Caring in Chinatown
SINGAPORE - Niu Chi Sui is
the name of Singapore's Chinatown.The area thrives with immigrants
and is located Southwest of the Singapore River. 
Once,
it was a booming business center, but economic changes reversed
its prosperity, and it is now known only as a historical and
cultural region under protection of the Singaporean government.
Tzu Chi volunteers have assisted this aging
community by holding special events and activities every month.
Each time, over 300 residents have attended. The visits have
taken place over the past ten years and have built strong
bonds between volunteers and residents.
The power of good company
Mrs. Chen is a resident who had an accidental
fall last year that broke her thigh bone. Though she is now
confined to a wheelchair, and her health is worsening, Mrs.
Chen still never fails to attend Tzu Chi events with the help
of her family. She owes that the help Tzu Chi has given her
for the past ten years has remained strong in her memory.
One of the Tzu Chi volunteers expressed, "She would hide
her keys in her pocket and lock the door, because she wanted
us to stay here for longer."
Mrs. Huang is also a resident who lives
alone. She would often tell Tzu Chi volunteers about her relatives
in China and Hong Kong, whom she misses. However, Mrs. Huang
doesn't speak Mandarin, and Tzu Chi volunteers don't speak
Cantonese! Language barrier notwithstanding, they have become
important to each other and will continue their mutual caring.
Together, the volunteers and the residents
have created warm memories of love and joy.
