(Photo Willy Ang)
Within the cramped and tiny flat, the interior was messy, and a stench could be detected. Numerous unsettled bills were seen scattered on the floor. Stepping into the simulated house felt like entering another world.
From January 6th to 7th, 2024, Tzu Chi Merit (Singapore) held the Year End Blessings Ceremony at Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre. The Four Missions of Tzu Chi Foundation set up different exhibits at the event venue. Among them, Tzu Chi’s Mission of Charity group arranged an exhibit that replicated the one-room flat of a Tzu Chi care recipient, providing participants with a glimpse into the experience of living in an improvised environment. The participants got to experience the discomfort of staying in such an environment, and observed how Tzu Chi volunteers assisted and accompanied these families who were living through the cracks.
(Photo by Willy Ang)
The Charity Exhibition Zone comprised three sections. Alongside the exhibit replicating the one-room flat of Tzu Chi’s care recipient, there was a "Renal Care" section, depicting the reality of life for renal patients, and a section titled “When Seeds of Hope Bloom” which explained about Tzu Chi’s Seeds of Hope Programme. Each exhibition section featured volunteers, explanatory posters, and physical objects on display.
(Photo by Willy Ang)
Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) will soon open its first community dialysis centre. The "Renal Care" exhibit offered an immersive experience by showcasing real-life medical equipment used during dialysis, including the dialysis machine, reclining chairs, needles, and wheelchairs. This allowed the public to better understand renal patients' experiences during treatment and in their daily lives. Volunteers also pointed out to the visitors that six new cases of kidney failure are diagnosed daily in Singapore, which is an alarming rate.
(Photo by Lee Lang Cheng)
(Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
Upon stepping into the brightly-lit exhibition zone, visitors were greeted by a light green dialysis reclining chair. The natural wooden pattern of the furniture created a calm ambience. There were also "Renal Care Packs" specially prepared for dialysis patients. All these thoughtful people-oriented details were aimed at enhancing the comfort of the renal dialysis experience for patients, keeping them warm at heart.
(Photo by Chong Mong Zhuang)
As one entered the “When Seeds of Hope Bloom” section, participants gained insight into the numerous challenges children of care recipients face. Many of them have to cope with having sick family members at home or family issues, making it harder for them to focus on their studies.
Tzu Chi volunteers entered the homes of these families not only to provide financial aid but also to show care and concern towards the family. They would conduct detailed assessments of the care recipients to better understand how Tzu Chi could assist them further. They would also take into consideration the health condition of the family members so that the children could concentrate on their academics and transform the fate of their family when they grow up.
(Photo by Bong Kian Hin)
"Tzu Chi does not supply them with food such as instant noodles and biscuits, but food with good nutritional value." Satya and his wife, P. Sainikhita, were deeply moved after getting to know about the Seeds of Hope Programme, which provides assistance to low-income families regardless of their race and religion. As such, children from these families are afforded improved educational opportunities, giving them the opportunity to alter the fate of their family's future.
（Photo by Willy Ang）
Satya and Sainikhita came to this exhibition under the invitation of their neighbour, He Qiu Feng. Three months earlier, while He Qiu Feng was entering the lift with his bicycle, he encountered a Tzu Chi volunteer doing the same. They then arranged to meet over the weekend to cycle around the neighbourhood. He Qiu Feng also invited Satya and Sainikhita who came from India to the Year End Blessing Ceremony with him and accompanied them throughout the visit. The couple spent approximately three hours exploring the exhibition and were amazed by Tzu Chi's work. After learning about the "Bamboo Bank Era," they promptly obtained a Bamboo bank and expressed their interest in volunteering with Tzu Chi.
Inside the simulated one-room flat exhibit, Satya (right) and his wife P. Sainikhita (left) patiently listen to the explanation given by a volunteer. (Photo by Willy Ang)
Staff members from the Charity Development Department, Lee Yi Xuan and Chen Pei Chi were in charge of the Charity Exhibition Zone. After receiving this important task in mid-November last year, Lee Yi Xuan explained that they were only given one and a half months to prepare for this exhibition. She expressed that she was slightly worried as she lacked such experience. Fortunately, during the preparation phase, the Charity Development Department was able to mobilize Tzu Chi volunteers from the community and seek valuable advice from experienced volunteers. They looked into every detail of the exhibit, including making arrangements to display a real dialysis machine and making logistic arrangements to transport these equipment. Lee Yi Xuan was grateful for the sincere contribution of each volunteer, who came forward willingly to offer assistance, thus making the Charity Exhibition Zone a huge success.
The other staff member in charge, Chen Pei Chi, shared that she initially thought the explanation posters would pose the biggest challenge. Fortunately, they managed to find and render the help of volunteer Lian Bee Ngo, who had extensive design experience. Lian Bee Ngo efficiently completed the design and layout of the signage in a remarkably short time frame and successfully managed printing arrangements. Chen Pei Chi said that she initially thought that setting up an exhibition would not be part of her job scope, but after working and collaborating with everyone who shared the same goal, she felt very motivated. Most importantly, she mentioned that through this opportunity, she could forge good karmic affinities with more than a thousand members of the public. Hence, she felt that it was a very meaningful experience for her.
During the exhibition period, staff Chen Pei Chi is seen explaining the exhibit to the public. (Photo by Fong Kwai Kin)
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