In collaboration with the local Red Cross Society, volunteers and the medical team from Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam, organized a 2-day Free Clinic cum Relief Distribution on a large scale at Ben Tre Province in Vietnam.

Rain coats were being held high to make a covered passage for patients to arrive for registration in total dryness. 【Photograph by Chong Fook Lin】

Li Zhi Peng has a number of "first time" in a day on record.【Photograph by Chong Fook Lin】

Patients were given free hair cuts at the site too.【Photograph by Loo Leong Teck】

Treading the narrow path and crossing the green fields, volunteers are on their way to pay home visit to the sick.【Photograph by Lee Mun Keat】

“Come this way.” Volunteers happily walk the patients to where they’re heading in the clinic site.【Photograph by Loo Leong Teck】

Wei Bi Jun and her Vietnamese “daughter”.【Photograph by Lee Mun Keat】

The Free Clinic lasted two days, in which a total of 2,314 patients were treated.【Photograph by Lee Mun Keat】

Innocent victims of Vietnam War physically challenged and ill live in great misery. Picture shows volunteers held them tenderly by the hand while carrying provisions for them.【Photograph by Chong Fook Lin】

Tooting motorcycles throng the narrow streets, deafening the ears; and buildings and public facilities looked old and shabby. That would clearly describe the boisterous Ho Chi Minh City. Amidst the hustle and bustle, and the aroma of freshly baked French breads, the sightseeing bus which we boarded departed the city to head for Ben Tre Province, 110km south of Ho Chi Minh City. Half way through the journey, we were transferred onto a ferry. After about four hours of traveling, we finally arrived at a secondary school, the site for our scheduled free clinics. On 22 June 2007, volunteers from Tzu Chi Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam, coupled with personnel from the local Red Cross Society and medical team, were ready to carry out a good cause out of compassionate love. 

Early next morning, despite the heavy rain, the school ground where the free clinics were held became crowded. The old, the sick, the poor and war victims, all waited eagerly to be seen. Free clinics cover polyclinic, gynaecology, paediatrics, dental as well as Oriental (Chinese Medicine) clinic. At the same time, relief and aid were distributed to the poor. The volunteers were busily attending to the needs of the crowd. Some helped the old and weak ones to their seats; some served tea and snacks, while others calmed the crowd with a presentation of lyrical sign language.

The rain is still pouring down outside the clinics. The volunteers improvised a covered passage way using raincoats held high over themselves. This way, each patient could reach the Registration safe and dry, although the volunteers themselves were wet through. But that did not bother them as the brotherhood of mankind warmed the hearts of all. Members of the Red Cross Society were so moved that they were soon seen joining in to help the old and physically challenged in the rain.

In the two days of free clinics, a total of 2,314 persons had received medical treatment, and 1,475 poor families were given 13 items each. These included provisions like cooking oil, sugar, towels, mosquito nets, toiletries and so on. The medical team for TIMA diagnosed six cases of thyroid tumors. Some of the volunteers accompanied the patients concerned to the provincial hospital for further medical follow-ups.

Dilute porridge seasoned with salt

An old granny, Madam Yang arrived at the clinics with her neighbor who brought her here on a motorcycle.

Even though Yang has a daughter, she lives alone. Her daughter works 125 km away in Ho Chi Minh City. She hardly comes home and does not give any money to her mother for her livelihood.

In 1968, old Granny Yang lost an arm and an eye during the war. Despite this, she did her own household chores single-handedly and even planted coconut and banana trees in the field. However, misfortune struck again when Hurricane Durian destroyed all her crops.

With the only source of income lost, the old granny has to depend on her neighbors for food. She cooks very watery porridge, seasons it with salt, and drinks it for a meal. Sometimes she gets to eat, sometimes none at all.

Old granny Yang has been diagnosed with hypertension. A volunteer explained to her that she should use less salt, to which the old granny replied, "I add salt to the watery porridge so that I need not eat too much at a time, then I can save the porridge for other meals to come. In fact, I am grateful that I can have such porridge to survive on."

Looking at the provisions that her neighbor collected on her behalf, old granny Yang could not believe her eyes. Repeatedly she asked, "Are these all for me really?" She was so happy that she kept saying, "Thank you for your kindness."

  With packets of provisions tucked securely on her lap, old granny Yang took off on the motorcycle with her neighbor. As they were departing in the rain, we could see old granny looking back to wave to us.

Making it to the free pharmacy at the last moment

Mei Jin Qing had a blackout upon entering the waiting area. She brought her mother here to see the doctor. On examination, the doctor revealed that she had symptoms of hypertension, and she was then rushed to the hospital and placed on a drip.

At noon, some volunteers visited her in the ward. Only then did they discover that she has a congenital heart. She has had bouts of nausea and vomiting, cardiac discomfort, and at times blackouts. She has also been admitted and discharged many times.

"The doctors said I should undergo an operation. But it costs a lot of money. I don't have the money. All I can do is to buy the prescribed medication."

Mei's husband is a laborer with a meager income. As such, he is unable to pay for the operation. Although Mei, who comes from a poor family, enjoys free treatment and hospitalization, she has to pay for her prescriptions.

"I really need the free medicines, could I go back there to get them?"
 
By the time she returned, it was already 3.30pm and almost time for the clinics to end. The doctor in attendance, however, readily gave her a careful examination and the necessary prescription.

Madam Mei clutched the hands of a volunteer thankfully, and uttered repeatedly, "I have got free medication!"

Even though those pills and tablets may not be the cure for her ailment, they were the most valuable gift she could ask for.

A song of gratitude

Li Zhi Peng is a 24-year old newly graduated Vietnamese dentist. He has never expected to practice his skills for the first time for free, what more with Tzu Chi free clinics.

In fact, Li, who does not speak Mandarin, has a number of "first time" in a day on record.

This was the first time after his graduation that he performed an extraction; the first time that he took part in charity work; the first time that he came into contact with Tzu Chi; the first time that he saw doctors singing and performing lyrical sign language for the amusement of those under their care; the first time that he saw provisions being distributed to patients at free clinics; the first time that he witnessed those in need of medical attention being served tea and snacks as they waited for their turns, and being given free hair cuts as well.

He was in awe of all that he had seen for the first time in his life. What moved him deeper still was that the Tzu Chi members had paid for their own tickets to come to Vietnam, just to do service to his own fellow countrymen, and to shower them with love.

"I have learned to be grateful from the example set by Tzu Chi members."

Li wears a heart-shaped pendant, with "Love" engraved on it. His girlfriend gave it to him, and he has never parted with it. Looking at the pendant carefully, he realized that a heart with true love is beautiful and shines bright.

"Without wholeheartedness, there is nothing. I have learned much from the Tzu Chi members."

At the "Sharing Love" concert that evening, Li sang with his heart a song appropriately entitled "A Grateful Heart", to the audience, comprising of his fellow Vietnamese medical personnel, and all Tzu Chi members. He also wished for the compassionate footprints of Tzu Chi members to be planted all over Vietnam, bringing compassionate love to all his fellow countrymen.

"I have one wish - to open a fully equipped hospital one day, where people could get free medical care," he said this with a smile, brimming with hope.

The most meaningful thing in life

Huang Zhi Ming is a volunteer from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is physically challenged due to poliomyelitis contracted when he was young. He had been put in charge of reception at the physical examination area. It was the first time that he had seen the pains and sufferings. Some of the patients had very bad skin conditions; some came with serious burns, while others had thyroid abnormalities and convulsions. What shocked him most was the sight of old war victims limping about on make-shift wooden prosthesis.

"This is my first time overseas for the purpose of free clinics. I had never encountered so many people in urgent need of medical care. I can feel their pains and sufferings." He felt sorry for not being able to do much. He realized instantly that his own misfortune was nothing compared to what he had seen. 

Before the trip, Huang was still contemplating on the best way to riches. Yet when he picked up and carried a physically challenged one for examination, he realized suddenly that the greatest meaning in life is not achieving riches, but is to be in a position to serve the needy. With this realization, and even though he had been soaked through in the rain , he still managed to give his best and most sincere smile for those under his care.

Fan Wan Ying, a Vietnamese volunteer, knows some Chinese as she had learned the language for a duration of 3 years. She says, "Participation in the free clinics enables me to find my reason for living. At the end of the day, my legs ache, but I feel happy, and my worries seem gone. The Tzu Chi members from abroad are like my long lost relatives; I just feel like crying on seeing them."

Passing on warm love by hand

"I have never shook so many hands in a day!" said Yang Mei Yan who is in the home visit team from Kuala Lumpur. Despite having seen numerous cases of suffering elsewhere, she was shocked all the same by what she witnessed in Vietnam.

Sister Yang was in charge of taking patients to their respective clinics. She thought that it was an easy task. But as the old folks' trembling hands that felt so cold and rough, clutched hers for support, she was sad to realize how they must have yearned for some warm and caring hands to hold and to support.

A look of trust replaced the anxiety and worry written on their faces, as their cold hands turned warmer and warmer in her palms.

"As they were being held and led on their way, some of the elderly would talk to me, at times in tears. I may not understand the Vietnamese language but I could feel their sufferings." Each time she helped them to their respective clinic, the grandpas and grandmas would give her a sincere smile of gratitude. 

Through an interpreter, a granny expressed her thanks to Sister Yang, for being that someone who had so sincerely held her hands and led her to see the doctor, on such a rainy day. At that very moment, Sister Yang felt the warm happiness in her heart. Gone were the aches and pains sustained from a full day of tedious walking, holding hands, and giving bright smiles. All the effort she had put in was worth the while!

But I should be the one to feel thankful, for the tiny, trembling hands that I have held in my hands remind me of my parents. I should think parents do yearn for their own children to return their love, too.

The very thought that she has not cared enough for her parents brought tears to her eyes. She promised herself that from that day onwards, not only will she hold the hands of patients, but she hopes to bring to all those whose hands she holds tight, a sense of warmth and love.

My daughter of foreign land

To Wei Bi Jun, a volunteer from Kuala Lumpur, the road to the free clinics had been a long and bumpy one. Transferring from road to ferry, treading through fields on narrow paths, crossing rivers, and going through thick shrubs, she found on arrival at the destination, that all shoes and pants were dirty with mud stains all over.

Li Pei Ling, who is a volunteer from Vietnam, shared her view: "Each time in a free clinic project, there are bound to be cases that need follow up, and we will do so even after the project is over."

At the thought of their Vietnamese counterparts having to take the frequent difficult journey to visit the suffering ones, all were deeply moved. They trailed behind the local Red Cross Society members in the team on a long and winding path to arrive at the house of a 4-year old girl named Nyuen Su Ru.
 
The house was a simple shack with walls but no doors nor furniture. Its so-called kitchen was nothing more than a hut of dry grass annexed to the back portion of the shack. Hurricane Durian had destroyed her house, and reconstruction is taking a rather slow pace. A mixed emotion of sadness and sympathy surged within the heart of Wei Bi Jun.

Five months ago, Nyuen Su Ru's mother noticed the paleness in her complexion, and little Nyuen has had difficulty in eating. So, the mother took her to see the doctor. Nyuen was diagnosed with Thalassemia (a form of blood disorder). Since then she has to go for monthly blood transfusion; each of which would mean a hospitalization period of 5 to 15 days for Nguen.

In order for her mother to take care of Nyuen, the eldest daughter decided to stop school to take charge of household chores and to look after the other two younger siblings. Wei Bi Jun could not help but hugged Nyuen Su Ru after listening to her sad story.

"They all think that she resembles my daughter. I have a daughter who is also three years old. Both really look alike." Could it be karmic cause, or is it compassionate love, that brought a smile onto the face of the cold and aloof little girl, as Wei Bi Jun lovingly cuddled her.

As they take their leave, the little girl in her mother's arms suddenly, with arms folded, gave a deep bow to Wei Bi Jun. She has shown her gratitude in the Vietnamese way.

"My sweet and polite girl, my Vietnamese daughter!" Once more she cuddled the child, and tears rolled down Wei's cheeks.

The return journey on the bumpy road did not seem difficult anymore. Wei Bi Jun did not forget that Nguen Su Ru's mother has to take this same journey every month just to take her child to the hospital.
 
Is it not a journey of love!

"No more do I regret taking such a journey as this!"