13-year-old Jadon Yeo (first from left) is seen at the Charity Fair venue along with his mother, Erni Lim (second from left) and Aunt Yobin Yeo (first from right) to help out at the CNY goodies section. Second from right is volunteer Chong Yoke Ling. (Photo by Pua Poo Toong)
"It's very fulfilling, and I feel a sense of accomplishment!" exclaimed 13-year-old Jadon Yeo, who joined his mother, Erni Lim and Aunt Yobin Yeo to help out at Tzu Chi's Festive Charity Fair at the CNY goodies section.
Jadon Yeo's father, Yeo Yong Ming, had received Tzu Chi subsidies a year ago due to illness but tragically passed away three months ago. Chong Yoke Ling, a dedicated Tzu Chi volunteer who supported their family the past year, couldn't bear to see them in despair. Therefore, she decided to invite both the mother and son, along with the aunt, to participate and help out at the two-day Festive Charity Fair.
On 27 January 2024, the first day of the charity fair, Jadon Yeo's whole family followed Chong Yoke Ling to Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre to assist in counting the charity fair coupons. On the next day, the family arrived at the charity fair venue in the afternoon to promote CNY goodies at the designated section.
Jadon Yeo's mother, Erni Lim, is very grateful for Tzu Chi's companionship and care over the past year. After her husband passed away, the family found themselves in a challenging situation as their social and financial support had all been temporarily suspended. Fortunately, during this challenging period, Tzu Chi extended a helping hand in time and continued to subsidise the family's living expenses.
Erni Lim said that 76-year-old Chong Yoke Ling resembles a grandmother figure who consistently cares for and supports them. She also accompanied them to this Tzu Chi Festive Charity Fair so that they could give back to Tzu Chi. Erni Lim is very grateful that her family is given the opportunity to contribute to this charity fair.
Yobin Yeo used to have a very close relationship with her brother, Yeo Yong Ming. When her brother fell ill, Yobin Yeo resolutely gave up her job in Australia and returned to Singapore to stay by his side until he passed away. While working in Australia, she often did voluntary work. Yobin Yeo shared that Tzu Chi is like a "home", one that is heartwarming.
Yobin Yeo was pleased that her nephew Jadon Yeo could attend the charity fair to learn to contribute and interact with kind people performing good deeds. Moreover, Jadon Yeo was recently awarded the Seeds of Hope Award, which served as a great encouragement for him.
Volunteer Chong Yoke Ling said: "When we first visited them at their home, Jadon Yeo was a very quiet and shy boy, but now he has become more cheerful." She hopes that the seeds of kindness can be deeply planted in Jadon's heart and that in times to come, he can contribute back to society and become a good person.
Jadon Yeo's aunt, Yobin Yeo (middle), is also at the charity fair to help out. She often volunteered herself while working in Australia. (Photo by Alice Toh)
“Being able to do something is something that I am grateful for”, said Ms. Chung Faf while putting her palms together. Tzu Chi provided long-term financial support to her family until the children grew up and began working, allowing the family to gradually become self-sufficient.
The subsidy from Tzu Chi ceased two years ago, but the bond between the couple and Tzu Chi remains strong. Chung Faf and her husband, Goh Boo Huat, have never been absent from Tzu Chi’s various large-scale activities and the monthly Environmental Sustainability Day. The couple supported each other through thick and thin when their lives hit rock bottom. Now, they have become the best partners doing kind deeds together.
Chung Faf (right) and Goh Boo Huat (middle) are seen at the charity fair, and both of them contributed happily. (Photo by Ng Hock Soon)
Goh Boo Huat discovered that he had kidney problems two years ago. Although he is still undergoing treatment, his enthusiasm to serve and contribute remains undiminished. During this charity fair, not only did the couple participate for two consecutive days, but they also invited their neighbours to join them.
Swanny Widjaja, a volunteer who has been with them for eight years, shared that Chung Faf and her husband regularly invite friends to visit Tzu Chi’s Glow On Gallery. They aim to spread awareness about sustainability and inspire more people to take action to protect the earth. Being vegetarians for more than 30 years, the couple, encouraged by volunteers, have started to educate others about the benefits of a vegetarian diet.
Furthermore, Chung Faf and her husband contribute to the Bamboo Bank daily, sometimes filling multiple banks with their donations.
Swanny Widjaja recalled, "When counting the Bamboo banks, there were coins at first, but gradually there were banknotes and once there was a fifty-dollar note." Swanny Widjaja immediately asked Chung Faf if she was aware of the amount donated into the Bamboo Bank. Chung Faf affirmed that she was fully aware of it and that she wished to pass on this love to those in need. She was also grateful that she was able to become the person who can contribute and help others.
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