Lessons from Tzu Chi

The Tzu Chi Eye Center is not only a source of healing and hope for patients. The facility in Sta. Mesa, Manila also serves to inspire its own volunteers to develop caring and compassionate character.

Thirteen Tzu Chi Youth volunteers from Taiwan and Malaysia reinforced their dedication to serve others after visiting the center last 5 August. Aside from expressing solidarity with their Filipino counterparts by performing sign language interpretations of songs and serving food to the patients waiting for their consultations, there were new lessons to learn from the immersion and cultural exchange.

Malaysian volunteer Teh Ling-En said the nearly blind patients reminded her to be grateful for having a normal vision. She committed to seeing the good in life rather than dwelling on the bad.

Compatriot Chua Jia-Qian learned from the Filipino doctors that they not only wait for the needy to come to them, but reach out to the needy themselves.

“I think when people like us are fortunate enough to walk into places where others cannot, we need to go into those places to give them the help they truly need,” Chua said, according to Tzu Chi.

Pharmacy student Wu Shan-De was struck not only by the quality of care and the Center’s state-of-art equipment, but by the spirit of Great Love woven through the volunteers’ and medical team’s work. He expressed his aspiration to bring that same dedication and compassion to his own future practice.

Nursing student Hu Zih Syuan was reminded by local volunteer nurses that they can also change many lives, making her realize that it is a truly worthy vocation.

Medical student Li Qi Zheng were told by the patients how grateful they were to the Center for the treatment that ended their years of depression.

“I’m determined to become a doctor, to help other people and contribute back to society, because I can,” Li said.

In helping others, the visitors discovered the joy of service that would make their future profession as doctors, nurses and healers truly fulfilling.