The fourth get-together for the friends of the heart lotus fell on 2 August 2009. Again, the group gathered to connect and show support for each other.

While the sign language team was performing the theme song, Marliana could not help herself and broke into tears as it reminds her of the volunteers’ care and concern for her.

Ex-beneficiary Mrs Lien seized the occasion to share with the other participants the importance of family’s support and to never give up.

There were volunteers to babysit the children while their parents were at the gathering session.

The parents were deeply moved when their children presented the handmade cards to them.

“Even with obstacles ahead, I'm never lost.
Because I have you by my side…”

“Colourful Wings”, one of the many Tzu Chi songs, is specially selected for the fourth “Heart to Heart” gathering on 2 August. Like the song lyrics, the theme of the get-together for the friends of the heart lotus (alternative name for AIDS patients under Tzu Chi’s medical subsidy programme) is to foster stronger interactions between these beneficiaries and the volunteers. 

Walking along side by side 

Marliana from Indonesia was one participant who had walked out of self-pity. The ex-midwife contracted the HIV virus during her work and has been receiving Tzu Chi’s help since 2008.

While the sign language team was performing the theme song, Marliana could not hold her tears as the song lyrics reminds her of the volunteers’ care and concern for her all along.     

When the H1N1 flu pandemic spread worldwide earlier this year, local hospitals began prohibiting patients to bring young children along during medical consultation. This new regulation bothered Marliana greatly as her son was barely a year old and she had no friends and relatives to entrust her child to. At her wits’ end, Marliana contacted the Tzu Chi volunteers and they took turns to look after her son outside the hospital, allowing her to seek consultation with a peaceful mind.

Marliana, who has not returned to her home country for two years, now regards the Tzu Chi volunteers as her family members. Hoping to spread the love she experienced from Tzu Chi into her community, she gladly promised the volunteers that she will participate in the coming monthly recycling activity.

A journey is never too late to begin, no matter how long it takes

In addition to the sign language performance, stories of Tzu Chi’s beneficiaries are another highlight of the programmes. The video for the day was “A Life of U-turn” which narrates on three Malaysian individuals who rise above difficulties with positive attitude and together with the support of their family, eventually overcome their sorrow and even become volunteers with Tzu Chi.

Here, beneficiary couple Mr and Mrs Lien is one good local exemplar. The couple had never missed any of the past Heart to Heart gatherings. Through the company and visits of the volunteers, they have successfully walked out of their darkest period of life. Under Tzu Chi’s medical subsidy, Mr. Lien gradually regained his health and is able to extend his working hours as a taxi driver. When the family income stabilized, both Mr. and Mrs. Lien requested the Foundation to stop their subsidy, hoping that the funds intended for them can be used to help people who need it more.  

During the 43rd Anniversary Exhibition in Jurong Medical Centre last May, they brought their daughter and grandsons to the exhibition to introduce them to Tzu Chi and let them witness the many unfortunate cases Tzu Chi is assisting. Mr Lien hoped the tour would educate his offspring on the importance of harnessing gratitude for every circumstance in life.

During the gathering session, Mrs. Lien took the opportunity to go onstage to share with the other participants the importance of family’s support and to never give up. She recounted that when she was first diagnosed with the disease two years ago, she actually went up to the rooftop wanting to end her life. Thinking back, she is full of gratitude that at the brink of suicide, she thought of her parents, her husband and her children that she stepped down from the rooftop. Now, she would place all the unhappiness behind her and face everyday with renewed energy. Not only that, she and her entire family are now loyal supporters of Tzu Chi’s community recycling work too.

We’re never lonely with our family

To allow the beneficiaries to enjoy the gathering without any worries, the home visit team arranged volunteers to babysit their young children during the session. Apart from engaging the little ones with lively songs and dances, Sister Lee Chia Ling, the instructor of the Foundation’s Continuing Education Centre, also came to teach the children the interesting pressed flower craft. 

After the fun learning session, the children each made a greeting card with pressed flowers and presented them to their parents as a surprise at the end of the gathering. The daddies and mummies were deeply touched by their children’s gesture and hugged them happily.

The song “Colourful Wings” goes:
“A journey is never too late to begin no matter how long it takes.
A dream is never too far away as long as you don't give up.
Don't look back and you won't have regrets.
Together, we will never be alone.
You would soar high even in the windless sky;
because you have a pair of colourful wings.”

Indeed, the support of family members is the critical ingredient for AIDS patients to walk out of their misery. Together with the support of Tzu Chi volunteers, the future of the friends of the heart lotus will surely get brighter.