Written by Shuli Lo
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Adriana DiBenedetto
In the southwestern region of Tijuana, Mexico, severe and long-term shortages have made it particularly challenging for patients with serious conditions and mobility issues to access suitable care. To improve oral health for vulnerable community members, Tzu Chi volunteers launched an initiative that united dental professionals from Taiwan, Mexico, and the U.S. to form a specialized dentistry team. As such, dental professionals from Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) in Taiwan arrived at Ontario International Airport in Southern California on the afternoon of July 6, 2025. Driven by compassion, they embarked on a medical aid mission into the most underserved areas, determined to bring hopeful smiles to those who needed them most.
Care Crosses the Ocean
In the southwestern area of Tijuana, situated along the Mexico–United States border, there is a stark contrast in social mobility and financial viability that underpins day-to-day life. Shaped by decades of housing policy, shifting economic forces and crises, and so much more, the region grapples with limited resources that are essential for one’s quality of life, from employment opportunities, to medical care, education, and even running water at home. For many, the vicious cycle of falling into poverty due to illness, and becoming ill due to poverty is all too common. For patients who have physical or intellectual disabilities, limited family caregiving resources mean medical care is often restricted to emergency treatment, in addition to substantial barriers to dental care.
High medical costs and unequal resource distribution further exacerbate existing oral health issues, and thus, many times, dental pain cannot be properly remedied or prevented. What’s more, the Tzu Chi Tijuana Campus presently has only one dentist and one assistant, making it impossible to meet the overwhelming demand.
And so, in response to the community’s urgent needs, Tzu Chi volunteers facilitated a collaborative event. They partnered with the local health department (Secretaría de Salud de Baja California), Tijuana General Hospital, TIMA Taiwan’s dentistry team, and Tzu Chi dentists from Mexico and the U.S., to jointly provide specialized dental services. By combining expertise with compassion, they brought tangible care and hope to their patients.
Joining Hands in Providing Assistance
Tijuana volunteers traveled to Ontario International Airport in Southern California on the afternoon of July 6 to welcome the TIMA dentistry teams. Physicians from Taiwan included Dr. Yi Pang Lee from the Tzu Chi Hospital in Hualien; Dr. Yi Jan Hzsa from the Tzu Chi Hospital in Taichung; Dr. Ming-Ju Lee from the Tzu Chi Hospital in Taichung, and his wife, Chinghsuan Huang; and Dr. Tzu-ying Lee from the Tzu Chi Hospital in Kaohsiung, along with medical equipment technician Chuani Lai. The U.S. TIMA team comprised Dr. Lawrence Lai, Dr. Stephanie Chen, and Dr. Hungyuan Yen.
Although the team members had only communicated via online meetings before departure, their first meeting felt like reuniting with old friends. The group traveled straight from the airport to Tijuana. After a three-hour drive, they arrived at the Tzu Chi Campus at 11 PM. Despite a tiring journey, their spirits remained high. Upon arrival, they first paid their respects to Tzu Chi’s founder, Dharma Master Cheng Yen, then enjoyed a delightful spread of fruits and Taiwanese-style snacks prepared by the volunteers. The joyful greetings and lively conversations quickly turned strangers into friends, creating an atmosphere as close and natural as family. The usual awkwardness or distance typical of first meetings was absent from the scene.
Helping Others is a Blessing
This gathering would mark the first time Dr. Yi Jan Hzsa, Deputy Director of Medical Services at the Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, participated in a Tzu Chi Tijuana free clinic. He shared that he received an invitation from Dr. Yi Pang Lee of Hualien’s Tzu Chi Hospital about a month and a half prior. When learning that it was an overseas free clinic, he agreed without hesitation, expressing, “Tzu Chi is contributing here. I wanted to come and see if I could also do my part.” Recalling the moment volunteers greeted him with song at Ontario International Airport in Southern California, he said emotionally, “It felt like returning to the Jing Si Abode, it’s truly heartwarming.”
Dr. Hzsa also observed the challenges facing the local community. In addition to the lack of crucial medical resources, like dental and vision care, many schoolchildren didn’t have identification and were unable to read at grade level. Volunteers at the Tzu Chi Campus had patiently accompanied them in their learning and assisted with applying for identification documents. He reflected, “Having this opportunity to help them is my blessing.”
Master Cheng Yen said, ‘When there is karmic affinity, there is no need to fear that it comes late.’ I hope this connection can continue.
Sharing Skills to Strengthen Local Capacity
Dr. Yi Pang Lee of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital is the primary individual who facilitated this medical mission. He explained that the initiative originated from a call from Tijuana volunteer Jessica Su. “After seeing our report on special needs dentistry on Da Ai TV, she contacted me, noting that many patients here lack access to experienced dentists and hoped we could assist.”
Thus, Dr. Li proposed combining the free clinic with academic exchange. After reporting to Master Cheng Yen and receiving full endorsement from Tzu Chi Medical Foundation CEO Chin Lon Lin, this international medical mission spanning Taiwan, the U.S., and Mexico finally came to fruition.
“What we do today is to prepare for the free clinic. We brought dental instruments that we are used to from Taiwan, and the U.S. doctors also brought their own equipment. We aim to provide the most adequate treatment for patients using the methods we are most proficient in,” said Dr. Li.
Dr. Li also emphasized that it is even more important to pass on expertise and cultivate local medical capacity in addition to providing medical services. He additionally identified with the philosophy of local volunteer Joe Wang, who said, “Establishing fixed locations and providing ongoing care are the way to truly deliver care to patients, rather than short-term free clinics.”
We've come from afar not only to treat but to share our expertise, empowering local doctors to take over and care for these patients in the future.
The Classroom of Hope
On the morning of July 7, the dentistry team from Taiwan and the U.S. entered the Tzu Chi Tijuana Campus for the first time, and was warmly welcomed by Classroom of Hope students. The children lined up to welcome the team, introducing the campus’s medical resources and TIMA’s global service footprint in Spanish, which deeply moved the doctors.
When the students performed the sign language song, “One Family,” the doctors spontaneously joined in and moved their hands along with the piece. The heartwarming scene demonstrated a connection that transcended language barriers. At the end of the event, all of the teachers and students gathered in prayer, sending out blessings for the upcoming free clinic and its safe and successful completion.
Later, volunteer Joe Wang guided the doctors on an in-depth tour of the Tijuana campus, including the organic farm. Having achieved steady production of vegetables for student lunches, the farm made a strong impression on the visitors, who also deeply appreciated Tzu Chi’s dedication and ongoing support to the local community.
Innovative Development
The medical team started to prepare the equipment and conducted functional tests before the free clinic in the afternoon. Serving patients with special needs relies not only on physicians’ expertise but also on the ingenuity of logistics volunteers. Volunteer Jason Wong has been responsible for the maintenance of dental clinic equipment for quite a long time. And so, he developed a first-generation saliva suction device specifically for patients with special requirements based on the medical team’s practical needs.
“During meetings, doctors mentioned they wished there could be a saliva suction device that produces strong suction power and low noise, while being portable for use at outreach clinics or home visits,” Wong explained. With this in mind, he took inspiration from the water pump system commonly used on RVs and built in an automatic mechanism to create a foot-operated suction device. The device is simple to operate and highly practical; doctors can turn on the stable, powerful suction device by simply stepping on the pedal.
This first-generation model debuted on the afternoon of July 7th. After hands-on testing by physicians, it received unanimous praise. “It looks promising so far, but its true effectiveness will only be proven in the field,” said Wong. There will be future improvements based on real use, so as to continuously enhance the efficiency and convenience of equipment at free clinics to better meet frontline needs.
Care Out of Pocket, Instruments Donated with Love
The success of this free dental clinic is the result of selfless contributions and compassionate support from all parties. Tijuana volunteer Jessica Su expressed her heartfelt gratitude as well, saying, “We in Tijuana are truly blessed. Our gratitude goes to doctors from Taiwan who not only paid for their own trip but also donated many valuable medical instruments.”
She specifically mentioned that the latest rapid sterilizing autoclave shipped from Taiwan was jointly donated by Dr. Yi Pang Lee and the owner of a medical equipment company in Taiwan. “This machine is very expensive on the market, yet they generously donated it for our use. It is a tremendous help to the campus’s dental services.”
It is precisely because of Master Cheng Yen's teachings that so many disciples have vowed to cross borders and selflessly dedicate themselves to helping those in need.”
Thorough Preparation
The doctors meticulously inspected every piece of medical equipment to ensure patients with special needs could receive the safest and most appropriate care. From heavy generators and machines to delicate dental instruments, no detail was overlooked. Only thorough preparation could guarantee smooth treatment for each unique case.
After assuring all equipment was in good condition, the team visited the home of a volunteer named Fabian in the evening, and were graciously received with coffee and snacks.
Volunteers also arranged a special visit to the family of a pastor they have long cared for. They gained firsthand insight into their living conditions as well as physical and emotional needs, ensuring the upcoming free clinic would be more accessible to the local community.
The preparatory work and visits laid a solid foundation for the four-day free clinic, commencing on July 9, through which the medical team would deliver tailored, professional dental care to individuals at the Tzu Chi Campus, special needs households, and convents.
Love and compassion soared throughout this medical mission that transcends borders to deliver care to Tijuana’s most vulnerable community members, and sow hope for the future. Help empower us with the resources to do more.
