Relay of Compassion, used to be Helped, Now Helps

Journalist : Khusnul Khotimah, Photographer : Khusnul Khotimah, Widarsono

Ayen and Lulu visited Vita Vera Winarti's rented house in Muara Angke, West Jakarta, Tuesday 21 September 2021. Vita did not forget Ayen and Lulu, who used to accompany her when she lay helpless in the ICU.

After eleven years of not seeing each other, that afternoon became a reunion for Vita (34) and her family who had been helped by Tzu Chi, with Ayen and Yang Pit Lu, volunteers who accompanied them in the past.

"It's good to see them now in a different condition. In the past, Vita was still struggling, we couldn’t tell whether she could survive or not at that time. It's really tough. Her whole body was swollen that when I saw it, I was shocked… Now that they are happier, we are happy too,” said Yang Pit Lu, who is familiarly called Lulu.

Not only re-establishing a relationship that had been cut off due to loss of contact, Vita was also happy because it had been three months since she and her family became Tzu Chi donors.

"I've been helped by Tzu Chi. In the past, if there was no Tzu Chi, I might not even exist in this world," said Vita.

"No... It’s because of the karmic relationship between you and Tzu Chi, Vita..." Ayen interrupted.

“I feel like I have more money now. Instead of doing useless things, it's better for me to donate to help others," continued Vita.

It has been more than two years that Vita and her husband started selling smartphone accessories.

Vita's family's economic condition is better. Her husband, Ferry, owns an online shop that sells smartphone accessories that are sold in the marketplace. On average they managed to sell about 500 items a day. Ferry is very happy to see Ayen and Lulu again.

"We are happy and moved because in the past, they were the ones who helped us when we were in trouble. We really didn’t know anyone to ask for help. There was no BPJS. You know how much it cost to buy the medicine even just once. It was like, ‘what do we want to sell again?’ That's why my wife wants to be a Tzu Chi donor, of course I support it," said Ferry.

Lulu and Ayen were really touched by Vita's noble intentions. This is like a relay of compassion, where the fabric of compassion is unbroken, it even gets wider.

"With Vita's help, we can give to families in need," said Lulu.

“Seeing Vita’s family who are now more established in their business, I am very happy. From their success in their efforts, they still want to contribute," continued Ayen.

This condition is very different from eleven years ago. Vita's family almost sold their small house for Vita's medical expenses.

Between Life and Death

Vita was lying in the ICU at the end of December 2009. The assistance Vita received at that time was medical expenses for approximately three months.

Eleven years ago, Vita risked her life being pregnant with her third child. Her blood pressure is high, which was 230/170. Vita even got unconscious. The baby who had been conceived for seven months could not be saved. The only hope was to save Vita.

After the team of doctors succeeded in removing the fetus that was conceived by Vita, Vita's body was swollen, making it difficult to breathe. The doctor then put on a breathing apparatus. All blood vessels in Vita's body burst, her kidneys were also not functioning properly due to poisoning.

The father, Lo Wie Kin, as well as Ferry, Vita's husband, were confused about where else to get the money to pay for the medication worth millions of Rupiah. Therefore they could only buy medicine according to the amount of money they have.

In that confusion, a friend suggested Vita's father to ask Tzu Chi for help. Not to waste time, in the afternoon, Ayen and Lulu went to Lo Wie Kin's house for a survey and went to the hospital to see Vita's condition.

Ayen visited Vita again at her home shortly after she returned from the hospital.

In the ICU, an IV tube was attached to Vita's arm and another tube was inserted between her thighs. A half-inch plastic tube connected to a breathing machine was also attached to her mouth. The situation was really worrying. On that same night Ayen paid for the medicine that Wie Kin could not afford.

Almost every day Ayen and Lulu visited Vita and always paid for the medicine prescribed by the doctor. However, entering the second week, Vita's condition had not improved. Ayen then went to see the head doctor to ask whether there was still hope for a recovery for Vita. The doctor explained that the poison in Vita's kidneys was too high. Therefore Vita had to undergo dialysis.

After going through a meeting, Tzu Chi decided to help pay for Vita's dialysis. Lulu and Ayen immediately look for a hospital that has dialysis machine. After a day of searching, they finally found PGI Cikini Hospital. Soon they brought Vita there. The next day, Vita underwent dialysis. Afterwards, Vita's condition gradually improved. On the fifth day, Vita started to gain consciousness as her body returned to its normal size.

“At that time Vita was very young, while her second child was still very small. So we really hoped that Vita would get well. We consulted the doctor, Vita needed albumin every day, so of course we went to the hospital every day to buy the medicine to use immediately, "said Ayen.

Life Lessons from Vita’s Experience

Marselo and Joshua, Vita's children, grew up to be polite and smart children. The two of them showed the Tzu Chi Bulletin sheets which told about their mother's struggles in the past.

Many life lessons can be learned from Vita’s story. Among other things are about how much parents love their children and also that there is always a way out for every problem as long as you try your best.

“Every day her papa and mama are waiting in the ICU waiting room. They didn’t dare to go inside; they just peeked from the window. I felt sorry for them because every time they entered they would be given a hospital bill. That's parental love, it's really amazing," said Lulu.

In addition to Vita's parents, Lulu and Ayen also praised Ferry, who at a young age, 19 years old then, became a responsible husband. Ferry worked hard to earn money that he even went out of town. He could come home only once a week.

Vita received a donation receipt as a Tzu Chi donor.

"Children of that age usually only know how to spend money. At that time the doctor did not understand their condition. The doctor thought that her family was irresponsible because the prescription was not redeemed. He (her husband) said, ‘Ma’am, here is 400 thousand [Rupiah], I want to see what medicine I can buy for 400 thousand,'" Lulu recalls.

Lulu and Ayen then explained to the doctor that actually Vita's family was not irresponsible. They came to the hospital every day but did not dare to enter.

"They kept on getting the bills, right? Then they didn’t have money, even though they took the prescription, they could not redeem it. That’s why they only redeemed according however much money they had," said Lulu.

It was truly a memorable meeting for Vita, Ayen and Lulu.

Finally the doctor understood Vita's family’s situation and empathized with them. Vita herself did not really know the details of the incident at that time because she was in a coma. But his late father told him about that difficult time and also about how sincerely and quickly Tzu Chi helped.

"Papa said, 'Remember, if you are already successful, already have more money, remember that Tzu Chi used to help you. Ci Lulu and Ci Ayen came and managed things directly. So you have to remember this, you have to do a lot of good and charity'. Now papa is no longer in this world, so I want to do charity for my papa too so that my papa can be at ease, "said Vita.

Translator: Nila Silviana (Tzu Chi School)

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