Cikarang and Tangerang.

Until now, Ye Jiao – Anna Tukimin's nickname – is still very close to the beneficiaries, including Jun Kiaw. She often went with Jun Kiaw for a survey. "To the aid receivers, we must consider them as our own families," she said. She was one of the volunteers who shared her experience at the gathering held at Guo Yi Ting, 3rd Floor of Jing Si Hall.

"Handling cases in each of the respective region is actually convenient," Ye Jiao continued. "Because they are already close to us. From there we can shop while passing by their houses in the morning, we can stop by and visit. If we can't, telephone is another option. The point is to think of them as our brothers and sisters. We ask about their situation. If they’re healthy, then we gradually encourage them to take part in the activity so we can learn together," she added.

Joining the charity mission, Ye Jiao always remembers Master Cheng Yen's message that as volunteers, it is not enough to only provide assistance, there has to be guidance as well so that the lives of the beneficiaries are better. "Thank God if they become inspired and want to join Tzu Chi, so they will not only enjoy blessings but also create one," Ye Jiao said.

Until now, there have been 5 beneficiaries handled by Ye Jiao, who has also become volunteers. One of them has become a committee. There is one more beneficiary who has become a donor and raise 60 other people to donate to Tzu Chi.

Like what Lulu reminded at the beginning of the event that running a charity mission is not just a matter of helping others. But the most basic essence of helping others is helping yourself. This applies to anyone. "Through helping people, we can get a lot (benefit), hone our gratitude and love, develop wisdom, which indirectly brings changes to ourselves," said Lulu.

The Art of Enjoying Life

Lie San Ing (center) shared stories about how she can enjoy and be grateful for her life journey after she volunteered at Tzu Chi charity mission.

Different from the story of Ye Jiao, there is Lie San Ing, who this year turns 66 years old. For fourteen (14) years San Ing has joined as Tzu Chi volunteer. In her opinion, that is a new learning method, especially her focus on charity missions.

"Since I was little, I have felt how difficult life is. So when I took a case survey, I was immune," San Ing said. "It used to be so difficult, my family and I were confused about what to eat. If there is rice, there is no vegetable. If there are vegetables, you can't eat rice. My father is wise, he bought vermicelli for our family to eat," continued San Ing, recalling her childhood.

The hardships in her childhood made her grow into a rather stiff and hot-headed person. People who were close to her even call her a white tiger. "Yes, because I was very fierce. Short-tempered. But I didn't know since when in Tzu Chi, my volunteer friends instead said, 'you're too kind, Shijie'. I didn't realize that I had changed," said San Ing.

From the person who was once unmoved, San Ing was honed in the charity mission. "Of course now I can be grateful and realize my blessings," she said. "I am healthy. I have complete body," continued San Ing. That is why at this age, she is still active in Tzu Chi. She said, as long as she is still healthy, she would continue to run Tzu Chi.

Whereas if observed, volunteers who are members of Central He Qi live in areas far from the central. San Ing lives in Ciputat, South Tangerang. While Central He Qi office is in ITC Mangga Dua, Central Jakarta.

Wie Sioeng expressed her gratitude to senior volunteers who were present and shared their stories and happiness.

If there is a Tzu Chi activity in Mangga Dua, she will take the train at Sudimara Station, Ciputat, at around 06.35 WIB. From there she has to change trains 3 times, plus one more ride on public transportation. As for PIK Tzu Chi Center, she has to change using Transjakarta after arriving at Jakarta Kota Station.

"If people ask why not enjoy life in the old days? I will ask back, to what point can it be called enjoying life? Because even now I am enjoying life in my own way and it is truly joyful. I have many friends, I can train myself, grasping opportunities, creating blessings," said San Ing. "In Tzu Chi, I feel better, so why don't I just hold on to this," she added, smiling happily.

Strong Root Supports Fertile Tree

Seeing the happiness of senior and junior volunteers moved Wie Sioeng’s heart. She said that in fact this Tzu Chi Charity Mission Gathering event had been long planned, but it could only be done at the end of 2018. "Today I bring home the enthusiasm of the seniors as well as the young ones who have gathered with the same goal in mind, carrying out our charity mission," she said through a short message.

It is hoped that the volunteer line at Tzu Chi charity mission will extend so that more people can be saved. Charity mission is the root of Tzu Chi, if the roots are sturdy, it will be able to support a fertile tree.

As Coordinator of He Xin Tzu Chi Charity Mission, Wie Sioeng explained that this activity was a way to establish good relationships between charity volunteers from each community and with colleagues in Bakti Amal division. Not to forget for senior volunteers as well. "We invite all senior volunteers so they can see that up to the present, the charity mission that they had inherited to the young ones continued to the next generation," explained Wie Sioeng. "Then it is appropriate for us to give our appreciation to the seniors and gan en from our deepest hearts," she added.

Head of Tzu Chi Indonesia, Liu Su Mei, also said that every generation has their own time. But from time to time, what they do is still intertwined with each other. "For the younger generation towards seniors, let's respect each other. For seniors towards the younger generation, let's share our love to them," Liu Su Mei said.

"Actually, in carrying out the mission, doing Tzu Chi activities, there is no need to be too tense or strict, the important thing is that we do it sincerely. So let's share this responsibility together, do a charity mission, so that our roots may become stronger," she added.

Translated by Stefanny Doddy