“Falling down cannot stop me from going out to volunteer at 90 years old”

Although it is inevitable that her body is afflicted with illness as she ages, Lim Moi still lives with ease and carefreeness. (Photo by Tang Zou Cie)

When the 90-year-old elderly woman had a fall at home, the first person that she contacted was not the emergency services.

“Using my hands, I crawled backwards into the living room and made a call to my neighbour, asking her to help me pass the Tzu Chi Festive Charity Fair coupons to the Tzu Chi members who were waiting downstairs,” Lim Moi shared as she recalled the accident that happened in late 2023. At that time, she had been washing clothes, and while answering a phone call from one of the members, slipped on the soapy water and fell.  

Despite being in a dangerous situation, Lim Moi managed to keep her cool and prioritised completing her tasks from Tzu Chi before seeking help from volunteers to be sent to the hospital.

From bus captain to Tzu Chi volunteer: The resilience of women in the early days

Many know Lim Moi “shigu” (a respectful and affectionate term commonly used in Tzu Chi to address senior female volunteers) for her spirit of dedication that is not hindered by a fall, leaving the impression of her being gentle yet determined. Once she has set her heart and mind to something, she would quietly see it through until completion.

Lim Moi was born in the 1930s, and in her youth, she came to Singapore from Malaysia on her own and took up a job as a seamstress. Later on, she bravely challenged traditional norms by obtaining a bus captain’s license, as it was uncommon for females to take on such roles at that time. She then persevered in the field until her retirement at the age of 62. Her love for exploring the world brought her on many trips to China, including remote regions like Tibet and Qinghai. Furthermore, she even travelled to European countries like Norway in order to experience their unique customs and culture.

Lim Moi’s affinity with Tzu Chi stemmed from a book from Jing Si Publication, titled “Tests” in Chinese. The book illustrates the wise responses from Master Cheng Yen when Tzu Chi was faced with various trials and tribulations.

At that time, Lim Moi was not yet retired, and was greatly moved by the spirit of Master Cheng Yen’s “The Three No’s of the Spirit of Great Love”, where “There is no one I do not love, no one I do not trust, and no one I cannot forgive”. As such, she started devoting her time and energy to Tzu Chi. From the initial Tzu Chi Tzu Chi Cultural Mission Centre to the former Tzu Chi premise in Chinatown, Lim Moi would participate in Tzu Chi’s various activities whenever she was not caught up with work.

In Tzu Chi’s early days, Lim Moi (first from right) helped the food preparation team to prepare meals. (Photo provided by Lim Moi)

With a shy and quiet personality, Lim Moi does not speak much, but learns everything quietly. From the initial stage of knowing nothing about cooking vegetarian food, she was gradually able to take up the great responsibility of preparing meals as a volunteer independently. Environmental protection and meal preparation also became her biggest passions.

Despite slowing down as she ages, Lim Moi still finds ways to reach out her helping hand. Previously, she would ride her bicycle to areas like Toa Payoh and Bishan, where she would collect donations door to door. She also manages to establish good affinities with about 50 members in the process. Today, Lim Moi has passed on this responsibility to younger volunteers for it to be continued, yet a few of the members still insist on personally delivering the donations to her.

Lim Moi greatly cherishes the affinities established with people. During her time collecting donations, Lim Moi developed a deep friendship with Tzu Chi members Mr and Mrs Chua. Besides donating on a long-term basis, the couple also helps Lim Moi to top up on daily necessities whenever they do shopping for their own parents, extending their care as they would to a family member.

Dharma family members take turns to care for those living alone to make their lives safer and more comfortable 

When Lim Moi was admitted to hospital after her fall in 2023, it was the second time such an incident occurred. She exclaimed, “It is inevitable for falls to happen.”

At that time, when community volunteers Andrew Lim and Ong Hui Shen learnt about the incident, they rushed to her house immediately, assessed the situation, and then called for an ambulance. The doctors arranged for an emergency procedure to stabilise the bone fracture, but owing to Lim Moi’s low blood pressure, she was sent back to the ward after being wheeled to the operating theatre the first time round. She relied on pureed food to recover her body strength, and two days later, the operation was completed successfully. However, due to her low oxygen count, Lim Moi was warded in the Intensive Care Unit for a few days, with volunteers and friends coming to visit her in turns, bringing her supplements and words of encouragement.

After being discharged from hospital, Lim Moi started to adapt to her new life with the help of volunteers and caregivers. After a month, she was able to cook independently. In order to restore her health, Lim Moi designed her own diet plan, where she included high protein powder, rolled oats, kidney bean soup, and other nutritious foods in her five meals daily. During her check-up six months later, all her body indexes had returned to normal and she only had to take bone and calcium supplements.

In 2021, volunteer-in-charge of caring for Dharma family Susi Zhao (first from right), presented a Red Packet of Blessings and Wisdom, a care pack and consolation cash on behalf of Tzu Chi, while Lim Moi (third from right), who is an excellent cook, prepared desserts to welcome the Dharma family members. (Photo by Tang Zou Cie)

Recalling the first time she was hospitalised during the pandemic in 2020, Lim Moi woke up to find herself unable to get out of bed in the morning. After being hospitalised for examination, it was found that she had a bone fracture. She then went in and out of the hospital many times thereafter. From then on, community volunteers formed a care team to take turns to send Lim Moi for follow-up visits, help to clean up her house, purchase daily necessities and deliver food to her when she was unable to cook.

Despite not wanting to trouble others, Lim Moi understood that accepting help from others when in need is a form of wisdom. Once her health had improved slightly, she would give back through her actions, through sharing the fruits and vegetables that she grew, cooking delicious food or sharing healthy eating tips with volunteers and Dharma family members. Later, when she was in better health, she specially treated everyone to a banquet, where she prepared Hakka thunder tea rice, vegetarian ginger vinegar and her other specialties.

“I still hope to regain my muscle strength and go out independently again one day”, mused Lim Moi as she stroked her slender hands. She knows that her current weight of 40 kg is still a long way off from the standard 58 kg.

Once her health had improved, Lim Moi (front row, third from right) prepared several of her signature dishes to show her appreciation towards the volunteer Dharma family members who had cared for her. (Photo by Yang Wen Ting)

Taking on life’s challenges at one’s own pace

Lim Moi, who had lived on her own for many years, would attend the Wisdom at Dawn session every morning before the pandemic. These five years, apart from follow-up visits to the hospital or special invitations, she has barely left her one-bedroom apartment. Even so, her simple life has not caused a disconnect with the outside world.

She was unfamiliar with the usage of mobile phones and other electronic devices, but with the help of the volunteers, she learnt to connect to Da Ai TV to watch various programmes. She also listens to the news on the radio and reads the Tzu Chi Monthly diligently.

“With a large magnifying glass in my hand, I am able to read through the Tzu Chi Monthly slowly,” Lim Moi shared with a smile. Using the most primitive method, she is able to follow the pulse of Tzu Chi and continue walking the Bodhisattva path at her own pace.

The copies of Tzu Chi Monthly on Lim Moi’s bookshelf are her way of keeping up with the pulse of Tzu Chi. (Photo by Ng Hock Soon)

Lim Moi gradually recovered in 2024, but was faced with a new series of household-related challenges. The refrigerator that she recently bought broke down suddenly, and it took two repairs for the motor failure to be resolved. The floor tiles in the kitchen were bulging out due to cracking sounds, which impacted the bottom of the refrigerator. The volunteers promptly helped Lim Moi to contact the Housing and Development Board (HDB) to aid with repairs and helped to lay the floor with cardboards so that Lim Moi could move around safely.

After conducting further assessments the following day, HDB made arrangements for repair works, but all the furniture had to be removed. Moving shelves and a washing machine is already considered a challenge for the average person, let alone for an elderly who is living alone.

With foresight, Lim Moi, who was good with her hands, had already attached free-moving wheels onto her shelves and bulky furniture a few years ago, making the moving process easier and smoother. After the floor tiles were repaired, Lim Moi spent a few months tidying up her residence, sorting out and recycling unnecessary items before putting the furniture in place, allowing for a smoother flow of movement.

“I wish everyone happiness every day, and remember to eat pistachios (read as “happy nuts” in Chinese)!” When the volunteers came to visit Lim Moi during the Lunar New Year of the Snake, she prepared nuts for everyone, in a bid to spread joy to all.

“Everyone is very good to me, and I am truly grateful.” Over the years, the volunteers whom Lim Moi have met have treated her like a treasure, providing her with unwavering care. Lim Moi often feels grateful, and her words are often filled with gratitude. Being able to manage her life on her own at 90 years of age is something that Lim Moi feels very content about.

When it comes to life and death, Lim Moi has no fear. She calmly said, “After all, I have already experienced what life has to offer, I have played when I should have played, worked hard when I should have worked hard.” With a smile, Lim Moi reflected, “Getting to know Tzu Chi and the Master Cheng Yen has made walking this path of Tzu Chi very much worthwhile.”

Lim Moi has returned to the Jing Si Abode in Hualien, Taiwan, five times. On one occasion, during breakfast time, Master Cheng Yen walked past Lim Moi’s table and gently reminded her, “Do take good care of your health.” These simple yet intimate words warmed Lim Moi’s heart, forming a treasured memory in her heart.

Although it is inevitable that our bodies become afflicted with illnesses as we age, we can find consolation in the fact that life’s wisdom and the good affinities that we develop continue to grow. By planning our living arrangements with care, we can live our daily lives more comfortably, even if our movements may have slowed down, we would still be able to live freely and with ease.

There is an old saying that goes, “I wish to bring comfort to the elderly, to be faithful to my friends, and to cherish the young”. In Lim Moi’s case, even at 90 years of age, she is able to continue to live happily and open-mindedly, with ease and wisdom.

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