Dedicated Recyclers
MALAYSIA - To most
people, collecting trash is not an activity that they would
broadcast to the world, but 73-year-old Chen Zhuo Tang and
62-year-old Wang Hsiang Lan do it proudly. They wake up early
every morning and begin their day by sorting newspaper, cans,
and bottles for recycling. Chen would sweep the streets and
alleys on his bicycle looking for recyclables. Wang, who has
cerebral palsy, would ask as many neighbors for recyclables
as she could.
One of their neighbors expressed, "Grandma
Wang and I are good friends. She would often tell me when
Tzu Chi volunteers were coming the next day so I could give
her the newspaper, and she could donate it to TC. She tells
all the neighbors."
Chen expressed that he, too, would tell
friends and neighbors to give him their recyclables, so that
he could pass it to TC to do charity work. However, before
Chen and Wang recycled for TC, they used to collect recyclables
for a living.
Then one day, several years ago, Chen developed
cataracts and was unable to work. When Tzu Chi volunteers
heard about his situation, they covered his operation expenses
and helped him clean the house regularly.
It was through such interaction with Tzu
Chi volunteers that they learned that the volunteers also
collected recyclables, but that the money they got from the
recyclables went towards helping patients on dialysis. Both
of them immediately decided to donate all the money they made
from recycling to Tzu Chi, and they began to find other small
jobs to support themselves. The selfless act of Chen and Wang
touches everyone who already knows their story, but volunteers
hope that their story can inspire more people.
