力行植林慈善基金會

Volunteer: Fok Kar Hong Nicholas (CUHK year 3)

Trip participated: Surgery trip 8/11 - 12/11

This cataract service trip alongside the Green Action Charity Foundation has been one of my most fulfilling volunteering experiences. Being directly involved in the screening and preparation of patients for cataract surgery, it reminded me about the profound impact we as medical students are able to create in touching the lives of patients through serving our fellow humans.

When the first batch of patients were due to be discharged from the hospital, we were there to send them off to meet their families. As her relatives have yet to arrive, an old lady walked down the corridor with hands full of luggage, barely managing to hurl the weight of it all. I noticed her and went up to lend her a hand. Seeing her broad smile in response struck a chord in me: why is there so much emphasis on what we can do as medical students specifically? Am I going to help perform blood glucose tests? Will I be able to observe surgeries? How is this service medically related? These are common questions that even I myself will ask unconsciously when considering whether or not to participate in a particular service activity since entering medical school. By this mentality, our act of service has become a means, instead of an end. It is essential that we shift our focus back upon the people we serve—not the type of service we perceive as important—but rather to serve while standing in their shoes to understand their needs. Because it is through such simple acts of genuine care that one can bring about tremendous joy into the lives of others.

Briefing before we began the process of screening patients in order to prepare them for cataract surgery.

Assisting a patient in measuring her eye pressure.