The Hostess Club Manager

Compiled by Eddie Huang (黃永平)
                        Connie Chen (陳慷妮)

The Hostess Club Manager

Compiled by Eddie Huang (黃永平)
                        Connie Chen (陳慷妮)

In the past, Hong Xiu-huang (left) had a troubled relationship with her family. (Photo by Shi Long-wen)

"Back then, I earned my living at the expense of my own health, but now I'm using money to buy it back," Hong Xiu-huang (洪秀璜) reflected. Hong's work as a manager at a hostess club came at a cost. Her job involved entertaining guests, often requiring her to drink with them. However, her commitment to her work went beyond the norm. There was an incident when a guest insisted on settling a bill in her presence, even though she was hospitalized with pneumonia at the time. With tens of thousands of dollars at stake, Hong found herself in a difficult position. Ultimately, she chose to prioritize her work, balancing an IV pole in one hand while raising a toast with the other to appease the guest.

When work-related stress took its toll, she would often vent her frustrations by throwing things and arguing with her husband at home. Physically and mentally exhausted, Hong's body started showing warning signs, including worsened diabetes and a diagnosis of hepatitis C. All these health issues served as a wake-up call for her. Therefore, in 1997, she left the club and started working as a server in a karaoke establishment.

Tzu Chi volunteers reenact an episode in Hong's life when she was still working at the hostess club. (Photo by You Guo-lin)

During one of Hong's visits to her mother, she found her engrossed in a Da Ai Drama titled A Life Bounded. It depicted the story of Ma Wenzhong (馬文仲) from Henan, China, who battled muscular dystrophy. Despite this challenge, he and his wife, managed to build a school, providing underprivileged children with access to education in their hometown.

Ma's story resonated with Hong, and she began to identify with the values Tzu Chi represented. Thus, when her mother suggested that she undergo training to become a certified Tzu Chi volunteer, she agreed without a second thought. However, a turn of events unfolded during her training—both of her parents received cancer diagnoses. In 2006, Hong's father passed away, and merely 50 days later, so did her mother. In the face of these losses, Hong vowed to dedicate all her strength to support Tzu Chi's mission, striving to make her mother proud.

Hong used to have a quick temper, but her family has noticed significant changes in her since she joined Tzu Chi. (Photo by Shi Long-wen)

Despite the challenges posed by her own health condition—diabetes, Hong often volunteered at the hospital. Whenever it was time for her insulin injections, she'd quietly retreat to the restrooms. Hong expressed, "As long as my health permits, I'd choose to spend my time volunteering here," She explained that being at the hospital allows her to appreciate the cycle of life – birth, aging, illness, and death. In this place where life's journeys intersect, she has made a vow: to take good care of herself and make the most of her life.