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Tzu Chi International Medical Association Tzu Chi Zamboanga 2010.10.10 10 Years of Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives with Great Love Written by Erika Vizcarra A decade of accumulating goodness by using great love in easing the suffering of the sick and the poor in a war-torn city was one joyous cause of celebration for the volunteers of Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines Zamboanga Liaisons Office on the magical date of October 10, 2010. On its 10th anniversary celebration on October 10, 2010, Tzu Chi Foundation, Philippines’ Liaisons Office in Zamboanga City in the island of Mindanao paved way for more blessings to flow in their homeland as it donates an advanced blood bankequipment, which worth over 2 million Peso, to the local chapter of Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). After finding out that the local chapter of PNRC only had one small household freezer used to store donated blood and plasma which is used to treat dengue patients especially those with complications, Tzu Chi Zamboanga volunteers immediately sent out messages to solicit for funds for the purchase of blood bank equipment such as brand new plasma freezer, autoclave, platelet agitator, Tzu Chi Worldwide Medical Missions blood sealer, blood mixer and plasma extractor to improve the blood supply of the organization to locals with dengue and other blood-related cases in the city. The target amount was reached in two months. With these new apparatuses, the local Red Cross will be able to respond efficiently to the demand for safe and adequate human blood for the long run. Using the plasma freezer, for example, blood products will be preserved for up to six months as it would only last for five days in the past with the old equipment of the organization. Zamboanga City officials headed by Mayor Celso Lobregat, who have been busy in celebrating the Hermosa Festival 2010 that marks the feast of the city’s patroness Nuestra Señora de la Virgen del Pilar, together with Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, were at the event that witnessed the untiring dedication of Tzu Chi volunteers in saving mankind from their miseries. “This turnover ceremony comes at a very auspicious time not only because we are celebrating Fiesta Hermosa but also Tzu Chi Foundation is celebrating today, the 10th day of October, which is the tenth month, this year 2010. Much has Tzu Chi Great Love Eye Center brings hopes to a lot of patients with very bad economic condition. Tzu Chi volunteers in Zamboanga donated a two million Peso freezer in preserving blood. Tzu Chi Medical Care Vol.12 AUGUST 2011 72 73 Tzu Chi Medical Care Vol.12 AUGUST 2011

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Page 1: Tzu Chi International Medical Associationapp.tzuchi.com.tw/file/tcmed/201108-12e/72-93.pdf · Tzu Chi International Medical Association Tzu Chi Zamboanga 2010.10.10 10 Years of Restoring

Tzu Chi Worldwide Medical Missions

Tzu Chi International Medical Association

Tzu Chi Zamboanga

2010.10.10

10 Years of Restoring Hope, Rebuilding Lives with Great Love

Written by Erika Vizcarra

A decade of accumulating goodness

by using great love in easing the suffering

of the sick and the poor in a war-torn city

was one joyous cause of celebration for

the volunteers of Tzu Chi Foundation,

Philippines Zamboanga Liaisons Office on

the magical date of October 10, 2010.

On its 10th anniversary celebration on

October 10, 2010, Tzu Chi Foundation,

Philippines’ Liaisons Office in Zamboanga

City in the island of Mindanao paved

way for more blessings to flow in their

homeland as it donates an advanced

blood bankequipment, which worth over

2 million Peso, to the local chapter of

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

Af ter f ind ing out that the loca l

chapter of PNRC only had one small

household freezer used to store donated

blood and plasma which is used to treat

dengue patients especially those with

complicat ions, Tzu Chi Zamboanga

volunteers immediately sent out messages

to solicit for funds for the purchase of

blood bank equipment such as brand new

plasma freezer, autoclave, platelet agitator,

Tzu Chi Worldwide Medical Missions

blood sealer, blood mixer and plasma

extractor to improve the blood supply of

the organization to locals with dengue and

other blood-related cases in the city.

The target amount was reached in

two months. With these new apparatuses,

the local Red Cross wi l l be able to

respond efficiently to the demand for safe

and adequate human blood for the long

run. Using the plasma freezer, for example,

blood products will be preserved for up

to six months as it would only last for five

days in the past with the old equipment of

the organization.

Zamboanga City officials headed by

Mayor Celso Lobregat, who have been

busy in celebrating the Hermosa Festival

2010 that marks the feast of the city’s

patroness Nuestra Señora de la Virgen del

Pilar, together with Department of Tourism

Secretary Alberto Lim, were at the event

that witnessed the untiring dedication of

Tzu Chi volunteers in saving mankind from

their miseries.

“This turnover ceremony comes at a

very auspicious time not only because we

are celebrating Fiesta Hermosa but also

Tzu Chi Foundation is celebrating today,

the 10th day of October, which is the

tenth month, this year 2010. Much has

Tzu Chi Great Love Eye Center brings hopes to a lot of patients with very bad economic condition.

Tzu Chi volunteers in Zamboanga donated a two million Peso freezer in preserving blood.

Tzu Chi Medical Care Vol.12 AUGUST 201172 73Tzu Chi Medical Care Vol.12 AUGUST 2011

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Tzu Chi International Medical Association

been said about the so-called history of

the 10-10-10-10, but whether or not it has

the magic of success, today’s turnover

ceremony is indeed very providential.

Please extend our very deep gratitude and

appreciation to Master Cheng Yen,” said

Mayor Lobregat.

Love Speaks for Itself

G re e t i n g t h e v i s i t i n g T z u C h i

volunteers were the homey ambience

of the Tzu Chi Great Love Eye Center.

Inaugurated on January 18, 2008, the

1,000 square meter, 2-story eye center

is dedicated to saving the s ight of

underprivileged locals of Zamboanga

and the neighboring provinces through

free include cataract surgery, pterygium

scrapping cases, squint operation, free

check up on eye defects, free distribution

of eyeglasses/reading glasses.

As they toured the mini-hospital,

Tzu Chi volunteers met the first corneal

t r ansp lan t bene f i c i a r y o f Tzu Ch i

Zamboanga that has become a staff of the

eye center. When 25-year-old Raymond

Sinining was born, his cornea was already

damaged which caused his vision to blur

and held him back in living a normal life

and help with the family income. With

his father as a factory worker who earns

just enough for everyday needs, Sinining,

the eldest among three children, could

only hope for kind-hearted people or

organization to help him.

When he learned about Tzu Chi

Foundat ion f rom a f r iend, S in in ing

quickly approached Tzu Chi volunteers

in Zamboanga for assistance. In 2005,

Raymond Sinining was the first case of cornea transplant of the eye center, now a volunteer.

An amputated diabetic tries out his new prosthesis.

Sinining underwent corneal transplant

under the cooperation of TIMA and Dr.

Ann Cases, head of ZCMC Ophthalmology

Department.

In the past, Sinining barely worked

because of his disease. After recovering

from the operation and when Sinining

could f inal ly perform tasks, Tzu Chi

Zamboanga hired him to work as a staff

at the eye centre which eventually helped

Sinining provide for his family.

Tzu Chi volunteers also visited the

nearby Tzu Chi Great Love Physical

Rehabilitation and Jaipur Foot Prosthesis

Manufacturing Center also inside the

compound of ZCMC. The rehab center,

inaugurated in July 2004, provides a

venue for therapy and adjustment for

those who stil l need fine-tuning with

their foot prosthesis. Fifty-four-year-

old Gregorio Avelido has had diabetes

for 11 years. In April 2009, his right leg

was amputated due to complications

of his disease. Avelido had to depend

on his four children and wife since his

amputation. Tzu Chi volunteers helped

Avelido reclaim a productive life by giving

him free prosthesis. Avelido could not

help but shed tears of joy when he tried

on the new artificial leg he received. “This

will change my life greatly from the days

without a leg. This artificial leg will help

In Tzu Chi Great Love Physical Rehabilitation and Jaipur Foot Prosthesis Manufacturing Center, a technician guides the visitors.

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me earn a livelihood by selling bread or

dishes. I am so happy and thankful to Tzu

Chi Foundation and the Lord,” Avelido

said.

Tzu Chi volunteers also met Rommel

Santos, 31, who used to be a drug-

dependent s ince the age of 16. In

2003, Santos was shot at the right leg

while trying to defend a friend during

a fight. Last year, after meeting Tzu

Chi Foundation and receiving free foot

prosthesis from the organization, Santos’

life gradually changed. He then enrolled for

a free training course in garment sewing

offered by the local social welfare office.

The great love and compassion shown

to him by Tzu Chi volunteers also moved

him to quit his drug use and start to walk

on the right path. Having met people who

give selflessly beyond societal, religious

or racial differences, Santos realized that

it was time that he change his life for

the better. “I did not expect to meet Tzu

Chi Foundation who gave me a better

direction in life. I thought my life was

hopeless until I received a free artificial leg.

I’ve quit drugs so I am stable now, and

not disabled anymore,” said Santos who

came to the manufacturing center to have

his prosthesis adjusted.

The center’s head, Dr. Raymond

Sator, expressed his joy in meeting these

people whose lives they helped change,

saying, “It’s an inspiration for me to learn

the stories of these patients who strive to

live their lives. Giving them hope brings

me happiness. There are a lot of inspiring

stories among the amputees, here who

had a life full of depression and feelings of

worthlessness but is now twards a better

and meaningful life.”

Dr. Sator dreams to reach out to more

people in neighbouring provinces for he

knows the incapacity of many amputees

to acquire prostheses which cost from

P12, 000 to P30, 000 in private facilities.

“People here in Mindanao are poor

and their situation is worsened by the war,

they could not afford to buy even a pair

of slippers what more prosthesis. So this

program is really a great thing. As long as

there are people in need, we will continue

with our service,” Dr. Sator concluded.

Dr. Raymond Sator is a member of TIMA for more than 10 years.

St. Haniya City, Paraguay

2010.01.31~2010.06.26

The Poor Learn to Share and Feel Rich in Mind

Written by Lili Hsu

People living in the Banado Sur area

of St. Haniya City (Grandpa’s Kitchen)

are struggling on a daily basis. There is

a huge gap in their education level as

well as income in Paraguay. The wealthy

have a much better chance of receiving

education while 90% of the people here

live by collecting trash. Thanks to the

consistent support of Tzu Chi members

in Paraguay, people have seen the

improvement of their health and mind in

the first half of this year.

Making Progress - Honoring Humanity

The last day of each month is a

free clinic day. On January 31, there

was one scheduled in Banado Sur

area, better known as the “Grandpa’s

Kitchen”. Volunteer Mariza made a big

difference in this particular location.

Everyone prays sincerely before the clinic starts. Tzu Chi volunteers donated a wheelchair to an amputee.

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She continuously reaches out to non-

profit organizations and through local

newspapers and rad io s ta t ions to

recruit volunteers. As a result there are

doctors and physical therapists coming

to the “Grandpa’s Kitchen” twice a

week helping children with Poliomyelitis.

Besides medical service and Chinese

acupuncture, Tzu Chi local volunteers

have organized food drives, wheelchairs

donation programs, supplies and many

outreach service in the communities.

It is a great pleasure to witness the

improvements in this area. Besides free

clinics, Tzu Chi involves in improving

the living condition and environmental

protection. Since 90% of the people

in Banado Sur co l l ec t t rash fo r a

l iving, healthy living is a top priority.

Mosquitoes and flies are the primary

concerns for health hazards in the area.

Tzu Chi volunteers visit each home to

access the condition. The ones with

good condition wil l be honored with

a not ice on a bul let in board in the

“Grandpa’s Kitchen”. This is not only

an honor to the household but also an

encouragement for others to follow the

example.

The Cared Families Spare Their Love - Assisting Children with

Osteomalacia

During Chinese New Year there

were on ly four Tzu Ch i vo lunteers

available for a scheduled

f ree med ica l f a i r and re l i e f i n

Asuncion. Thankfully, with the Tzu Youth

G ro u p a n d o t h e r v o l u n t e e r s ’

coordination, the event on February 28

was able to proceed.

A g randmother and her seven

grandchi ldren came for assistance.

It hurt to see these children starving

and in need of basic living supplies.

The mother of the children never cared

about the children or their grandmother

and was nowhere to be found. Volunteer

Mariza suggested giving a 10lb bag of

noodles to the family for their immediate

Volunteer Mother Sui is more than a volunteer but a good friend to Tzu Chi.

need. This family will need long term

care and assistance, and volunteer

Miriam offered to get them some tea,

rice, and oil.

After completion of the free clinic,

we visited a couple who moved from

the inland to Banada Sur. Their home

was less than 177 square feet, and was

made out of wood boards. Among

their three chi ldren, two boys have

Ostecmalacia. They urgently need milk

to increase their calcium intake. The

15 year old is in third grade and the 13

years old will enter the first grade. They

had no school bags, books or learning

supplies. Marta promised to buy them

school suppl ies to s tar t the i r new

classes. The rubber tires of the older

boy’s wheel chair, received from Tzu

Chi years ago, were worn out. We gave

a new wheelchair to the younger child

and noted to repair the worn wheelchair

on our next visit.

Carmen Silvia’s son was injured in

a motorcycle accident. We supplied

his family with six cases of milk to help

his recovery. When we visited Carmen

Silvia’s son, Marisa asked if Carmen

Silvia would give half of the milk to the

children with Osteomalacia. Carmen

Si lv ia happi ly agreed. Now that her

son’s condit ion had improved, she

wanted to thank Tzu Chi, and happily

share the milk with those who need it.

The last Sunday of each month

is supposed to be a free clinic day in

Grandpa’s Kitchen. However, Apri l

11 happened to be in conflict with the

Tzu Chi Paraguay Asuncion chapter

first volunteer training. It was also on

Easter Sunday, which is important to a

population made up of 80% Catholic.

Therefore, the free clinic day was moved

to the second week.

After the c l in ic, a l l gathered at

the Grandpa’s Kitchen to share the

story of ‘bamboo era’ and read Jing

S i Aphor i sms . Fam i l i es s t rugg led

with finance unlike the wealthy ones

have less opportuni ty in educat ion

and therefore less opportunity to be

Tzu Chi gave a granny with seven grandchildren five kg of noodles.

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employed. As the bad karma goes on,

the rich are getting richer while the poor

are getting poorer.

After I joined Tzu Chi, I saw different

facets of the society. I deeply feel that

we can bring the culture of Tzu Chi to

poor families. Teaching them to save

100 Guarani every day which is not

a big burden but it wil l cultivate the

habit of saving. Furthermore, when the

bamboo bank is full, we can help others

as well. When requesting assistance

from others, we have our palms up.

When we give a full bamboo bank to the

needy, we have our palms down to offer

help to others.

People Appreciate Chinese Medicine Acupuncture

In April, Tzu Chi volunteers noticed

Roman Ortiz while promoting street

cleaning in Niadu New City. Ortiz could

not speak due to a stroke. When we

visited him at his home, he and his wife

were staying in a dark room. Ortiz not

only could not talk, but kept drooling.

We encouraged him to come to the

Grandpa’s Kitchen at the end of each

month for acupuncture treatment during

our free clinic. There had been several

cases of stroke patients successfully

treated by Dr. Rui-Cheng Chong.

When Roman Ortiz came to the

free clinic in May for acupuncture, Dr.

Chong performed acupuncture. His

blood pressure is still high and hands

and feet are cold probably due to a lack

of exercise since he had the stroke.

However today, he had the opportunity

to interact with others. His living space

is no longer just the little dark room. We

believe this change is good for him, and

with time, he will recover.

63 year old Antonio Ayala has been

coming for acupuncture since August

2008. He is very sat isf ied with the

treatment. He used to feel pain in his

knee and had headaches, sometimes

he even lost vision. Since he started

acupuncture, the pain has gone. He

said that he collects trash for a living.

He has two sons and one daughter. The

older son is 20 year old, and works in

a factory. The younger son has Polio,

so his wife cannot go to work but take

care of him. The 23-year old daughter is

working as a maid. Ayala often loses his

vision because he needs to replace the

retina in his left eye. Luckily, he found

a non-profit organization through the

Venezuela embassy that can arrange a

treatment plan.

The world is f i l led with love and

warmth. Many non-profit organizations,

like Tzu Chi, are helping others quietly.

B y g a t h e r i n g p e o p l e ’s s t r e n g t h ,

together, we can accompl ish great

goodness.

New volunteer, Licha, helps patients with a sphygmomanometer.

Acupunturist, Dr. Chong(right) gives bamboo boxes as a gift to the locals. Volunteer Fujin(middle) is also Dr. Chong’s good helper.

Volunteers register patients.

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Sri Lanka 2010.08.06~08.08

The Third Joint Medical Outreach by Singapore

Written by Lim Chwee Lian, Yan Su Yuan & Lee Caixia

Translated by Nai Sheah Qin, Chow Chung Yee, Yeap Szu Ling & Yang

WentingCompiled by Nai Sheah Qin

Photos by Law Sook Fong

S i x y e a r s s i n c e i t s a r r i v a l i n

Hambantota when Sri Lanka was hit by

the Asian tsunami in December 2004,

Tzu Chi is now expanding its charitable

footprints from the coastal town to the

capital city of Colombo.

Following the two large scale free

clinics in August 2009 and March 2010 in

Ratnapura District, the Singapore Tzu Chi

chapter and its medical team once again

returned to Sri Lanka in August 2010 to

treat the sick and needy. This time, the

clinic was held in Karawanella, a town

around two hour’s drive from Colombo.

Nestled up in the hill, Karawanella

town is s i tuated in Sabaragamuwa

Province l ike Ratnapura. The terrain

around Karawanel la Base Hospital ,

which hosted the clinic this time, is hardly

smooth given its hilly footing. As the one-

storey building at the front of the hospital

compound was deemed too old and

shabby, the Base Hospital decided to

allocate two levels in two newer buildings

at the back for the Tzu Chi Free Clinic.

Setting Up

Prior to the outreach, a 30-strong

advance team was dispatched on Aug 4

to set up the clinic site. Thanks to their

nimble fingers, the space allocated by

the Base Hospital was transformed into

a mini hospital complete with surgical,

ophthalmological, and dental equipment

along with two consultation rooms.

Lee Hui Tian, who is experienced in

utility/logistic, described the Karawanella

Base Hospital as being backward in

comparison with the previous Kahawatta

Base Hospital in Ratnapura. “Luckily we

came prepared with sufficient tools and

extension wires; otherwise we would have

fumbled through our way.”

Brother Lee and his fel low team

members have in fact conducted a pre-

mission survey to the hospital back

in June 2010. Shock was their f irst

impression of the hospital facilities: the

electric generator was still in use after 50

years and could hardly produce sufficient

electricity; dozens of spoilt wires and

fluorescent lamps were left unrepaired;

and most of the air-conditioners were not

functioning. To ensure surgical operations

and consultation sessions could run

smoothly throughout the clinic, the utility/

logistic team arrived at the hospital two

days before the free clinic to equip the

clinic space with brightly lighted rooms

and cool air-conditionings.

On a ladder, Hong De Qian stood

quietly and carefully, wiping the wall. He

then moved on to clean the shutters and

the 30 ceiling fans of the five partitioned

spaces. Neither a medic nor one who

regularly does house chores at home,

the volunteer who’s on his first Tzu Chi

medical outreach was clearly putting in

The utility/logistic team arrived two days earlier to install electrical wiring so that there would be sufficient electrical supply over the course of the free clinic.

Photo depicts a volunteer cleans the window before the free clinic.

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his heart and soul in the cleaning task.

“The fans are very dusty and there are

blood spots on the wall. We have to keep

the surgical rooms clean and hygienic

to protect the patients’ health,” said the

volunteer with sweat running down his

temples.

On the afternoon of Aug 5, one day

before the free clinic, the logistic team

and fellow volunteers finished setting up

and tidying the environment. Everyone

then chipped in to help with the packing

of medicine, which had arrived late due to

some hiccup.

By then, everyone was ready for the

next day.

Early Queue by Eager Patients

Taking the ear ly morning f l ight,

the medical team, which comprised

90 Singaporean and s ix Malays ian

TIMA volunteers, arrived at Colombo at

daybreak of Aug 6 and found themselves

at their hilly destination after two hours

of a winding bus ride. Upon arriving,

the medical personnel and volunteers

immediately set out to make final touch

ups to their respective stations.

The sight of everyone drenched in

sweat was a testament to the intense

heat in Sri Lanka. With sleeves rolled up,

the doctors were seen helping unload

and install medical devices, while others

helped arrange the drugs. The quiet

little town was instantly bustling with the

activity of these foreign visitors.

Albeit the free clinic was scheduled to

commence in the afternoon, there were

already long queues of patients at the

waiting area early that morning. Some

had come from as far as the southeastern

coastal town of Hambantota, while others

had made their journey in the middle of

the night hoping to be consulted earlier.

A Mother’s Selfless Love

Tea worker S. Kaliswari and her

14-year-old son left home at 3am and

rode their three-wheeler for more than an

hour to reach the clinic site.

For the past 15 years, the 38-year-

old mother has had lumps growing all

over her body and face - the one on her

left wrist had even grown to the size of a

fist. Her son, M. Mandakumara, too has

a huge hyperplasia on his upper lip and a

walnut-sized lump on his left arm.

The teen had been the laughing

stock of his classmates back in primary

school because of h is appearance

and his mother. Troubled by low self-

esteem, he refused to go to school after

graduating. When the anxious Kaliswari

learned that tumour surgery is available

at the free clinic, she was hopeful that the

doctors would be able to relieve her son’s

suffering. And they did.

A f t e r a n e x c i s i o n o p e r a t i o n

and a plastic surgery, the lumps on

Mandakumara’s left arm and upper lip

were removed. Happy with his new look,

Mandakumara said he plans to go back to

school after he recovers.

Holding her palms together thanking

the doctors and nurses, Kaliswari said

she is going to bring her elder son

who’s inflicted with the same disease

A Singapore volunteer guides the local volunteers through microscope installation.

Local interpreters are in place to explain the services of the free clinic to the patients at the waiting area.

Mandakumara has been suffering from low self-esteem for years because of his lip disfigurement. His selfless mother forwent the opportunity to undergo surgery so that her sons could receive adequate care.

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for treatment the next day. Although she

herself hoped to be treated, the mother

declined the opportunity of having surgery

knowing that she may be too weak to take

care of her boys if she too was operated

on. The loving mother is an exemplar of

selfless love.

During the three days of the free

clinic, both lymphoma excision and hernia

surgery were the most common surgical

operations performed - the surgical team

operated on a total of 108 lymphoma

patients and 15 hernia patients.

Restoring Vision, Restoring Hope

Located next to dental area is the

room for ophthalmology. Thanks to

the logistic team who transformed the

bare wards into visual examination and

cataract examination areas and a surgical

room brightly lit and sterilized, where the

ophthalmologists and nurses were able to

begin check ups and tests at 11am.

The villagers have to undergo three

stages of tests so as to provide the

medics with full information on their eye

condition. At least 50 villagers underwent

the eye tests and 13 of them met the

requirement for treatment on Aug 6.

41 patients underwent surgery on the

7th while another 19 were operated on

the 8th. Three days of medical services

restored vision and hope to 73 patients.

78-year-o ld Nona is a cataract

patient who used to weave straw mats

for a living, but hasn’t been able to do

so since becoming blind. Together with

her 92-year-old rubber tapper husband,

the two have raised their children by

the mountainside all their life. Besides

tending to household chores and weaving

straw mats, a younger Nona had to help

her husband at the rubber plantation

occasionally. Ten years ago, Nona met

with an accident which shrank her leg by

two inches. She was bedridden for eight

months and had to rely on a walking stick

to move around since.

Nona used to take only four days to

weave a large mat, which could fetch a

price of 250 Rupees (about US$2.30). As

her aging condition was made worse after

she contracted cataract in her left eye

two years ago, she needed to double the

time to complete a mat. Her income had

mainly been spent on her treatment and

living expenses, with part of it donated to

temples or poor families. She knew that

even if she does not spend any money,

she would need to save up to 15 months

to be able to afford cataract removal

surgery. Some time in early July 2010,

she decided to send a surgery application

letter to the Lion’s Club. Surprisingly, she

received a confirmation letter two weeks

later, notifying her that her case will be

transferred to an organization named Tzu

Chi.

On the afternoon of the second day of

the free clinic on Aug 7, Nona successfully

underwent cataract surgery and was

arranged to return the next day for post-

surgery check up. The next morning, when

her bandage and eye patch was removed,

the senior immediately recognized her

daughter-in-law and grandson. They

broke into wide grins as Nona was also

able to recognize her family members in

their family photo.

Nona was happy as she can once

again weave straw mat and trays from

the comfort of her home and make bigger

contributions to charity.

Impressed with the mobil ity and

discipline of the team members, Vasantha

Liyanage, the hospital superintendent,

said that the free clinic is a blessing for

the locals because such free treatment

is rare in a country where medical care is

expensive.

Patients at the ophthalmology area have to undergo three stages of tests so as to provide the medics with full information on their eye condition.

Dr. See-Toh Kai Mun, who learnt of Tzu Chi's medical efforts in Sri Lanka from a televised news, volunteered to serve at the free clinic.

Dr. Kok Wen Tang (right) carefully treating a patient's oral condition.

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The operation cost for a cataract

patient, he cited, which includes medical

fee and the intraocular lens to replace the

eye’s natural lens, can be up to 20,000

Rupees (about US$181) and easi ly

exceeds the average Sri Lankan monthly

income of 7000-8000 Rupees (US$63-

US$72). What’s more, a simple one-day

surgery usually takes two to three weeks

to complete in Sri Lanka. Mr Liyanage

thinks that Tzu Chi’s service will help save

the patients a lot of inconvenience.

First Ever Oral Check-upfor Buddhist Monk

Moving to the denta l room, a l l

seven dentists were racing against time

to perform tooth extraction and tooth

filling. Reluctant to rest as both are time-

consuming treatments, the dentists,

together with four assistants and four

volunteers, successfully provided tooth

filling for 55 patients on the first day. A

total of 546 dental cases were treated

throughout the three days.

One of the patients that came by was

60-year-old Venerable N. Seelawimala.

The Venerable came across the Tzu Chi

banner hanged at the town area near his

temple and decided to have his first ever

dental check-up at the free clinic.

As the Venerable does not speak

English, a local dentist who happened

to came by to observe the free clinic

offered to help bridge the communication

gap. Thanks to her fluent translation,

Singapore dentist See-Toh Kai Mun was

able to conduct the check-up smoothly

and diagnosed that the Venerable has

periodontosis and severe tooth loosening.

Dr. See-Toh did a thorough scaling for

the Venerable and shared with him about

proper oral care.

“What your organization is doing

is very meaningful as it is a way of

community service. We in the monastery

seldom visit a dentist so I hope my fellow

monastic members could come for oral

check-up too,” said the Venerable.

The attending dentist, Dr. See-Toh Kai

Mun, was one of the three dentists who’re

on their first medical outreach with Tzu

Chi. When he heard about the mission

that he first saw on a televised news

last year (the news was reporting on the

previous medical outreach to Sri Lanka),

the young dentist, who had been putting

off his volunteer passion since high school

due to academic and work commitment,

eagerly contacted TIMA expressing his

intention to participate in the outreach.

“Being able to share my knowledge

and care for the rura l Sr i Lankans

throughout these three days is truly a

fruitful experience,” said Dr. See-Toh, who

thinks he ought to count his blessings

for living in a developed country such

as Singapore. He added that Sri Lanka

might seem backward in terms of medical

conditions, but to his surprise, their dental

treatment methods are quite advanced

and the people have better oral care

awareness than he expected.

Healing Hands in the Surgical Room

One night 20 years ago, Muththumari,

then 29 years old, was sleeping soundly,

when the kerosene lamp on her bedside

cabinet toppled and poured the hot oil

directly onto her cheek and chest. The

burning pain was so intense that she

woke up crying and yelling. Without having

her wound properly treated then, her neck

muscles contracted and she was unable

to turn her head since. She also lost her

rubber tapping job as a result.

F i v e y e a r s l a t e r, s h e h a d t h e

The surgical team busy at work.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Poh Him Fong (right) and his team are performing skin grafting on the contracted neck of a burnt patient Muththumari.

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Tzu Chi International Medical Association

opportunity to undergo an operation at a

public hospital but it did not succeed —

her neck muscles even contracted to the

point where head rotation became more

difficult. Considering the fact that she

could not afford the cost for treatment in a

private hospital and also that she had lost

confidence in getting cured, Muththumari

gave up the thought of seeking medical

treatment. 15 years had gone by since.

A few days ago, one of her family

members came back home telling her that

he saw a banner hanging outside the Base

Hospital publicizing an upcoming free

clinic. Her family and neighbours talked

her into trying her luck, so Muththumari

came, albeit with a pinch of salt given her

past disappointment.

Muththumari was later sent into the

operating room and operated by plastic

surgeon Dr Fong Poh Him. A skin graft

harvested from her abdomen was used to

cover her neck wound so that she would

have sufficient muscles to turn her neck

and head. The operation ended two hours

later and Muththumari was sent to the

resting room.

She looked good though her neck

was bandaged and she still felt some pain.

After a brief rest, the Sri Lankan insisted

on personally thanking Dr. Fong, to which

Dr. Fong gave her his blessing and urged

her to get plenty of rest for the wound to

recover.

Now a relieved person, Muththumari

said that she felt extremely lucky to have

met Tzu Chi and she is very grateful to the

Tzu Chi volunteers, doctors and nurses

as they had looked after her “like they

are my parents”. “Many residents are too

poor to afford a surgery. Fortunately, Tzu

Chi people have come to rescue the Sri

Lankan poor like angels from heaven,”

said Muththumari in deep gratitude. “This

is a great relief for every one of us.”

Media Recognition

The free clinic had also attracted local

media attention. Lakbima Daily reported

on the medical outreach on August 7 (last

day of the free clinic) while the National

Television Network and Divaina (Island

Newspaper) also came to cover the event.

During the interviews, Mr. David Liu,

CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore

Branch) and person-in-charge of Tzu

Chi Hambantota office, introduced Tzu

Chi’s effort in Sri Lanka starting with its

permanent housing project in Hambantota

following the Asian Tsunami, to the charity

and medical cases undertook by the local

Tzu Chi office.

The cameraman of National Television

Network , Sa l i ya Gamas ing la , who

requested to film the operating rooms,

was very impressed by the meticulousness

of the makeshift setting and the medical

team’s dedication and professionalism.

Saliya said that this is the first time

that he had ever experienced a large scale

medical mission. “There are many sick

people who cannot afford to see a doctor.

I thank you for coming here to give this

free service to our people.” He was moved

when he learned that all the volunteers,

including the doctors and nurses, financed

their own travel and accommodation

expenses. “I will let my fellow countrymen

know of this charity clinic through my

video,” he said while expressing his wish

to become a volunteer.

TIMA Sri Lanka, Blossoming

At the end of 2009, Sri Lanka Ministry

of Health requested help from Tzu Chi

Foundation to launch a countrywide

programme to combat and prevent

chronic non-communicable diseases.

Tzu Chi Singapore showed their support

by sponsoring four Sri Lankan doctors

to undergo six weeks of training at the

Hualien and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospitals in

Taiwan in from May till July 2010.

Three of the doctors, namely Dr.

The local television news interview Mr. David Lin, CEO of the Tzu Chi Foundation Singapore branch.

Dr. Pathiranage came straight to serve in the free clinic after finishing his hospital duty at six in the morning of August 8.

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Tzu Chi International Medical Association

Kodagoda, Dr. Panditharatne and Dr.

Sumudu, managed to allocate free time

from their work schedules to take part in

the free clinic this time. They mentioned

that their six-week training in Taiwan

was a memorable experience as staff

and volunteers at the hospitals were

very caring, making them feel at home in

Taiwan. Furthermore, they have gained

invaluable knowledge and experiences

from Tzu Chi Hospital’s very own ‘Chronic

and Non-Commun icab le D iseases

Prevention Program’.

Apa r t f rom med ica l sk i l l s , D r.

Kodagoda was very touched by Tzu Chi’s

concept of “Prioritizing Humanity”. He

said, “When I was in Taiwan, I learned

from Tzu Chi that medical personnel

should not only care for the patients’

physical and emotional health, they should

also be concerned about their family

members. That was really a reminder for

me, as I tend to neglect the caring part

when I treat my patients.”

The ophthalmologist never failed to

be punctual throughout the three-day free

clinic. “This is my third time taking part in

Tzu Chi’s free clinic, but it’s my first time

participating as a TIMA member. Wearing

the TIMA uniform feels different and of

course I am very proud. I really hope that I

can reel in more local volunteers to help in

the free clinic,” said Dr. Kodagoda.

Dr. Pathiranage finished his night shift

at 6am of Aug 8, and yet he still travelled

to free clinic venue with Dr. Sumudu to

serve in the general practice area. “I know

that Tzu Chi members are providing free

health care for our people at the free clinic.

As a doctor, it would be a shame if I let

such a good opportunity slip by,” mused

Dr. Pathiranage.

Dr. Kapila, Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa

Provincial Director of Health Services

and his colleagues, Dr. Tissa Perera,

Super in tendent o f Base Hosp i ta l -

Kahawatta, and Dr. Panditha, Senior

Regist rar o f Communi ty Medic ine,

attended the TIMA Convention in Taiwan

in August 2009 right after the first Tzu Chi

free clinic, and went on to become the

first few TIMA members of Sri Lanka.

Due to the relent less efforts by

Singapore and Sri Lanka volunteers, by

the second free clinic in March 2010,

there were already about 70 local medical

personnel certified as TIMA members,

marking the official beginning of Sri Lanka

TIMA.

Local Seeds Sprouting

Though the free clinic was held at

Karawanella, a district located about two

hours away from Ratnapura, it did not

dampen the spirits of 30 Ratnapura TIMA

nurses who took bus rides to and from

Karawanella throughout the three days

just to serve their fellow countrymen.

These nurses were a great help at the

registration area and the surgery rooms,

but the most important role they played

was as interpreters.

“Tzu Chi Singapore volunteers had to

travel miles to my own country to help out,

so as a local, I feel obliged to stand out

and help my own countrymen. Sri Lanka

has a lot of people living in poverty. The

free clinic is able to provide free treatment,

medication and comfort for our people. I

am very touched with what Tzu Chi has

done for us,” said Nurse Indica.

Chamini, who serves in the eye unit,

chimed in, “After taking part in the free

clinic for three times, I can really feel the

love radiating from the medical staff from

TIMA. I should really learn from them. I

became an official member of TIMA in

March this year. Wearing the uniform

reminds myself to be compassionate

while maintaining my professionalism, and

to serve the patients with extra care and

love.”

The free clinic, which treated a total

of 1880 patients throughout the two-and-

a-half day, was all the more meaningful in

that it inspired like-minded people to join

the ranks in relieving the agony of the Sri

Lankan people.

Mr. David Liu, who superintends

Tzu Chi Singapore and the Hambantota

Tzu Chi Liaison Office in Sri Lanka, said,

“The most important objective of having

free clinics in Sri Lanka is to attract

part icipation from the local medical

personnel. It’s great to note that every time

a free clinic is held, previous volunteers

bring along new volunteers. I think our

years of toiling are starting to yield the

results we hoped for.”

Dr. Kodagoda felt very proud to become a TIMA member and hopes to attract more volunteers to participate in the future.

More and more local Sri Lankan medical personnel join TIMA now.

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