More than 100 students and community members were at the Fresno City College cafeteria on Saturday to take advantage of the free health care being offered at the Tzu Chi Health Fair.

“We have so many people out of work right now,” said Gilbert Hernandez, a volunteer Spanish interpreter with Tzu Chi.  “Services are free.  People cannot afford care.  Even for those who have access to medicine, they still can’t afford the medicine.  There are programs so people can get medicine quite cheap.”

There were over 100 patients at the health fair, most of whom received several of the services that were being offered.  Those who signed up for treatment were able to receive blood pressure testing, blood sugar testing, adult medicine, pediatric medicine, acupuncture, and dental care.

Lance Truong, president of the Pre-Health Society club at FCC, said it was challenging getting administration’s permission to allow the fair to take place on campus.

Truong said that one of the concerns was whether the event would have enough volunteers.  Truong solicited volunteers from all over the community.  Several of the volunteers were from Reedley College to provide assistance wherever necessary, including acting as translators for those who didn’t speak English.  The doctors were also volunteers from the community.

Some of the language that the volunteer translators provided included Spanish, Punjabi, Chinese, Hindu, and even sign language.

“I would rather have extra volunteers, which is what we have today, so we have people standing around instead of not enough people.” Truong said.

The Tzu Chi Foundation, a nonprofit Buddhist organization, has offices in 47 countries, and is one of the largest charity organizations originating from Taiwan.  The Fresno office was established in 1994, and is one of 62 branches and service centers linked with the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation U.S.A., which was founded 25 years ago.

“We not only provide community services, we bring our spirit with us: respect, gratitude, and love,” said Grace Yang, Director of Tzu Chi Fresno Service Center.  “We are grateful that they [the patients] come to receive services. They give us a chance to reach out and share the love.”

This was the first time Tzu Chi held a health fair at FCC.  Previously this fair was held at Manchester Center, but the Foundation is currently looking for a new location.  FCC could be ideal for Tzu Chi because it would allow them to service the same community members they always have, plus they would also have a higher chance to get some of FCC’s 19,000 plus students involved or treated.

“Giving is not the privilege of the rich; it is the privilege of the sincere.” – Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of The Tzu Chi Foundation.