Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore) launched a fundraising project with a goal to raise S$500,000 to support Malaysia Tzu Chi’s COVID-19 relief programme. (Screenshot by Tang Zou Cie)
The more contagious Delta variant struck in 2021. Singapore, where the pandemic was gradually coming under control, has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases since May. Fortunately, there is a robust medical ecosystem and a high vaccination rate of over 80% in the country, so most people who are infected have shown mild or no symptoms and are able to recover from the infection.
However, just across the Causeway in Malaysia, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to be a threat. The number of confirmed cases remained high. Although the vaccination rate had accelerated, there were still many severe cases and the situation was critical. As Singapore and Malaysia are neighbours who are highly dependent on each other, the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Organization (Singapore) launched a fundraising project in mid-July with a goal to raise S$500,000 to support Malaysia Tzu Chi’s COVID-19 relief programme.
The fundraising permit was approved on 5 Aug, and the Malaysia Tzu Chi COVID-19 Relief Works programme, "Stand in Solidarity with Malaysia to Fight COVID-19", went live officially on 8 Aug, allowing members of the public to donate money via online platforms, bank transfers, cheques, cash or other ways to show their compassion and care. Within just one week, the foundation managed to achieve its initial fundraising goal, thanks to Singapore being a loving nation.
“When a disaster strikes, help will come from all directions.”
“Malaysia is not just a neighbour but our family!”
“We are one big family.”
Some of these encouraging messages were left by donors on the donation platform as they cheer for Malaysia wholeheartedly and wish everyone good health and safety.
The public left warm and encouraging messages on the Give.Asia fundraising platform. (Screenshot by Tang Zou Cie)
Turn worries into blessings
Other than raising funds through various platforms, a group of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) members also held an online programme called “In Good Health” and invited everyone to gather online. The objective is not just to raise funds for Malaysia but also to share healthcare messages to encourage everyone to stay physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic.
The live broadcast of "In Good Health" commenced on 5 Sep 2021 afternoon with a mooncake making session. Tzu Chi volunteer, Jian Xiang Yun, taught everyone how to make oil-free and low-cholesterol vegetarian mooncakes using healthy Jing Si products – five-grain flour, oats, sesame flour, mallow flour and other ingredients.
Participants hold up their Zen paintings for photo shooting. (Screenshot by Elaine Saw)
In the following “mind yoga” session, the teacher requested everyone to take out their pencils, black pens and paper, and to use lines and structured patterns to create a drawing based on the theme ‘The Lost Corner’. When there is a loss, there will be a gain. In this imperfect life, we should try to find our complete selves and learn to accept the way we are. With the participants’ minds at ease, it was as though their soul was practising yoga with every stroke that they drew – it was a relaxed and happy feeling. The final class was fitness yoga. The teacher demonstrated moves before the camera and guided everyone to stretch their muscles and sweat them out. The three enriching classes not only appealed to the participants’ compassion but also benefited everyone physically and mentally.
One of the organizers, Dr Tan Chun Yeal commented that the pandemic has attacked wave after wave and Malaysians are facing a worsening situation. Dr Tan who hails from Malaysia, was also concerned about the situation in his hometown. Instead of watching the number of confirmed cases every day, he opined that people might as well consider how we may help. Dr Tan shared that he agreed readily when he was invited to join the working team. “It is a responsibility that I should bear. Due to the pandemic control measures, the preparation was challenging and required the coordination and sacrifice of many people, but for the sake of our hometown, it was all worth it.”
Fundraising for charity goes hand in hand with promoting vegetarianism
Another activity to raise funds for Malaysia was the Jing Si cuisine tasting workshop conducted by Jing Si Books and Café in Yishun. Other than donating the proceeds to Tzu Chi Malaysia, the session introduced simple and easy-to-prepare plant-based dishes to promote vegetarianism and plant-based diet in the hope that everyone will respect life and eat less meat to slow down global warming. Coupled with exercising, the diet will be beneficial to our health.
(Photo by Ng Sher Lin)
Chef Paul Ng Chin Aun (pictured above) used Tzu Chi Jing Si products to make simple and tasty Italian-style plant-based dishes. The delicate plating made the food look more appealing, delicious and fragrant. Teh Soo Peng, manager of Jing Si Books and Café, said that Chef Paul got to know of Jing Si Books and Café through Facebook and took the initiative to sign up as a volunteer. Coincidentally, it happened when Tzu Chi was planning to raise funds for Malaysia, and so, they decided to prepare for the event together. “Chef Paul saw it as an opportunity to promote vegetarianism through his culinary skills. And being a Malaysian, he felt that this is a meaningful way to give back to his hometown.”
“My favourite segment is making vegetarian caviar. The caviar has a beautiful hue. After chatting with my classmates, we came up with different ideas for the dish. We felt so close interacting with one another.” Jing Si Books and Café volunteer Ling Yu Qing said the virus has been spreading for almost two years and her impetuous mind has gradually settled down. However, looking at countries that are in a relatively more severe situation, she said: “If a vegetarian diet could be exchanged for world peace and help others feel more at ease, I will go for it!”
Ling Yu Qing (centre) and her “classmates” at the same table happily showing the dish they have learnt for the day (Photo by Ng Sher Lin)
Chen Pei Jun is a nearby resident who moved from Malaysia to Singapore many years ago after getting married. Being a housewife, she has a relatively small circle of contacts and ever since the pandemic started, she has been communicating with fewer people. After attending the class at Jing Si Books and Café on this day, Chen Pei Jun discovered the benefits and various ways of cooking plant-based dishes. She has decided that she would cook at least one plant-based meal a day for her family upon reaching home. “The pandemic has locked me up for so long that I have forgotten how to make friends. I am so happy today that I had the chance to chat with others while I make a little contribution to my country!”
Kong Sin Yee, an employee of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore), is an advocate of vegetarianism. She often shares tips on vegetable dishes and urges everyone to be a vegetarian. As a Malaysian, she is also worried about her family back in her hometown. She is warmed by Tzu Chi Singapore’s spirit of mobilising all members to raise funds for Malaysia. Due to the raging pandemic, Kong Sin Yee has not returned to her hometown for a year and a half. She hopes that the situation could be alleviated through the promotion of vegetarianism, education, and individual spiritual purification. Most of all, she hopes to be reunited with her family soon.
Master Cheng Yen once said, “All on earth are one family. We must love one another when there is peace and help one another when there is a disaster.” Although what a person can do is limited, if we combine what we have, grains of rice can fill baskets too. Drops of water will eventually form a river – doing a good deed and helping others in need should start from this very moment.
The Stand in Solidarity with Malaysia to Fight COVID-19 fundraising project which ended on 9 Oct had achieved 200% of its goal. The donation will be handed to Tzu Chi Malaysia to brighten hope for the people struggling in the country.
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