Written by Shuli Lo
Translated by H.B. Qin
Edited by Ariel Tsai
Juvenal Morales of Tijuana, Mexico had lost his sight. On March 1, 2025, He attended a free vision clinic on Tzu Chi’s Tijuana campus and returned home with the help of his daughter after the visit.
“On March 15 of last year, my vision started to deteriorate until I lost it completely. By this January, I was completely blind,” Morales said. “But now, Tzu Chi has appeared in front of me. I hope that Tzu Chi can help me with this problem.”
Dr. Aye's Generous Donation
Volunteers immediately made an appointment with a local ophthalmology hospital for Morales to undergo further examination and treatment. He was examined by the LUZ Foundation, which provides eye care services in Mexico for people with visual impairments, on March 14th, and the doctor prescribed him medication that cost $150 a month. Morales chose not to receive treatment as a result. Morales formerly worked as a cab driver, and was the sole breadwinner in his family. Due to a problem with his ID, he couldn’t receive treatment for diabetes, which then led to his eye condition. When volunteers learned of his ID problem during a home visit, they went to help fix the problem the next day before taking Morales to a clinic to get his blood sugar under control.
Dr. Jennifer Aye, a medical volunteer from the U.S., donated $600 out of her own pocket to help with his treatment, while the Tzu Chi’s Tijuana Campus decided to pay for three months’ medication for Morales, and ask Dr. Aye to examine his condition after that. In order to save some money, the volunteers considered several pharmacies before finding a discount medication at $75 a month, upon which they immediately rushed over to buy three months worth of medication for Morales.
In order for Morales to take it immediately, compassionate volunteers decided to deliver the medicine to his home even though it was a holiday, and taught Morales how to administer the drops.
In addition, the volunteers also planned to purchase laser equipment, which Dr. Aye would be able to use to treat Morales at the next clinic, with the hope of restoring some of his sight.
Action of Hope to Change the Future
Tzu Chi’s Tijuana Campus in Mexico regularly provides free vision clinics for local residents. With love and professionalism, local volunteers and volunteers from Tzu Chi USA’s Headquarters provide vision checkups and eyeglasses for local elementary school students and some care recipients that need special attention.
Most of the medical and other volunteers come from the Los Angeles area. Due to the distance between the two places, Tzu Chi volunteers started out at 5am in order to pick up volunteers who live in different locations in Los Angeles, so as to prepare for the vision clinic that was to provide checkups and eyeglasses fitting for students of several Tijuana elementary schools and care recipients.
Tzu Chi volunteers have been dedicated to helping the disadvantaged in the area, so that local children’s vision problems could be identified and corrected as early as possible, to help them live a better life and do better in school.
Since the free vision clinics started, many students have not only experienced academic improvement, but also improvement to their quality of life! In that regard, Tzu Chi volunteers are not only hosting clinics, but also taking action to change someone’s life!
This clinic aimed to provide vision checkup and eyeglasses to students from Tzu Chi Elementary School and Mercy School, as well as local care recipients. Mercy School is located in a remote area and has been receiving help from Tzu Chi’s Tijuana Campus, in the forms of dental, western medicine and vision clinics; volunteers have also sent backpacks and supplies to students from impoverished families.
Local volunteers and staff from Tzu Chi’s campus have become accustomed to working together. They began preparing for the event before volunteers from the US arrived. Everything was in order, so that both teams could begin working at the clinic right away after joining forces.
First Vision Checkup
Tzu Chi Elementary School principal Graciala Sanchez waited at the campus early in the morning. She said this was the second time that her students – 30 on this day – came to the Tzu Chi campus for a vision clinic. After some students received eyeglasses last time and corrected their vision, there was a noticeable improvement in their academic performance. Mexican families usually have many children. With two, three, or more children at home, the cost of getting eyeglasses could be a great financial burden, and Tzu Chi is commendable for the help they provide.
About six months ago, I saw a group of students at my school had received eyeglasses, and I saw their academic performance improve.
Sandra Jocelin Luna is a mother of three. Her children are ages two, four and five. She learned about Tzu Chi through Mercy School. She didn’t know that her oldest son was blind in one eye until he kept falling. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the resources and the financial support to change the situation. But now, with Tzu Chi’s help, her son could correct his eyesight. The volunteers were also worried about the other two children, and in order to detect and treat any problems as early as possible, also checked her daughter’s vision.
I find Tzu Chi volunteers' teaching great. They are kind and caring. They take practical actions to show how much they care about our children's eyesight. I love that.
Help with Referrals and Follow-up
Ivette Beltran, a Tzu Chi Elementary School parent, said: “I brought my daughter, Elieth Sanchez, for her first vision checkup. She’s in the first grade, and she’s six years old. Honestly, we’re very excited because, thanks to Tzu Chi, my daughter is able to get her eyeglasses today. She needs them to improve her vision. I feel very happy because today she got her eyeglasses”.
Mayra Crèctti, another Tzu Chi Elementary School parent, said, “I brought my daughter to Tzu Chi. I came here today because she told us about the help on eyeglasses. We hope that all children can get the help. I have known Tzu Chi for three years, and now I am here. I am grateful because you support us and help children who need help. My daughter needs eyeglasses, and we hope to get help soon.”
Among the patients who came to the free clinic for checkups were those who were almost blind due to work-related injuries or eye diseases caused by diet. Tzu Chi volunteers referred them to the LUZ Foundation, the largest ophthalmology hospital in the area, for further diagnosis and treatment. After the free clinic, the volunteers went to the homes of some care recipients, to find out if they were taking their medication and if their vision was improving, and urged them to keep track of their conditions.
The Hope of Seeing Again
Leobordo, a patient who worked as a welder for many years, has almost completely lost vision in his left eye due to long-term exposure to bright light and heat. He is now retired and has no insurance coverage. He hopes to get help from Tzu Chi.
Providing eye care services to residents in remote towns and villages is the mission of the volunteers from Tzu Chi’s Tijuana Campus. They are dedicated to providing the fastest and most effective services to local residents in the hope of changing the latter’s lives. The volunteers are truly admirable for their step-by-step work in achieving this goal.
