力行植林慈善基金會

Volunteer: Lai, Stephanie Ellen

Trip participated: Surgery trip 11/10 – 14/10

It was my great pleasure to be a part of the service team for the YangShan Cataract Surgery trip in the past October. The apparent aging population worldwide poses a healthcare concern faced across most nations. This is not any different for China, which comprises the largest population in the world. The increasing number of elderly would bring about a whole new spectrum of non-communicable diseases and health care issues that would need to be tackled. Among the different chronic/preventable diseases, cataract is often one that is overlooked. Impaired vision, in particularly in elderly, is often associated with numerous sequelae, such as fragility fractures from falls. Nevertheless, it is a disease entity that is treatable given that there are readily available and accessible resources. Green Action Charity Foundation is one of few charitable organizations that bridge the gap between the poor and needy elderly population in numerous developing counties within China and the resources for the treatment of cataracts.

It was an honour to participate in the trip. The experience itself was something we have gained for life. It is through volunteering opportunities like these that we can once again remind ourselves to stay grounded and appreciate what we were given. It brings with it more than just a mere 4-day volunteering trip, but a glimpse of what a major proportion of the world is suffering from – poverty and lack of opportunities. We have been gifted with not only a stable and comfortable life but also the opportunity to study medicine. Thus, I consider it as our responsibility to reach out and offer our helping hand to those that are less fortunate. The past four and a half years of medical school has been tiring and draining. It is inevitable to lose that initial drive for a career in medicine along the way due to the grilling and demanding medical curriculum. Having said that, this trip served as a reminder to me the reason why I have chosen this career path – to help those in need with the knowledge and skills I have learned. It has definitely reignited that fire and passion in me for medicine.

October 11^th – Our first group photo upon arrival at Yangshan including the local doctors, nurses and volunteers from Hong Kong. It is perfect start to the cataract surgery trip.

October 12^th – First official morning of our service trip. The photo is a fair representation of how hectic the first morning was – from admitting 60+ elderly for pre-operative assessment to completing 30+ surgeries in the same day. Perfect harmony between health care workers and the volunteers was the key to success.

October 12^th - The first batch of patients await for their cataract surgeries. Even though we were there for them physically, but we would never understand the conflicting emotions they were going through – the anxiety of going under the knife and the anticipation of finally being able to see.

The strength from these patients is something we should all learn from. Not once did any of the patients complain of pain and fear as they placed all their trust in us.

Behind a successful service trip is a great leader and a group of passionate and hardworking volunteers.

October 14^th – the last morning before departure. In exchange from a merely four-day volunteering trip was a valuable lifelong lesson and experience.