Author: Jenny Sun
Translator: Pen-Chi Liu
Editor: Dilber Shatursun
When Steven Voon, Executive Vice President of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, shared some stories with the audience at the 2019 TIMA Global Forum, he had one that was particularly moving.
When a Tzu Chi Vision Mobile Clinic arrived at a school in Fresno, California, and gave prescription glasses to correct the vision a family of four siblings from Mexico, there was a stifled joy in their faces. Tzu Chi volunteers then went to visit the family and discovered the family’s deep impoverishment, afflictions with illness, and overall suffering. Upon evaluation, the family received physical, mental, and spiritual care. As the story ended, compassion was evident in the room.
Steven the lecturer for the session called “School-Based Vision Project for Underserved Children” asked Forum guests: “if $25 can help a child see a future, will you help?” All replied: “Yes.”
When those who are suffering cannot come to seek aid—those who are blessed must meet them where they are.
The Tzu Chi Vision Mobile Clinic is the embodiment of this spirit. It goes to underserved and often remote areas to shine a light to those in dark corners. From California, this power of love will go east toward New York. In fact, at the 2019 TIMA Global Forum, we are inaugurating the second of our now two Vision Mobile Clinics. Why do we need two vehicles instead of one?
In many parts of the nation, like New York, narrower roadways demand different restrictions for vehicles longer than 20 feet. Therefore, two vehicles will serve different purposes: one vehicle will be the examination vehicle; the other will provide eyewear.
After dinner, everyone gathered together on the outdoor plaza to witness the moment when Mr. Stephen Huang, Mr. Powen Yen, Dr. Chin-Lon Lin, Dr. Shinn-Zong Lin, Dr. Sou-Hsin Chien, Dr. Ming-Nan Lin, Dr. Han Huang and representatives from all over the United States cut the ribbon in a brief ribbon cutting ceremony for the two new Vision Mobile Clinics. Everyone waved to the sky to send their gratitude to the dear Master, from whom our entire medical mission is inspired.