By Low Siew Lian and Yen Yu Chu
Abridged and translated by Wu Hsiao-ting
Photo by Yong Siew Lee
Khoo Chin Neo’s life showed that even the smallest kindness can brighten the world. A woman whose love extended to all, she will forever be the cherished “godmother” of her fellow volunteers.
In 1995, 63-year-old Khoo Chin Neo (邱金娘), who lived in Melaka, Malaysia, first learned that recyclables could be turned into charitable funds to help those in need. From that day on, she began combing roadside trash cans, tirelessly searching for anything that could be recycled to aid others. What many saw as worthless refuse—items like aluminum cans and glass bottles—became symbols of hope in her hands. When she encountered curious looks or whispered remarks, she would simply smile and say, “Once these are sorted and sold, they can help many people who are suffering.”
In the years that followed, her steadfast figure was often seen riding in trucks to collect recyclables. Fellow volunteers frequently reminded her not to lift heavy items. She would agree, yet moments later would disappear again, joyfully immersed in her work. Though her family worried about her age and the strain of climbing in and out of trucks, she would gently reassure them: “Compared to the families I meet during home visits, I am truly blessed.”
She was always there for families in need, no matter how long or arduous the journeys were to reach them. While other volunteers helped children with their schoolwork, she sat with the mothers, sharing practical advice on managing their homes and on how to encourage their children to take part in daily chores. Having endured hardship and poverty herself, she understood what those in need were going through and was always ready to offer support.
She was equally dedicated to fundraising, recruiting over 800 donating members for Tzu Chi. (A donating member makes monthly contributions to the foundation.) Being illiterate, she relied on simple drawings to remember each donor: a leaf, a flower, or a road. When transportation was unavailable, she walked door to door to collect donations, rain or shine. She never hurried away after receiving a donation, but always stayed to chat and listen if donors wished to talk. Like a loving mother, she offered companionship, understanding, and care, earning the love and trust of everyone she met. People often held her back just to talk a little longer.
As the years passed, her steps slowed and knee pain set in. She just strapped on braces and pressed on. “I want to help Master Cheng Yen gather more love,” she said. “Kindness must go on. Even small donations, when combined, can help many lives.”
She was a gentle yet grounded presence for nearly 30 years with Tzu Chi. Volunteers affectionately called her “Kai Ma” (“godmother” in Cantonese), their hearts captured by her warm smile and words that soothed the soul. In December 2022, she suffered a stroke and became bedridden. Though she could no longer speak, whenever she heard the words “Tzu Chi,” her eyes would light up, and she would respond with small movements. Tzu Chi was her deepest attachment—the love she could never let go of.
She passed away peacefully on November 25, 2025, at the age of 93. Though she is gone, the warmth, inspiration, and example she left behind live on in the hearts of many.
Khoo Chin Neo interacts warmly with attendees of Indian descent at a year-end distribution event held by Tzu Chi Melaka in 2018. Lee Kin Chee
A heart that knew no obstacles
Volunteer Chong Ah Kau (張佛生) recalled the years he spent working alongside “Kai Ma.” They would set out on home visits at nine in the morning and often didn’t return until four or five in the afternoon—and sometimes even later—but she never once complained of being tired. “Seeing a struggling family receive supplies and break into smiles was enough to make her happy,” Chong said. “If she knew a family had children, she would bring along sweets, and if the journey was long, she prepared snacks for everyone.”
Chong noted that Khoo never let difficulties stand in her way. Transportation, language barriers, illiteracy, age, or physical frailty—everything others might see as a hurdle, she found a way to overcome.
Perhaps most admirable was something she often said: “Be sure to call me whenever there’s an event. I’m not afraid of hard work; I’m only afraid of being left out. I will keep volunteering as long as I am able.” She was a constant fixture on monthly recycling days, regardless of how busy or tired she might be. “I love recycling work,” she would say. “It’s okay for the body to be tired, as long as the spirit isn’t.” She also liked to say, “The more we give, the more we gain. We should keep sowing blessings and not let our store of blessings run dry.”
Volunteer Lee Soo Leng (李士能) often drove Khoo around in a truck to collect recyclables from stores and homes. “Whenever we got out of the truck, she got out too,” Lee recalled. “While we handled the recyclables, she would strike up conversations with people nearby. By the time we finished loading the truck, which was about 15 minutes later, she had already inspired one or more people to become donors.”
Lee added with a smile, “If I were one of the people she approached, I’d have donated too.” He explained that talking with her felt less like a solicitation and more like a warm chat with a caring elder. Even those meeting her for the first time felt instantly at ease and were often moved to contribute, whether to help children from underprivileged families continue their education or to support other worthy causes.
Lim Buay Eng (林梅英), who lived in the same neighborhood as Khoo, recalled the first time they met more than 20 years ago, when Khoo went to her home to collect a donation. Lim was taken aback when she saw her. “How could someone so elderly still be doing this?” she wondered, yet at the same time Khoo’s spirit and perseverance left a deep impression on her. In time, Lim herself became a Tzu Chi volunteer, and the two later served together as Tzu Chi moms for members of the Tzu Chi Collegiate Association. Khoo often prepared food for the students or invited them to her home, always saying, “These children have come from other places to study; we must take good care of them.”
During Lunar New Year, Tzu Chi volunteers would visit Khoo to pay their respects. As she handed out red envelopes, she made sure to give one to Lim, then already in her 50s, conveying her warmest wishes. “She was the ‘Kai Ma’ and grandmother to all of us,” Lim said. “She loved not just her own family, but everyone.”
Khoo was known for standing at the front when Tzu Chi took to the streets for fundraising, bowing politely to every passerby. While other volunteers sometimes hesitated to approach people from other ethnic groups, Khoo stepped forward with confidence. Using just a few simple phrases in Malay, she inspired generosity from others. On a single outing, she could easily sell more than 20 charity sale booklets, many to people from non-Chinese backgrounds.
“We were the ones making it complicated,” Lim reflected. “She moved straight forward because she was so pure in heart, believing that everyone has love and compassion inside them. Everyone was moved by her kind simplicity and sincerity.”
Khoo collects recyclables from a shop in 2007. She loved doing recycling work and used to say that it’s okay for the body to be tired, as long as the spirit isn’t. Yan Lin-zhao
A legacy of love
At Khoo’s memorial service on November 27, 2025, her family shared a video to bid farewell to their beloved mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. With deep affection, they spoke of how she had been the strongest pillar of the family and had passed on to them a spirit of goodness and faith. They vowed to carry on her legacy, continuing to do good together as a family and to spread love. The family also expressed gratitude to Tzu Chi, recognizing that the foundation had given Khoo an opportunity to dedicate herself selflessly to others.
Her daughter-in-law, Paruadi Ramasamy, went on stage during the memorial service to share how her mother-in-law’s kindness, care, and compassion had touched many people. “We do not feel grief over her passing; instead, we find comfort in knowing she lived a full and beautiful life imbued with an all-embracing love,” she said. “She always did what she believed was right. Through Tzu Chi, her love reached the world. Her wisdom is deeply imprinted in our hearts, serving as an example to us all.”
Khoo’s eldest son, Lim Jen Tat (林猷達), also spoke at the service. He shared that the love their mother had given them surpassed everything. Though she had left them, they would honor her memory by living out her generous spirit. “Today’s memorial is filled with warmth,” he said. “What we see is not just my mother or our family’s love, but a mother to everyone—a symbol of Great Love. For this, we are deeply grateful to Tzu Chi.”
Khoo lived simply, asking for nothing for herself and wishing only to help more people. Her love was simple yet profound, reflected in her belief that being able to move, work, and help others is the greatest blessing of all. Through her life, she showed that even the smallest acts of goodness can brighten the world. Though a person may grow old and pass away, kindness and love never fade. May her joy and legacy be passed on from generation to generation, as those she touched go on to touch many others.
