On 30 April 2023, many Malay care recipients arrive at Jing Si Hall to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Everyone exchanges blessings and encourages each other, creating a warm atmosphere at the scene. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
"Selamat Hari Raya!"
Two hosts dressed in traditional Malay attire on stage greeted and wished all the guests a happy celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) holds the Hari Raya Celebration annually to celebrate the festive season and distribute aid materials to Malay care recipients every year. However, the celebration had been held online for the past three years due to the pandemic. On 30 April 2023, the weekend after Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Tzu Chi volunteers held the Hari Raya celebration event at Jing Si Hall and invited their Malay care recipients to celebrate the festival together.
The event was set up in an open banquet style. Numerous long tables were arranged in the hall and adorned with delicious Malay vegetarian dishes to let the guests feel homey. There were also various performances, such as Malay songs, Malay dances, and magic shows, which added to the festive ambiance of the event.
There was a special performance by a family of five, consisting of a couple and their three special needs daughters. Despite the predicament, the parents remained optimistic and faced life with positivity. Every weekend, the family would publically perform at Pasir Ris Beach. Inspired by their optimism and persistence, Tzu Chi specially invited them to spread joy at the event, inspiring everyone present with their positive spirit.
A special performance by a family of five, consisting of a couple and their three daughters, all of whom have special needs. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
The numerous long tables adorned with delicious Malay vegetarian dishes and the performances are prepared to make the care recipients feel at home. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
Regaining independence after overcoming adversity
Having received care from Tzu Chi for ten years, Muhd DzulKilli, a 37-year-old professional performer, gave back to society through his singing. It became a beautiful sight during this year's Hari Raya Celebration event.
Knowing that Tzu Chi holds an annual Hari Raya Celebration event, Muhd DzulKilli took the initiative to contact Tzu Chi and offered to bring joy to his fellow Malays through song and dance.
Muhd DzulKilli performed two Malay songs, one of them being "Selamat Hari Raya". He led the entire crowd to sing along, creating a lively environment. Additionally, he invited a young couple from the audience who were Tzu Chi care recipients to join him on stage for a song and presented them with gifts he prepared, adding a lot of warmth and affection to the celebration.
After singing several Malay songs, Muhd DzulKilli took out a booklet of Jing Si Aphorism from his pocket and read out one of the sentences: "When we view the world from a different perspective, the world becomes vast and wide. If we shift our perspective in everything we do, we will feel at ease with everything and everyone.”
He explained, "In times of great stress, I would read this booklet to encourage myself not to give up."
He also encouraged the care recipients at the event not to give up on themselves and strive to give back to society and help others, just like him.
After the performance, Muhd DzulKilli takes out a booklet of Jing Si Aphorism and reads out one of the sentences: “When we view the world from a different perspective, the world becomes vast and wide. If we shift our perspective in everything we do, we will feel at ease with everything and everyone.” (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
DzulKilli has known Tzu Chi for many years. While serving his sentence in November 2010, he received financial assistance from Tzu Chi for his medical expenses. Given his earlier alcohol consumption and bad dietary habits, he suffered liver and renal problems after being released from prison. However, Tzu Chi did not give up on him and continued supporting him by covering a portion of his living expenses and medication costs. Tzu Chi volunteers visited him at his home every month, which provided him with great warmth and support.
During the interview, he said, "Tzu Chi volunteers came to my home every month to show their concern for me, especially when I was under tremendous life pressure. I am very grateful."
Now employed, DzulKilli can support himself and has stopped receiving assistance from Tzu Chi since 2021. He came to the event with his fiancée this time to express his gratitude for Tzu Chi’s assistance over the years that has enabled him to repay Tzu Chi’s kindness through his performances and also show care and help others in need at the same time.
The fantastic performances and traditional Malay dance have added to the festive atmosphere. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
Feeling grateful for the timely help received when in urgent need of dialysis
During the sharing session, Ahmad (pseudonym) tearfully said, "I am grateful to Tzu Chi for helping and inspiring me during my difficult times, allowing me to face my illness bravely!" Earlier this year, Ahmad was diagnosed with the need for kidney dialysis. The news made him feel anxious and he even contemplated suicide. His wife resolutely quit her job to accompany him through this challenging period upon learning about his condition.
Due to the need for dialysis, the couple could not work to afford the monthly dialysis expenses. Fortunately, the hospital referred their case to Tzu Chi. After his case was approved, Tzu Chi started providing financial assistance to subsidise Ahmad's dialysis expenses. As Ahmad had limited mobility and required a wheelchair, and his body became weaker after each dialysis session, his wife had to shuttle him to and from the dialysis centre three days a week.
During the gratitude segment of the event, Ahmad personally wrote his gratitude to his wife. Guided by the emcee, he publicly expressed his appreciation to his wife, which moved her to tears. The couple repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Tzu Chi for the help they received during their difficult times, enabling them to overcome their challenges smoothly.
Finding back hope by helping others
In the middle of last year, Rafidah (pseudonym) suddenly lost her husband, plunging her into unbearable grief. She lost her appetite, and her weight dropped from over 100 kilograms to 85 kilograms. Despite the doctor's recommendation to drink three bottles of formula milk daily, she only managed to drink one bottle at most. Every time Tzu Chi volunteers visited her, Rafidah would be in tears and unable to sit for more than five minutes without feeling dizzy and needing to lie down.
In such circumstances, volunteer Chua Wee Peng consistently cared for her, listened to her sorrows, and provided timely encouragement. Rafidah expressed her gratitude, saying, "Mr Chua often called to check on me and told me to exercise, to eat, and not to give up."
Chua Wee Peng's care made Rafidah feel warmed and encouraged. Gradually, she started regaining confidence in life. At this time, she received news of the passing of her friend's mother. She decided to be there for her friend to offer comfort and support as she felt the happiness brought by companionship.
Witnessing the suffering of others and realizing that she was needed prompted Rafidah to regain her strength and led to both her physical and mental health improving significantly.
In the process of helping her friend, Rafidah realizes that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" because she not only helped her friend but also herself. (Photo by Chai Yu Leong)
Now that her health has improved, and her body weight has increased. She is more capable of taking care of herself and reducing her intake of formula milk.
Having regained health and happiness, Rafidah turned her gratitude into words and wrote a gratitude card as the event nears its end. It read, "Mr Chua, I am grateful for your continuous support and encouragement that have helped me to gradually recover!"
Master Cheng Yen once mentioned in the "Life Wisdom" Dharma-sharing session that a poor person can possess the spirit of helping others, and we should not underestimate the power of small acts. The words deeply touched Rafidah's heart, and she started donating to the bamboo coin bank to give rise to kind thoughts every day. By doing so, she not only helps others but also brings herself more happiness and fulfillment.
After the event, many care recipients take home a bamboo coin bank to learn to send kind thoughts every day and help others. (Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
Over the years, the Tzu Chi Hari Raya Celebration event has taken various forms and formats, but what is truly remarkable is the unwavering dedication, care, and respect shown by the volunteers. Besides providing material support to the care recipients, they also bring warmth and love to their hearts to help them overcome the difficult period in their lives. In addition, the care recipients also accumulate their share of compassion and transform from being recipients to becoming givers - they have extended their helping hands to more people in need.
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