Tan Ching Swee, a Tzu Chi volunteer in Singapore, has recently passed away due to illness. The unexpected news caught his family in Malaysia by surprise. When volunteers in Johor Bahru received the news, they immediately contacted the bus company, allowing his family members to enter Singapore smoothly in the afternoon of the same day.   

After 4 hours of waiting at Singapore’s bus station, Tzu Chi volunteers finally met Tan Ching Swee's family members.  

Tan Ching San, Ching Swee’s brother：The mood was a little more chaotic, and I started to get nervous about the tickets and all that. In fact, we did not hold out hope that we could enter Singapore the next day.     

Chean Yen Thong, Tzu Chi JB volunteer：If it was done according to standard procedures, we must apply three days in advance. We tried to find other channels to assist him, so the process was quite rushed. We were racing against time and lending them a shoulder to rely on.   

Meanwhile, at the other end of the Causeway, Singaporean volunteers assisted in taking care of the funeral and following through the whole process, giving the family members an ease of mind.  

Wong Sin Hwa, Tzu Chi volunteer：Because the family hasn't arrived in Singapore yet, only his mother and sister are here, from the hospital to the funeral proceedings, the volunteers just took charge, because he's our family.  

Tan Ching San, Ching Swee's brother：We really don't know how to deal with this. Very grateful to Tzu Chi. They have relieved us of (the responsibility) and supported us in this difficult time. 

Over the past 18 years, in large and small Tzu Chi activities, Tan Ching Swee had always been a silent contributor. He was a cheerful and quiet person and he had forged good connections. Members of the Dharma family have been left very reluctant to see him go, and they have taken turns to keep vigil for him through the night.  

Liu Yao Hung, Volunteer：I met Brother Ching Swee during an overseas medical mission.//I recited some Buddhist scriptures for him, (may he) vow to return to Tzu Chi (in the next life).  

Tan See Chok, Tzu Chi volunteer：I hope we can continue with our Dharma affinity 

Tan Ching San, Ching Swee’s brother：Staying up all night is our responsibility as a family. After observing for some time, I realised that we are like a family. To be able to keep vigil for him through the night, it shows that the brothers have treated him as their own. 

With his family's blessing, Ching Swee donated his cornea to keep his love going in this world. Images of his warm figure will forever remain in the hearts of his family and fellow dharma family in Tzu Chi.