2o March will be a memorable day for my Selama friends again as they went on a meaningful trip. It wasn't a trip for fun like the Gentings or shopping but it was to bring awareness and changes in oneself. However, the response was great and perhaps another trip will be organized later to bring the rest who couldn't make it this time. Fun it was as the trip turned out very enlightening and my friends felt great after that. Asked them how they felt and everyone just said they were impressed with the warmth and respect they received from the Tzu Chi volunteers. One could see that this organization is well managed and had good networking and should be awarded ISO for that. Perhaps, MCA and other political parties which are in bad shape with poor leadership should take some good lessons from NGOs like this. NGOs have a mission and objectives to achieve. Tzu Chi originated from Taiwan and founded by Venerable Master Cheng Yen has spread to more than 40 countries all over the world. Since then, it has been involved in disaster relief many times worldwide. The World Street Journal recently published an article on Tzu Chi's relief work in Haiti which is continuous until today. Try to read the comments. I am surely impressed and proud that this society cares to serve humanity without discriminating race, nationality and religion. These are the principles I love most. I observed that Tzu Chi volunteers are disciplined and are working selflessly, devoting their time, energy and money to help the needy and diligently involved in recycling projects to save the earth. What attracts me is its practical Buddhism In Action and we must be compassionate, humble and sincere in our actions to be able to work together with others to bring about changes in the lives of those who are suffering . Raising awareness on global warming, all of us must play the role of reducing, reusing and recycling to make our world a better place to live in. Little children are taught noble values like respect, love, sharing, appreciating and being responsible from small like we saw in Tzu Chi Kindergarten. Great will it be when these kids grow up. At the Tzu Chi Book Centre in the middle of Georgetown, we found it a cozy spot for relaxing, reading and a cup of tea. Will remember I bought Master Cheng Yen's book and a CD in English here. However, I feel more materials in English should be available to the public who are English educated. Heard that we can reach Tzu Chi USA , Singapore or London by searching in Googles. Tzu Chi in Indonesia is accepted there and even volunteers had helped Muslim school children a lot. We do not convert others but we work together towards bringing hope and better life to others who are suffering. This is most welcome and a good example to all. Bringing peace, harmony and enriching people's lives should be practised worldwide. I haven't thought of it before to make a visit to the Tzu Chi Dialysis Centre on Gottlieb Road before in Penang though I have been passing it for about 30 years. Am glad to be here with many friends to see and hear for ourselves about kidney failures, dialysis and its signs and symptoms . Hopefully, all will be able to be more health conscious and are more prepared when they face with health problems. Tzu Chi dialysis is free for all patients regardless of race or religion. It is compassionate service and most appreciated with thanks by all its patients. Part of its supporting projects is the recycling of recyclable materials so all of us were reminded to participate seriously in practising it beginning from our own homes. Will try my best together with Mdm Cheang to encourage our pupils to bring recyclable items to school from their homes. Must put in a lot of effort as pupils and teachers too need a little push to do it seriously. Well, as the day was getting late our last stop was the hawker centre at Gurney Drive. At last, my friends could enjoy the variety of delicious Penang food. I love Penang food so much and am not ready to be a vegetarian yet. Perhaps being vegetarian is a good suggestion to cut down on eating meat, thus we do not have to breed so many animals which in turn will contribute to a lot of waste. I learned of something new, "We, our stomachs are the cemeteries for these animals." Agreed. By the time we reached Selama, it was already almost nine. Luckily, we all had a safe journey and seeing my friends holding their bamboo money box and packets of noodles in their hands, I smiled and reminded them to bring along their recyclable bags when going out the next time. The money collected in the bamboo coin boxes will be donated to the Tzu Chi fund to help others. How nice to end the day with such nice feelings and the wish to do more good deeds every day.
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