Christine Tjia

Today, I hv witness another side of the society. A side that I had seen and heard in news and movies but never in person.

It deepens my gratitude to His provision of my life and what I currently hv and had. It reminds me of how fortunate I am and how cruel the world and life can be at times.

Few weeks ago, the Zebra received a newsletter from Vegetarian Society Singapore.

One of the article features Teresa Hsu - 110 years old vegetarian and is well known as "Singapore's Mother Teresa", according to Wikipedia. Her life is not only colorful but also touching to the heart. She is also the founder of Heart to Heart, a non profit organization who support the underprivileged individuals through money and food.

It was my first time doing volunteer work in Singapore. Woke up real early in the morning, can't help but feel the excitement in me. When we reached, we were confused by all of the addresses that they were announcing, one after the other. Not knowing what to do, we asked around and found ourselves split into two groups and tagged onto the regulars.

Basically, the voluteer work is help and distribute basic necessities like food and drinks to some of the families. Our first stop is this 89 yrs old lady, who lived alone in a studio apartment. There was no TV, no fridge, no air con or even a fan. There were only paper and stacks of carton boxes. The air was stuffy, the floor was sticky and the room was messy. It shocks me initially but it brought me down to humility when I learnt that the joints in her arm limits her movement and her health is weakening with age. She can't work which is why those carton boxes are her only income. With such age and living condition, I was surprised and disgusted when told that anyonewould rob her at her home and by a grown man!!!

Our second location was just around the block, a 92 old lady, who also lived alone. It pains my heart to hear that it's not because she doesn't hv any family or relative but it's the younger generation that chose to not live with her. They visit occassionally and usually in festives.

From conversing with these two ladies, I realized that the tone of their voices are depressed. They often sigh and stare into space. They hv given up family, money and life. They struggle to live each and every day but yet they are ready if their life is taken away. My eyes grow watery and a lump came to my throat when I heard their stories. Fighting my tears, I hold them back. I can't imagine how worse they would feel if they already pity themselves and some youngsters visited them and cry.

Going down the stairs, we found a young boy sitting by the stairs playing broken trucks. But he was not playing. Instead, he was holding a hand tool, trying to crushed a tiny cockcroack, who was already lying on its back on the floor. You can tell that it was still alive, as those legs moved vigorously. Staring in disbelief, I asked myself, "What has this world become to?"

I left wondering what the future behold for me in my golden years. Will I be like the old ladies? If I hv kids, will my kids be like that boy by the staircase?

I don't know. And I don't wanna know. It's too scary to imagine but it's not too crazy to think. I tell myself that no matter what happen, I will not allow and will not tolerate my parents to go through that. I will do all I can in my willpower to ensure of that.

By the end of the day, I was still shaken by the experience and the reality. And I believe I will be in the next few days. These ladies hv been in my prayers eversince. This experience keeps me in check with reality. May be some of you out there believe that there are biggers things in life that would remind you and defines who you are. I do not doubt that. But in addition to that, let's not be too comfortable in our zone and too rigid in helping those from certain group or category only. There is nothing wrong in helping those outside our circle.

I thank Heart to Heart for opening my eyes and showing me the other side of the world that I hv not seen. I hv been so comfortable in my zone that I sometimes forget there are those who are less unfortunate than me.

Pls don't make the same mistake as me. I urge you to help those that you are able to and in yr reach. We don't own what we hv. What we hv is generously given with mercy by Him.