In the village of Badripur in Rajgir, in Bihar, north-east India, a remarkable encounter unfolded by chance. It was a moment that would change young Sandeep Kumar’s life forever. Sandeep, a little boy with a belly as big as a drum, made an unexpected appearance in a video, drawing the attention of Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi. On witnessing Sandeep’s abnormality on the screen, Tzu Chi volunteer, Abhishek Kumar launched a mission to find the young boy.
He made diligent inquiries, and his determination paid off when he finally located Sandeep on June 14th, 2022. From that moment on, a profound connection was forged between him and Tzu Chi.
Tzu Chi volunteers, Abhishek Kumar and Vivek Kumar, overcame numerous challenges to take him to the finest hospital in the capital, New Delhi, for surgery. Over the course of more than a year, he gradually regained his health, and recently, Tzu Chi volunteers visited Sandeep once again.
As the volunteers arrived in Badripur village on August 15, guided by the local volunteer Abhishek Kumar from Rajgir City, curious villagers gathered to observe their visit to Sandeep. Dressed in their distinctive blue and white uniforms, the volunteers journeyed through lush meadows to reach Sandeep's home. Although Sandeep's parents eagerly welcomed the volunteers, the boy himself was not present, as he was out playing.
The arrival of the Tzu Chi volunteers aroused the interest of the villagers, drawing more onlookers and children to the scene. Sensing an opportunity to educate, Shih Hui-Li (石慧麗), a volunteer from the Tzu Chi Malaysia Teachers’ Association, used her cellphone to play a video titled "The Impact of Plastic on Cattle." This engaging video captivated the children and brought them closer; it allowed the volunteers to emphasize the importance of environmental protection and the harm caused by plastic. Another volunteer, Lee Li-Hua (李麗華), from Malaysia, joined in educating and engaging with the children.
It was not long before Sandeep returned home, called by the villagers. Although initially shy and bashful in the presence of the volunteers, it is clear that he has recovered well. He has grown taller and is noticeably healthier, much to the relief of the volunteers who have been accompanying him on this journey.
Sandeep's transformation is a testament to the power of Tzu Chi's compassion and assistance. Not only has his health improved, but his parents have also come to deeply respect Tzu Chi as they eagerly greet the volunteers with a warm "Namaste."
Initially, there had been skepticism and misunderstanding among the villagers; but they soon realized that the volunteers had come to help. They had witnessed the positive impact of Tzu Chi's efforts. They remembered the time when Abhishek had rushed Sandeep to the hospital, and doctors had expressed doubts about his survival. Now, seeing Sandeep thriving, they rejoice and hope for his bright future.
To uplift Sandeep's spirits, Shih Hui-Li sang and danced to make the boy happy. She had been deeply saddened when she first saw Sandeep's condition on TV; but seeing how happy and healthy he is now, she is overjoyed. She believes in the transformative power of love and kindness and knows that, by connecting with Sandeep, they were making a lasting impact.
Sandeep's smile has become a symbol of hope and resilience, radiating positivity to everyone around him. The villagers, deeply moved by Tzu Chi's visit, responded by offering handfuls of rice—a simple yet heartfelt gesture of gratitude.
In a significant development, the volunteers, led by Sio Kee-hong (蘇祈逢), are exploring opportunities to provide education to the children in Sandeep's village. They are seeking assistance from Sonmanti Devi, a dedicated local woman who has been actively working to uplift the lives of the Dalit community. Eager to support their efforts, Sonmanti guided them to a tranquil spot beneath a large linden tree, where they discussed their plans.
The villagers who gathered under the tree were receptive to Abhishek's explanation of Tzu Chi's mission and how even a handful of rice can make a difference. Inspired by this message of compassion, villagers started contributing rice to the cause, not just as a mere donation but as an act that opened the doors to their own blessings and wisdom.
Witnessing this outpouring of love and generosity, Sandeep and his mother were deeply touched. Though this was the first meeting between the Tzu Chi volunteers and the villagers of Konarak Nagar, the profound bond of humanity and goodwill transcended all boundaries.
Before departing, the volunteers lined up to bow respectfully to the villagers, who had accompanied them to the main road as they left Konarak Nagar by bus.
The volunteers, led by Sio Kee-hong, hoped that this newfound sense of unity and compassion could extend to more good deeds within the village, including saving a handful of rice daily to support the needy.
Sio Kee-hong firmly believes in the innate goodness of humanity, and he hopes to see love and kindness spread to every corner of the world.
A Jing Si Aphorism says: “Gratitude, respect, and love are not demands placed on others but qualities one should embody themselves, naturally leading to responses of gratitude, respect, and love.”
Join Tzu Chi. Let us make our world a better place.
Reported by Zhong Wen-ying.
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