After working with Ng Kok Leong (second from right) for many years, Lian Bee Ngo (first from right) remembers and shares that Ng Kok Leong was very tolerant and sincere towards his partners and care recipients. Volunteers from the left are Chong Mong Zhuang and Sister Chan Sik Fun. (Photo by Lim Beng Chai)
Ng Kok Leong, a veteran Tzu Chi commissioner in Singapore, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2022, at 80, leaving behind his bereaved family and fellow volunteers who would miss him dearly. On the evening of April 13, relatives and friends rushed to offer their condolences at the Mount Vernon Sanctuary after receiving the news. Around 20 Tzu Chi volunteers rushed to recite Buddha’s name at his wake, and several of his close friends and relatives also came forward to share the memoir of Ng Kok Leong.
Life Begins at 70
"Life only begins at 70" is best used to describe veteran volunteer Ng Kok Leong.
Ng Kok Leong once participated in Tzu Chi activities in 2005 but did not continue after that. In 2009, he met his good friend Ko Bee Eng, a Tzu Chi volunteer. Under her invitation, Ng Kok Leong became a Tzu Chi volunteer when he was already 67 years old.
One Jing Si Aphorism reads: "It is never too late for a deep-rooted affinity to blossom. Do not worry over a distant journey as long as one finds the way." Although Ng Kok Leong was getting old, he was never the last because of his age. Instead, he moved forward even faster in the mission of charity so that he could help more people. In 2014, he was certified as a Tzu Chi commissioner at the age of 72 and vowed to be more diligent on the Tzu Chi path.
Volunteer Lian Chai Keow shared that during the period when Ng Kok Leong was certified, he was responsible for taking care of his 97-year-old mother, who was bedridden at home. At the same time, he was also working part-time. Despite being busy juggling between his work and family affairs, he was still courageous enough to seize the affinity to shoulder the heavy-duty responsibility of doing charity.
A few years after becoming certified, the increasing number of visiting cases in the southern district increased the burden on Ng Kok Leong's shoulders. There were too many people who needed help. Lian Chai Keow said that sometimes one day of charity home visit in a month was not enough, the number was so huge that it required three days to finish visiting all care recipients. But Ng Kok Leong contributed silently, never once complained and always did his best to complete his tasks.
Ng Kok Leong once said that the charity visits let him discover the value of life and realise how blessed he is through witnessing the hardships of others. As an old person himself, Ng Kok Leong still had to take care of his advanced aged mother. Despite so, he felt that other elderly people needed more care, so he was happy to do the visits no matter how tough it was. He hoped that the elderly could have confidence and hope in life and live a healthier and more comfortable life.
In May 2015, in order to let home-bound care recipients attend the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, Ng Kok Leong managed to invite three care recipients to participate in the mini Buddha bathing ceremony. Ng Kok Leong and four other volunteers brought along small wooden tables, tablecloths, glass bowls, a lucite Buddha statue, flowers, etc. to deliver Buddha’s blessing to each and every family, bringing Dharma joy and hope to the care recipients.
Ng Kok Leong (right), Judy Lo (left) together with three other volunteers are accompanying an elderly care recipient in paying respect to Buddha during a mini Buddha Bathing Ceremony at the care recipient’s home in 2015. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Whenever Ng Kok Leong had the time, he would also participate in other community activities actively and diligently as he never slacked. His wife Ong Siew Wan, who is in charge of Tzu Chi’s environmental protection mission had the same teacher and shared the same interests and ambitions as him. Together, they walked hand in the hand on the Bodhisattva path.
Lian Bee Ngo is a gentle and kind volunteer who worked with Ng Kok Leong for many years. She said that Ng Kok Leong was soft-spoken, humble, and courteous when dealing with people. Ng Kok Leong was also a very responsible person. He was very tolerant toward new volunteers in charge of home visits, and even the care recipients were touched by his warmth.
Lian Bee Ngo further shared: "I remember there was once when Brother Kok Leong was unable to visit a care recipient who was a Malay woman as he had to attend to some personal matters. When we entered the care recipient’s home, we were asked: “Why that sweet sweet uncle never come?"
After Ng Kok Leong was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in 2017, he underwent 41 sessions of electrotherapy, which weakened his body. As a result, the cases under his charge had to be taken over by his wife Ong Siew Wan. After the outbreak of the pandemic, Ng Kok Leong was unable to participate in any activities, and his body weakened further. He often felt breathless and his voice became feeble.
Nobody escapes the natural law of birth, ageing, falling sick and dying. On April 11, 2022, Ng Kok Leong passed away peacefully at the age of 80. Team Leader Chan Sik Fun accompanied and assisted Ong Siew Wan in arranging the funeral. Everyone gave their blessings and sincerely wished that Brother Ng Kok Leong would be reborn soon and continue to walk on the Bodhisattva path.
Tzu Chi volunteers take the initiative to go on shifts to recite Buddha’s name for Ng Kok Leong on the evening of April 13, 2022. (Photo by Quah Chin Hin)
Ng Kok Leong once said that those who can help others are the most blessed. Although he joined Tzu Chi at the age of 67, he did not waste his time and life. Instead, he spent his remaining lifetime volunteering with Tzu Chi and seized every opportunity to give care and encouragement to care recipients and set an excellent example for other volunteers.
On the morning of April 14, the day of the funeral, Ong Siew Wan, with her son and daughter, Ng Eng Seng and Ng Khong Bee, reluctantly sent off Ng Kok Leong in the companionship of volunteers. Ng Kok Leong had a great life, and his exemplary spirit will remain in everyone's heart forever.
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