Written by Shuli Lo
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ida Eva Zielinska
On December 20, 2025, Tzu Chi Tijuana Campus in Tijuana, Mexico, held a free vision care event at the campus. Volunteers collaborated with Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) optometrist Dr. Lina Lin and a team of instructors from the Optometry Assistant program at CECATI 144 (Centro de Capacitación para el Trabajo Industrial No. 144) to provide vision screenings and eyeglass fittings for students and local residents. The event combined medical expertise and vocational education to help under-resourced students and local residents see clearly and support eye health through early detection of vision problems and eye disease, with guidance and referrals when needed.
A Visit That Sparked Collaboration
In June 2025, Tzu Chi volunteers in Tijuana visited CECATI 144 to learn about local vocational training options for students graduating from the Classroom of Hope, a Tzu Chi Tijuana Campus education support program. During that visit, they met Virginia Rivas, an instructor in the school’s Optometry Assistant program. Her husband, who also teaches at CECATI 144, trains students in eyeglass repair.
The conversation quickly became more than an information exchange. As the volunteers shared Tzu Chi’s long-term commitment to education and support for under-resourced families, Rivas felt drawn to the same spirit of service. Soon after, the volunteers invited Rivas and her husband to the Tzu Chi Tijuana Campus. “We were invited to see a vision screening event,” she recalled. “We saw the volunteers’ dedication there. Since then, we’ve been coming here regularly.”
Bringing Vocational Skills Into the Classroom
Since July 2025, Virginia Rivas and her husband have formally joined Tzu Chi’s free vision care team, assisting patients with basic checkups. Starting in August, they partnered with Classroom of Hope students to teach them how to adjust and repair eyeglasses, bringing practical vocational skills into the learning environment. In addition to supporting the monthly vision exam process, Rivas also assists with vision screenings, including visual acuity measurements and data recording.
“I became a volunteer because I admire the work Tzu Chi does. I believe giving and helping others is our instinct. I feel incredibly happy working here with everyone,” said Rivas. She also expressed gratitude for Tzu Chi’s consistent monthly invitations and trust, adding, “I chose Tzu Chi because you’ve accomplished remarkable things in our country, especially helping communities most in need.”
Tzu Chi brings not only hope but also love. This love is evident in the actions of volunteers and in the young people, the students and children who come to receive assistance.
A Doctor Dedicated to Eye Care
The scope of Tzu Chi’s free vision services in Tijuana has expanded from the initial Classroom of Hope to Tzu Chi Elementary School, and further to four nearby elementary, middle, and high schools, reaching more students. Through free eye exams and eyeglass adjustments, the team helps ease learning challenges for children who cannot afford eyeglasses because of family financial constraints, or whose glasses are damaged and cannot be replaced.
TIMA optometrist Dr. Lina Lin visits the Tzu Chi Tijuana Campus each month to conduct vision exams for students and local residents. These regular visits support early detection of vision problems and provide accurate medical information for patients who may need further treatment. Although the campus currently cannot perform eye surgeries, patients leave feeling reassured after understanding their condition and next steps, appreciating the doctors’ dedication and care.
Early Detection and Care Make a Difference
Beyond screenings and eyeglass fittings, the monthly exams can uncover serious vision threats and offer families clear next steps. Dr. Lina Lin shared that a 42-year-old woman sought help at a free vision care event. One eye was nearly blind, and vision in the other was deteriorating. The exam revealed diabetes and retinal detachment. Although her older child works, she still has a younger son in school. Early intervention could help prevent further vision loss and protect the family’s future stability.
The free vision care service has also identified many students with farsightedness and astigmatism. While some cases appear linked to genetic factors or early development, the team also noted that inadequate lighting, challenging study environments, and poor posture can contribute to eye strain and may worsen existing vision problems over time.
In addition to screenings, doctors and volunteers provided vision care education, encouraging children to eat more fruits and vegetables, reduce sugary foods, and maintain regular exercise to help protect their eyesight through healthy daily habits.
When Surgery Is Out of Reach
Maria Azucena Guru Ibarras was a new patient at the free vision care event. Living with diabetes, she previously worked at a gas station. A year ago, gasoline accidentally splashed into her eyes and was not flushed out promptly, leading to gradual vision loss. “Last year, I noticed my right eye’s vision starting to decline,” she explained.
Ibarras is covered by social insurance and has visited hospitals multiple times. Although a doctor said she needed surgery, the hospital indicated it could not be arranged because the government “doesn’t have the budget” for it. She was even told that her right eye was blind and incurable. More alarmingly, her left eye also began experiencing vision changes three months ago.
After an examination by Dr. Lina Lin, it was determined that Ibarras’s right eye had developed a retinal detachment and that her left eye also required urgent surgery. “I came here seeking help because I truly cannot afford the surgery costs,” Ibarras said. “It’s too expensive.” Her situation resonated deeply with the volunteers present. That same afternoon, they visited her home to learn more about her needs and plan follow-up assistance.
Hope Comes Into Focus
One of the students who came for a vision screening was 14-year-old Carlos, a middle school student who arrived with his two sisters. The younger sister had previously received glasses but had accidentally lost them, while Carlos was receiving his first eye exam. “My vision has a problem,” he said. “When I look at things far away, they’re blurry.” Because he sits in the back of the classroom, he often can’t see the blackboard clearly, which affects his studies. After the exam, Carlos expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am very grateful to Tzu Chi,” as he learned more about his vision and next steps.
This free vision care event offered more than screenings. It brought medical expertise and practical skills together, with Dr. Lina Lin and Tzu Chi volunteers working alongside CECATI 144 (Centro de Capacitación para el Trabajo Industrial No. 144) instructors and Classroom of Hope students. From first exams to early detection and follow-up support, the effort helped children and families take the next step toward healthier vision and a more stable path at school and at home.
