The best way to learn compassion is to experience it and the right place to develop or enhance this attitude is at the Tzu Chi Eye Center, a hospital run by the Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines.
For many years, the hospital in Sta. Mesa, Manila has been providing free consultation and surgery to mostly poor people with eye defects to restore or improve their vision. Doctors, inspired by the Tzu Chi founder Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s kindness, work at the hospital as volunteers, giving medical services to help instead of to earn.
Recently, 186 freshmen students from the Medical Technology, Radiologic Technology, Physical Therapy, and Psychology programs of the Chinese General Hospital Colleges (CGHC) underwent immersion at the TCEC. They assisted doctors in clinical chores and prepared food for patients from 25 May to 21 June.
James Chua, a Tzu Chi volunteer and the CGHC deputy executive director and dean of its College of Medical Technology, said the goal of the immersion is for the students to observe how patients are properly treated.
“We chose Tzu Chi because we know in healthcare it is important that a person develops compassion which is one of Tzu Chi Foundation’s main core values. So we want our students to be able to observe as early as their first year how to properly address of treat patients but to also develop compassion as one of their core values,” Chua said.
He told the students, “As future healthcare providers, it is important that you understand how it is to be a patient so that you will have compassion and treat every patient as if they are your own relatives.”
Inspired by doctors and patients
Sharing his experience, CGHC student Tristan Diaz said it was inspiring that Tzu Chi volunteers help others without getting anything in return.
“What you get back are the smiles of the patients that you helped and those are more than enough,” Diaz said.
Another student, Kyle Policarpio, said she also wants to be like the Tzu Chi ophthalmologists.
“By just seeing their patients heal, they feel happy,” she said.
The Tzu Chi immersion motivates Aika Nadine Balbona to finish her course, so that more patients who want to be treated would be assisted.
“I am glad to participate in a community like this. I want to create a community someday that will assist others as well because I’ve learned at Tzu Chi to help those in need,” Uriel Coloma said.
“I was happy for the patients since they will be treated properly and that the people, the staff and the health professionals that will be treating them really care and have the passion and dedication to help and treat people with their purest heart,” according to Francine Antonne Nocido.
Shaene Llyne Tolentino not only learned how to be compassionate but also appreciate her purpose in life.
She remembered one of the outpatients who thanked them before going home.
“She thanked us on assisting them during their clearance day. People remember us, that is what I learned in Tzu Chi. You made small things but you will be appreciated,” Tolentino said.
Home visits and makeover
Freshmen Psychology students from the CGHC also took turns joining Tzu Chi volunteers in home visitation of eye patients. The home visits gave the students a glimpse of the patients’ living conditions and an understanding of their illnesses’ effects on the family.
In San Juan City, the students joined Tzu Chi volunteers in giving a 68-year-old street dweller a haircut to groom him before his cataract surgery at the TCEC.
Alfonso Simon’s hair and beard had grown long and greasy from days without washing. His appearance drastically changed after the volunteers and students gave him a makeover!
“It’s more comfortable,” Simon said smiling as he thanked his visitors. “You are all very kind!”
On 19 June, Simon underwent cataract surgery. When he regains his eyesight, Simon vowed to look for a job and fill up a coin bank with part of his earnings to donate to Tzu Chi.
The home visitation revealed many valuable insights that the students would treasure in their hearts for a long time. The scenes of suffering they witnessed were like water that nourished their dream to serve society with dedication, according to Tzu Chi.
“Our generation often asks for a lot of material things, thinking they need it to live while there are people who do not even have roofs over their heads,” Raki Mercado said.
“I will work hard to get a good education so that one day, I can help these patients,” another student, Rosslyn Tan said.