Until today, I never knew there was something wrong with my eyes. The world isn't a blur anymore. It’s so clear and beautiful! Thank you, Tzu Chi.
— Letizia, student at Equipo Academy
On February 27, 2026, the Tzu Chi mobile vision clinic arrived at Equipo Academy in North Las Vegas. Despite the winter date, temperatures reached 83°F (28°C) as the medical van pulled into the parking lot of the charter school. Serving grades 6 through 12, Equipo Academy is ranked eighth in Nevada for academic performance, yet all of its students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
A journey to provide care
The arrival of the mobile clinic is the result of years of local effort. In 2018, volunteers from Las Vegas attended a medical conference in Fresno, California. Inspired by the mobile clinics they saw there, they began a dedicated fundraising campaign.
Significant contributions, including a major donation from the family of Dr. Peng-Fei Chen (陳鵬飛) and support from local professionals like dentist Richard Chang (張恭逢), turned the dream into reality. By May 2023, the eleventh Tzu Chi mobile vision clinic in the United States was officially stationed in Las Vegas to serve low-income families and students in remote areas.
For many students in these communities, a clear vision is a luxury. Some struggle with blurred text in books or shadows on the blackboard, often mistaking a physical vision impairment for a lack of intelligence or focus.
LEFT: Medical coordinator Tsui-Ling Kao (left) assists a student with her new glasses. | Photo: Peter Simmons. RIGHT: Equipo Academy is one of 25 state-sponsored charter schools in Nevada, where every student qualifies for economic assistance. | Photo: Audrey Cheng (鄭茹菁）
Building community partnerships
The initiative at Equipo Academy was made possible through a connection with Serafin Calvo, the former manager of North Las Vegas Homeless Services. Now, the director of the Dolores Huerta Resource Center, Calvo introduced Tzu Chi to local schools in need.
"After we held our first vision clinic at the Dolores Huerta Resource Center in August 2025, Mr. Calvo saw the impact and recommended two charter schools to us," explained Christine Fisk (楊大蓉), a local Tzu Chi coordinator. Following months of coordination and the signing of a memorandum of understanding in December 2025, the clinic finally opened its doors to the students this February.
LEFT: The "iron triangle" team responsible for optometry and operations on the mobile clinic: Fan-Hao Fan (范芫赫), Pai-Yu Chang (張白鈺), and Vivian Liao (廖筱玉). RIGHT: Dr. Pamela Nyon (left) steps off the mobile clinic to explain a student’s eye condition to a parent. | Photos: Audrey Cheng
Professional care with a personal touch
The clinic operated through a series of stations in a temporary tent and inside the mobile van. Students moved through registration, color blindness testing, 3D vision checks, and professional exams. For those requiring correction, glasses were manufactured on-site in about 20 minutes.
Every volunteer is so professional. Having bilingual staff at every station to translate made it so much easier for us.
— Belen Alcantar, student
Optometrist Dr. Pamela Nyon did more than just record data; she took the time to step out of the van and personally explain results to parents. For students who found out that they needed glasses, the relief was often immediate. One student remarked quietly after his exam, "I'm not slow; I just couldn't see."
A legacy of service
The clinic also served as a training ground for the next generation of caregivers. Volunteer Vivian Liao, a nurse with a decade of experience in ophthalmology, led the team. Her daughter, Pai-Yu Chang (張白鈺), has been volunteering with Tzu Chi since she was six years old.
Now a medical management major nearing university graduation, Pai-Yu used her two years of experience as an optometry assistant to help operate the mobile clinic's equipment.
There wasn't a specific moment that started this. I just grew up watching and doing. I realized that even without great wealth, you can give your strength to help others.
— Pai-Yu Chang, Volunteer
LEFT: Volunteers assist a mother and daughter, providing translation and guidance during the eye exam. RIGHT: Letizia Aranibar checks her reflection after choosing her new frames. | Photos: Audrey Cheng
By the end of the day, 13 students walked away with new glasses and a clearer perspective on their education. For one student whose prescription was too complex for the on-site equipment, the team provided a professional prescription and guidance for specialized care.
As the team packed up, the sounds of laughter returned to the school playground. For these students, the world had shifted—the outlines are sharper, and the future looks a little brighter.
Written by Christine Fisk (楊大蓉), Audrey Cheng (鄭茹菁)
