Giving Care through Social Service

Head of Tzu Chi Sinar Mas Plantation West Kalimantan, Susanto Yang is leading the patient to enter the building where the examination takes place.

Nanga Suhaid is a village located in Suhaid Sub-district, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan. On May 4th, 2018, a total of 87 volunteers from Semitau Xie Li went to Nanga Suhaid Village, providing care to the villagers and surrounding areas with General Health Social Service.

At 08.00 WIB volunteers had gathered at Gedung Serba Guna (Multipurpose Building), where the social service were to be held. Together with doctors and pharmacists, volunteers took their positions according to the committee's direction to assist, guide and facilitate patients through the treatment process.

Patients were starting to come in one by one, either coming alone or arrived by bus, picked up by volunteers because of distance and difficult travel access. Until 15.00 WIB, there had been 379 treated patients.

Susanto Yang, head of Sinar Mas Plantation West Kalimantan (Left) with Farry Surya, Chairman of Semitau Xie Li is pouring Bamboo Banks together with the police and the local sub-district head.

Doctor Toto, a doctor volunteer who is doing the examination for the patient.

Mariam, an 81-year-old grandmother came with her daughter who had to help her walk because of leg pain. "I have been feeling pain in my knees for months, my gout is getting worse. Hopefully the prescription will be able to relieve this pain," she said.

In addition to General Health Social Service, on that occasion the pouring of Bamboo Bank and socialization regarding it to the community was also held. Volunteers invited the people present to care for each other by sharing love through Bamboo Bank donation.

"Helping each other is not seen by how much, but by their intention and desire to share love," Herman explained, inviting people to donate.

A volunteer carrying Grandma Mariam, one of the patients who has difficulties in walking.

Susanto Yang, as the head of Tzu Chi Sinar Mas Plantation West Kalimantan had also expressed his gratitude for this opportunity. "It is a joy for me to be able to provide care for the people here. We must continue this activity as a form of sharing kindness," he said.

What volunteers do through this Health Social Service activity is not just a form of care for others. Through this love-sharing activity, volunteers is also giving care to themselves. As Master Cheng Yen said, "Giving care to others is the same as giving care to oneself. Helping others also means helping oneself".

Translated by Illena Sevalona