In Pacavalj, Light Falls into the Eyes and into the Hearts

Traveling along the winding South Link Highway, rain streamed down the car windows. The heavy downpour brought by the outer circulation of the typhoon shrouded the mountains and sea in clouds and mist. Yet this storm did not deter the Taiwan Prevent Blindness Foundation(TPB) from advancing—the team pressed on steadfastly, providing ophthalmic examinations, eyeglass fittings, health education, and medical referrals for elders and children in remote areas.

On the morning of September 19, the weather finally cleared.

As the medical vehicle slowly entered Pacavalj in Dawu Township, Taitung, the fog lifted, and gentle sunlight poured into the valley. This land, embraced by mountains and sea, seemed to open its eyes, quietly welcoming the arrival of the free clinic.

Pacavalj is the settlement with the largest indigenous population in Dawu Township, formed by the convergence of four tribes: Sahayasai, Paqaljadan, Pacavan, and Ku shu shu. Its name has evolved through the ages: during the Japanese colonial period, it was called “Daichouman,” and in the Paiwan language, it is “Pacavali.” Each change in nomenclature bears the imprint of history. The residents are primarily Paiwan people, with a portion of Han Chinese. This multicultural coexistence preserves indigenous traditions while blending Han customs, creating a unique village character.

Stepping into Pacavalj, one finds that most residents still rely on farming, forestry, and fishing for their livelihood, deeply intertwined with the land. However, with limited income, life remains modest. Many young people leave home to seek work elsewhere, returning only during holidays, making “grandparent-led childcare” a common norm. For the elders, routine matters like seeing a doctor or getting eyeglasses—everyday conveniences in the city—become arduous journeys. A one-way trip from Pacavali to the urban center takes an hour, taxing not just the body but also the solitude of the heart.

“The doctor is here!”—Pacavalj’s Reassuring Call

This year, on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the TPB made a special visit to Pacavalj. Chairman Dr. Jui-Fang Tsai led the medical team personally, bringing expertise and compassion to this mountain-and-sea-embraced land. The news spread through Village Chief Ding-Rong Chen ‘s broadcast across the four tribes—a simple yet powerful phrase, “The doctor is here!”—serving like a soothing balm, easing residents’ concerns and drawing them with anticipation to the cultural and health station.

Throughout the clinic, Chief Chen shuttled tirelessly, greeting residents and maintaining order. He recalled with emotion that the health station once served as a temporary office after Typhoon Morakot in 2009, left abandoned for years. Through continuous effort, it was finally renovated and reborn as a vital community space.

“To transform an unused space into a place where people can receive care—that’s a blessing for all of us. We are truly grateful to the Taiwan Prevent Blindness Foundation for bringing medical care here,” Chief Chen said, his eyes shining with gratitude.

Before leaving, he reminded the team warmly, “Don’t forget to eat!”—a simple yet heartfelt expression of care. He repeatedly thanked the team. This clinic was not only a medical service but a meaningful encounter—one of human warmth and connection.

Among the volunteers was pharmacist Mr. Huang Wei-Kuang from Mackay Memorial Hospital, a familiar face in nearly every Taitung clinic. He could be seen carefully dispensing medication and patiently explaining usage instructions. His calm yet firm voice reassured the elderly patients, each nodding attentively. For them, these gentle reminders were more than pharmaceutical advice—they were everyday acts of protection, like a quiet light illuminating their lives.

In this land between mountains and sea, doctors, volunteers, and villagers were deeply connected. Through every examination and every word of care, the feeling of being seen became a source of inner strength — the most comforting echo within the Pacavalj.

Pacavalj Medical Outreach Chronicle: From Elders to Children, Seeing the Eyes of the Countryside

At the clinic, weathered faces lined the waiting area. Some folded their hands quietly, eyes filled with both caution and hope. One elder, suffering from nasopharyngeal cancer, had his vision blurred by a tumor pressing on the optic nerve. He sat silently until Dr. Tsai knelt beside him, gently examining and explaining the condition. The flicker of light that returned to his eyes was deeply moving—it wasn’t just medical care; it was the comfort of being remembered.

A foreign caregiver named Pepe, accompanying her elderly employer, shyly mentioned that she hadn’t had her own eyes checked in years. Always caring for others, she had no time to care for herself. Her test revealed nearsightedness and astigmatism, and her old glasses—broken five years ago—had been patched up repeatedly. The foundation arranged a new pair for her, free of charge. When she put them on, her bright, joyful smile radiated like sunlight. It was the joy of seeing clearly—and of finally being cared for.

In a corner sat a grandmother and her shy three-year-old grandson. She worriedly explained that the child had been rubbing his eyes lately. Acting as both grandmother and mother, she waited anxiously until the doctor reassured her it was just a mild inflammation. Her sigh of relief was long and deep, her gratitude unending—not just for the diagnosis, but for the peace it brought.

These moments capture the essence of rural life: the helplessness of illness and aging, the hardships of caregivers, the quiet worries of skipped generations. Each clinic does more than heal eyes—it restores clarity to vision and dignity to hearts.

In Pacavalj, “Caring for the Eyes of the Countryside” means more than medical aid; it is an act of love and companionship.

Seeing Cherishment in Waiting: A Different Kind of Healing of Remote Outreach

On the day of the clinic, Chairman Dr. Jui-Fang Tsai oversaw the proceedings personally. Observing the waiting faces, she noted that eye conditions in Pacavalj are disproportionately high: cataracts, corneal ulcers, and pterygium cases abound, with some patients gradually losing sight from tumor compression on the optic nerve. In urban areas, such issues might receive prompt treatment, but in remote places, they are often delayed by time and distance. Despite the long hours, Dr. Tsai insisted, “Everyone who registered today will be seen.”

This determination goes beyond a physician’s duty—it is a promise to the village. It stems from an understanding of the “hardships behind the wait,” a willingness to invest time and effort in protection. Medicine is more than diagnosis and treatment; it is a posture that makes patients feel “worth the wait” and “cherished.”

In the city, an eye exam or new glasses may seem routine. But here, every visit, every new pair of lenses is a precious gift—a tangible reminder that they are seen and valued. It whispers softly yet profoundly: You are not forgotten. We see you, and we care.

A Box of Mooncakes, A Heartfelt Blessing—Bringing Reunion to Pacavalj

On this Mid-Autumn visit, the foundation also brought mooncakes to share with the elders. This small gesture carried warmth and the spirit of reunion into the remote village. Some elders carefully tucked the mooncakes into their bags, smiling as they said they would share them with grandchildren. Others eagerly opened them on the spot, breaking pieces to share with friends. Sweet laughter filled the health station, spreading like a gentle light that embraced everyone. In that moment, the clinic was no longer just a medical event—it became a gathering, a shared celebration. The aroma of mooncakes mingled with the compassion of the medical team, forming a quiet warmth in every heart. It reminded everyone that care is not only about curing illness—it is about companionship; that true health is not only clear vision—it is mutual care and connection.

Step by Step, the Light Returns

The TPB continues its journey into rural areas—no matter how distant or difficult the road, the team brings both professionalism and love to those in need. The mountains and sea of Pacavalj remain steadfast guardians of the land. The wind brushes through the fields, the waves lap against the shore. Life seems unchanged, yet it quietly glows brighter with every visit. In the villagers’ eyes, there is more light; in their hearts, more peace. That light is not only the return of clear vision—it is a deep comfort, a reminder that they are not forgotten. It is the most precious gift of all: the hope that endures, like the eternal presence of mountains and sea, gently illuminating the road ahead.