For Juvenal Morales, a former taxi driver in Tijuana, Mexico, the world had faded into darkness. His vision began to decline in March 2024, and by January of the following year, he was completely blind. As the sole provider for his family, the loss of his sight meant the loss of his livelihood. On March 1, 2025, guided by his family, he arrived at a free eye clinic at the Tzu Chi Tijuana campus, holding onto a fragile hope. "Now, Tzu Chi has appeared before me," he said. "I hope they can help me solve this problem."
A Glimmer of Hope for a Father
Juvenal’s blindness was complicated by an issue with his identification card, which had prevented him from receiving proper treatment for his diabetes, ultimately leading to severe eye complications. The $150 a month cost of the prescribed eye drops was an insurmountable barrier that forced him to give up on treatment.
The volunteer team at the clinic immediately sprang into action. They helped him resolve his ID issue so that he could receive care at the local health bureau to manage his blood sugar. They also arranged for a comprehensive examination at the Luz Foundation, a local organization specializing in eye care.
Juvenal's story deeply moved the volunteer team, especially Dr. Jennifer Aye, a physician from the United States. She immediately made a personal donation of 600 USD to kickstart his treatment. Inspired by her generosity, the Tzu Chi team in Tijuana committed to covering the cost of his medication for the next three months. Volunteers sprang into action, searching multiple pharmacies until they found one offering a significant discount, which reduced the monthly expense to 75 USD.
Wasting no time, they purchased the full supply. Even though it was a holiday, they delivered the eye drops directly to Juvenal's home, where they patiently showed him how to administer the treatment. The support doesn't stop there. To offer a more permanent solution, the campus is in the process of acquiring a laser instrument. The plan is for Dr. Aye to use it during her next visit, giving Juvenal a tangible hope of regaining some of his vision.
LEFT: Juvenal Morales, accompanied by his daughter, will go to the Luz Foundation for a detailed eye examination arranged by volunteers. | Photo by Mei-Chuan Su (蘇美娟) | Mexico | 2025/03/14 RIGHT: Dr. Jennifer Aye, a volunteer physician from the U.S., generously donated $600 of her own money to help Juvenal Morales afford his treatment. | Photo: Shu-Li Lo | Mexico | 2025/03/01
Clearing the Way for a Brighter Future
The clinic was a hub of activity, serving not only individuals like Juvenal but also students from nearby schools. Volunteers, many of whom had traveled from the Los Angeles area since five in the morning, worked seamlessly with the local Tijuana team. Their shared goal was to help children by identifying and correcting vision problems early, giving them a better chance at academic success.
The event was organized for students of the Tijuana Tzu Chi Elementary School and Mercy School. For many families in Mexico with multiple children, the cost of eyeglasses is a significant financial burden. Graciela Sanchez, the principal of Tijuana Tzu Chi Elementary, waited at the campus with 30 of her students. She has seen firsthand the difference that glasses can make.
"About six months ago, a group of students began wearing their new glasses, and I've seen their academic performance improve."
—Graciela Sanchez, principal of the Tijuana Tzu Chi Elementary School
LEFT: Faculty from Tijuana Tzu Chi Elementary and students from the Hope Classroom begin setting up the clinic venue early in the morning. | Photo: Shu-Li Lo | Mexico | 2025/03/01 RIGHT: Principal Graciela Sanchez expressed her appreciation for the vision screenings and free glasses provided to her students. | Photo: Shu-Li Lo | Mexico | 2025/03/01
Wearing Glasses for the First Time
For parents, the clinic offered profound relief. Sandra Jocelin Luna, a mother of three young children, learned about the clinic through Mercy School. Her eldest son had been falling frequently, and she discovered he couldn't see out of one eye. "We had no resources or financial support; we were completely helpless," she said. Now, with her son receiving care and her daughter also getting a check-up, she felt immense gratitude. "I think what the Tzu Chi volunteers do is wonderful. They are so kind and truly care for us. They show their concern for our children's vision through their actions."
Ivette Beltran brought her six-year-old daughter, Elieth Sanchez, for her very first eye exam. "I am so happy that my daughter can get glasses today," she said. "She needs them to see better."
Another parent, Mayra Crèctti, added, "I am grateful because you support us and help the children who need it. My daughter needs glasses, and I hope she gets them soon."
Comprehensive Care Beyond the Clinic
The clinic also attended to others who had lost their vision due to work-related injuries or health issues. Leobordo, a retired welder, had spent years exposed to intense light and heat, leaving him with almost no sight in his left eye. Without insurance, he had nowhere else to turn.
LEFT: Leobordo, who is almost completely blind in his left eye, receives an examination by a volunteer physician. RIGHT: After a long day at the clinic, volunteers make a home visit to a care recipient to check on their medication use and vision status. | Photos: Shu-Li Lo | Mexico | 2025/03/01
The team’s care did not end when the free clinic closed. Volunteers referred complex cases like Leobordo’s to the Luz Foundation for further diagnosis and followed up with home visits to check on patients, ensuring they understood their treatment plans.
The dedication to providing eye care in these remote communities is a core part of the mission for the volunteers in Tijuana. Through their steady and compassionate efforts, they are not just correcting vision; they are helping to change destinies, offering a clearer path to a brighter future.
Written by Shu-Li Lo (駱淑麗)
Source: 搶救慈善個案視力 提娃那眼科義診
