In the darker corners of our society, the sufferings yearn to see Tzu Chi people around to offer help. The regular home visits conducted by the volunteers not only bring care and concern to the beneficiaries, it also enable them to assess the actual situation of the beneficiaries so as to render help appropriately. Besides improving their physical and social well being, the visits also help the beneficiaries to regain self-confidence and hence be more self-dependent. Some of the beneficiaries have looked upon the Tzu Chi volunteers as their close relatives whom they can confide in. Some even entrust their funeral arrangement to the volunteers with a will. This is a manifestation of love and goodness in the community.
Relief Distribution Day
The Relief Distribution Day was first held in year 1994. Tzu Chi’s long-term beneficiaries receive financial assistance, daily necessities and medical subsidy as well as haircut service in this monthly event. The Singapore branch office moved to Chinatown in 1998 while the Distribution Day was relocated to the branch in September 2000. The lonely elders around the neighborhood were also invited to join the beneficiaries for lunch and entertainment.
On November 2003, Tzu Chi Singapore branch started a large scale “Elderly Care Day” to encourage the lonely elders to walk out of their house and participate actively in community event. More than 400 seniors, together with the long-term beneficiaries, were invited to the outdoor event held at the Kreta Ayer Square.
Considering the different needs between the beneficiaries and the elderly, Relief Distribution was subsequently reorganize from the Elderly Care Day and held at the branch office on a tri-monthly basis as well as on festive holidays such as Parents’ Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year Blessings to bring a feel-good, family atmosphere for the beneficiaries.
Caring Day for the Lonely Elders
On November 2003, the Monthly Distribution Day was expanded further to include the lonely elders and senior citizens living in Chinatown and nearby community. Every month, more than 400 lonely elders were entertained with performances and given health check and haircut service at the Kreta Ayer Square.
The Elderly Care Day has become a regular activity as well as a cultural attraction in the Kreta Ayer area for more than two years. It has also inspired kindness in the community thereby promoting an atmosphere of respect for the elders.
In July 2006, following the commencement of the renovation projects of Kreta Ayer Complex, the Elderly Care Day was relocated to Tzu Chi branch at Jing Si Hall in Pasir Ris and held on a tri-monthly basis.
Medical Assistance for the AIDS Sufferers
Tzu Chi received its first AIDS referral case from Singapore Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC) in 1998 and since started the provision of medical assistance to patients who are unable to afford the high medical cost. By end 2005, up to 44 families had benefited from the assistance program. Regular gatherings were also organized for the patients and their families to help build their long-lost confidence and pride.
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