Written by: Wang Yin-Xiu Photographed by: Guo Qiu-Lan Translated by: George Lin Proofread by: Agness Tsao

The six lecturers shared all kinds of challenges and bitter moods that the medical team had encountered in Mexico. From left: William Keh, Steven Voon, Deng Bo-Ren, Yeh Tian-Hao, Mary Keh, Kenneth Liao.

During break time at 7:50am, the relaxing and lively music of “Everyone does recycling” was playing in the Lecture Sutra Hall, and all participants were singing and dancing, Emcee also urged all TIMA members to implement environmental protection thoroughly. A-Ming of DaAi TV was on stage for a live broadcast, and asked everyone: "On the second day of TIMA conference, Dr. Pachauri from India indicated that there will be no ice in the Arctic by 2050. Can you make the change in time?" Everyone said: "Yes, we can make it." A-Ming further questioned: "How are you going to achieve it?" Everyone replied: "Being vegetarian diet to love the Earth. Doing more exercise. Campaign the activities of vegetarianism to love Earth."

The second course punctually began at 8:20 was "Love in Mexico." Mexico was hit by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on September 19, 2017. The disaster was very devastating, and Tzu Chi volunteers immediately offered assistance. At the moment of the first anniversary of that earthquake, six lecturers from the U.S. East Coast, West Coast, and Taiwan shared how they united the hearts of the affected victims to let them get back on their feet again.

Hundreds of people died in the earthquake. Tzu Chi immediately entered the disaster area after the quake. TIMA members and the US medical team also held more than a dozen of free clinics since December 2017, benefiting more than 9,400 people.

William Keh of US medical team said: "The earthquake was nearly one year old. Ever since the earthquake happened, Tzu Chi has always been there. The affected area is very extensive. One of the most important points is to recruit the local volunteers. Therefore, besides free clinics, the tasks include to bring in "Temperature" meaning to keep everything warming up, to increase the number of local volunteers.” He continued his sharing, "In the beginning of the blessing ceremony, Catholic priest led all the people around to pray. There was a statement made by Brother Stephen Huang that although our language and skin are different from yours, the blood color in our body is the same as yours. Because we care about you, we come to Mexico. Local people were very touched after heard it."

"A free clinic requires lots of volunteers’ assistance, but it cannot always rely on the U.S volunteers. To train local volunteers is needed. Let the U.S. volunteers become supporter rather than the driving planners." Brother Steven Voon mentioned, "We invited some nurses to teach the prevention of diseases and simple massage. Massage is also one of the most popular clinics. Lesson on knowing dental equipment was also given. Because of the complexity of setting up dental instruments, local volunteers were separated in groups to learn." We found that in Mexico, the "job title" is very important. Coincidentally, a local female dentist, Martin, joined TIMA last year. Since then, she has attended clinic every time. She speaks English and also knows about the purposes and obligations of Tzu Chi’s free clinic. Hoping that she will be able to lead and run the dental team in the future." Steven also expects there will be Mexican members to join the TIMA Convention next year.

"The most impressive of participating in the Mexico clinic is the merit of charity. Thanks to the aid distributions, otherwise, medical mission is not likely to get in." MD Deng Boren, deputy chief executive of the US medical mission, said: "After several clinics in Mexico, we have better understanding about the needs of local residents, thus clinics can be run smoothly. The team has only a dozen of volunteers but needs to serve hundreds of people. It requires a lot of local volunteers. The clinic site is full of people. Under the circumstance of insufficient medical volunteers, the design on process line of moving people is the very important. We use the minimum manpower to maximize the clinic performance."

Dr. Yeh Tian-Hao from TIMA Taiwan talked about his experience in Mexico. He said: "The first time I went to Mexico was to spread seeds of love. I went again and saw the seeds already sprouted." He shared three cases to let all TIMA participants knowing the unending love from Tzu Chi. TIMA has already started to look for local hospitals for those patients who are in serious illness.

Sister Mary Keh shared the role of logistic volunteers in the clinic: "I am responsible for the numeric cards and the distributions of patients to the various departments. If the quota I have was ended, yet there were still many patients waiting in line, I also need to approach the doctors to discuss with them whether they can see more patients. Some patients even will bring bread to express appreciation to Tzu Chi in the morning time. No mater they are doctors or overseas volunteers or local volunteers, all of them are working together. We are grateful to the Quebec’s principals leading students to do the translation. All of principal and teachers were also volunteering to participate in the training session after the end of the clinic. I hope that one day I will meet them again in Mexico."

Lastly, Dr. Kenneth Liao shared a story of a local volunteer David helping the patient David. "The young David was diagnosed with a brain death in a serious car accident. The hospital asked the family to take him home. Through a home visit, volunteer David found that the patient David has financial difficulties, and volunteer David provided diapers and other supplies. Every time as long as the patient was to return to the hospital, volunteer David would escort him, through the car provided by a kind person, to see the doctor. Patient David is getting better though rehabilitation is still needed. Nevertheless, the greatest improvement is that David is able to stand up again." Volunteer David helping the patient David has become a touching story, and it is also a testimony to Tzu Chi's unending love in Mexico.

Chariemay Diyinagtkcia (first from right hand side in the second row) from the Philippines attends the annual TIMA Convention for the first time. She said: "I am very interested in the Mexican medical clinic. Those medical teams have really helped many people and I hope that I have the opportunity to help this country."