The Volunteers of TCU Medical Outreach Team Have a Clear and Steadfast Direction for the Future
慈大人醫菲揚國際志工 從服務中學習更堅定未來方向
Text/photo: TCU’s Medical Outreach Team
This was the fourth year that TCU’s Medical Outreach Team has served in the Philippines. The team was led by Dean Jen-Hung Yang of the College of Medicine, and more than 20 students joined in. For these students, this was an unforgettable experience, and an opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and compassion.
慈大醫學院人醫菲揚國際志工團，在醫學院由楊仁宏院長帶隊下，第四年至菲律賓進行志工服務，二十多位學生也參與慈濟在菲律賓獨魯萬義診活動，對學生來說這是一次難得的經驗，也讓他們的學習生涯，增添豐富色彩。
“I acquired skills and knowledge from these physicians, yet I was more impressed by the way they interacted with their patients, how they respected each other, and how they stuck to their mission. This experience serves as a motivation for me to become an altruistic physician, and a reminder of why I chose to be a physician,” a student said. In 2013 Typhoon Yolanda devastated the Philippines, especially in Tacloban, killing and injuring numerous people and damaging many properties. TCU’s Medical Outreach Team worked with physicians of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), to provide medical outreach and health education in Tacloban.
「從醫師身上我學習到的不只是醫學專業方面的知識，最重要的是在從事醫療行為時的態度，我學到了人與人之間的尊重，還有對自身使命的責任，願這次的體悟可以成為我的動力，在未來時時提醒自己莫忘初衷。」國際志工隊的同學說。慈大人醫菲揚國際志工隊，於2013年成立，當年菲律賓在海燕颱風的襲擊下，損失慘重，更有多人死傷，慈濟大學「人醫菲揚」志工服務團配合人醫會醫師，前往海燕災區進行大型義診，並協助衛生教育之宣傳工作，也開啟了他們的國際志工之路。
This August, a total of 28 participants traveled to the Philippines, and students cherished every moment of service. Coming to a village where a garbage dump was nearby, students visited each family and provided them with necessities. Through sufferings of the local people, students felt how lucky they were and realized the value of being contented. Zheng-Wei Lin, a student of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, said: “The moment I stepped into this village, I was in tears. We always complain about what we don’t have, and yet we rarely count what we already have. I will keep in mind how lucky I am, cherish what I have, and work with my family and friends to love others.”
今年八月，師生一行28人再次來到菲律賓，同學們也把握機會服務與學習。抵達菲律賓的第一站，學生們來到由成堆的垃圾經年累月堆疊起來冒煙山，進行居家關懷與物資發放。透過居家訪視，學生們深刻感受到自己有多幸福，也體會到知足的重要；分子生物暨人類遺傳學系林政瑋表示：「一踏進冒煙山，眼淚就不斷在眼眶打轉。人們總是抱怨自己還少了什麼，卻忘記依然擁有什麼。希望之後能夠知福惜福，並且督促自己以及家人朋友共同再造福。」
During this period of nine days, the members took part in medical outreach, visited needy families, provided necessities, visited their sister university, and built temporary houses. Medical professionals from the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan worked with each other during this three day medical outreach in Tacloban. TCU students were assigned to every medical specialty to assist physicians and patients and also to learn from these physicians. A TCU medical student Santi Mitra Sari said: “Although we speak different languages, the smile is still our common language. From this outreach program I learned how to love and care for others, wishing that we can be members of this big family.” Students witnessed how those who were ill and couldn’t afford healthcare regained their health with the assistance of volunteer physicians. The students were touched and vowed to become altruistic physicians.
九天的志工服務行程，除了社區居家關懷與物資發放、姊妹校交流、協助搭建大愛屋外，參與義診活動更是此行重點。慈濟在菲律賓獨魯萬連續三天的義診服務，除了菲律賓本地醫護團隊之外，還有新加坡和臺灣跨海支援，而慈濟大學人醫菲揚所有團員也分佈於各科別服務，除協助讓義診更順利外，更重要的是努力向醫護人員學習。醫學系鍾麗明說：「我們雖然講著不一樣的語言，但我們共同的語言是美麗的微笑，我在這裡學到如何分享愛與關懷，也期待我們能夠變成一個大家庭。」看到平日因貧病無法就醫的民眾，因為人醫會醫師的醫治，可以再次找回健康重拾笑容，更是讓在旁協助的同學深受感動，也因親眼見到醫療對人的幫助，更加堅定自己要往行醫之路努力的決心。
Through encountering physicians from various countries, students acquired skills, knowledge and the spirit of giving. Dr. Ho, who is a member of TIMA said: “The reason that I joined TIMA was to be a better physician and a kinder person. If physicians see patients as just patients, and often pays attention to how many patients are to be seen, they might feel tired regularly. If I regard every patient as my teacher, I will be happy to count how many teachers are waiting to teach me, and I will never feel tired.” Dr. Ho’s sharing touched our students, and also reminded our students of their future responsibilities.
在義診活動中，同學們透過與各國醫師的接觸，除了學習醫療技術外，更重要的學習人醫會醫師們的精神，人醫會何醫師說:「我參加義診是因為我想要成為更好的醫師而且是更好的人。很多醫生看病會覺得累，是因為他們認為還有多少為病人沒看完。可是，若換一個角度思考，把每一位病人當成是自己的老師。心裡想說，我還有多少位老師可以向他們學習。這樣看病就不會感到累。」醫師前輩的分享除了讓同學們深受感動外，也提醒著同學們未來肩上所負的責任。
Dean Yang pointed out that “Student volunteers are able to apply what they learned to serve the needy overseas. In an overseas environment students have a keener sensitiveness of other’s feelings. This learning environment and opportunity are important to our students, and especially to our medical students.” Love transcends national boundaries, so Dean Yang wants to go to the Philippines every year with students with one simple thought in mind, which is to accompany students to expand their horizons and stick to their commitments.
慈濟大學醫學院楊仁宏院長表示，「國際志工服務能把學習從課堂『延伸』與『延深』到海外，透過不同文化場域將學生置身於『邊界』，更能發揮出人溺己溺，人飢己飢的同理心。這種學習環境與機會，對志為人醫的學生具有特別的意義與重要性」。服務無國界，善心無邊疆，自己每年皆親自帶隊，就是希望學生能透過志工服務行程，拓展了學生的視野，堅定學醫的初發心。