CEREMONIES welcoming 2025 and bidding farewell to 2024 gave the attendees of Tzu Chi Kuala Lumpur’s events, at its Jing Si Hall in Jalan Kepong, a moment to reflect on milestones achieved.
Split into six one-and-a-half hour sessions and held over the first two weekends of January, each showcased a programme that included video screenings and performances by volunteers.
Beneficiaries and volunteers also came forward to share their testimonies and thank donors at the sessions.
The main theme for this year that not only the rich should be charitable. The giving of time, effort as well as pro bono professional services are also considered charitable acts and can be undertaken by anyone sincerely wanting to help the less fortunate.
During the ceremony, the efforts of volunteers who had helped the sick, gave online tutoring to needy students, helped deliver aid to flood victims, rebuilt homes destroyed by natural disasters in Malaysia as well as in Taiwan, Japan, India and Indonesia, were highlighted.
Describing the ceremony as a moving experience was Tan Chin-Ching, 45, who is chief executive officer of Vista, an eye specialist chain.
Tan, seen shedding tears after the session, got involved with the international humanitarian organisation when roped in to help with a charity cataract project in 2021.
She said she was touched by their sincerity and devotion to the teachings on selflessness and respect for others by Cheng Yen, a Taiwanese Buddhist nun and founder of the non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Seeing the suffering of disaster victims revealed during the session, Tan said she should learn to let go of petty issues, adding “It made me realise that I must be grateful for my blessings.”
Dr Kuldip Kaur, 62, a former director of Sungai Buloh Hospital, said she felt refreshed after coming out of the session.
She started her engagement with the organisation when it was looking for volunteer doctors to help with disaster relief work more than 10 years ago.
“This organisation is one that I will never say ‘no’ to. When I was in need during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was one of the first organisations to come forward,” she said.
First-time visitor and an airline safety and quality director Captain Tan Mong Loong, 52, said he was happy to have been a part of the ceremony.
Captain Tan, who once flew a group of volunteers to Kota Baru during the 2014 Kelantan floods on a chartered flight, said he hoped to help out more in future.
Spotted at the event too were prominent businessmen Tan Sri Teo Chiang Kok, Datuk Yong Seng Yeow and Tan Sri Lim Wee Chai as well as Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung.
Also invited was Inspector Mohd Fadhil Ab Wahab, from Kepong police station, who said he was happy to meet the people behind the organisation.
