Report from Formosa

Training Log of the Amphibious Rescue Team

 

Participants learn how to pack a backpack.

Jogging is a training course involving physical skills.

Thanks to Master's infinite love, the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association has carried out numerous charitable rescue activities around the world for many years. However, since some officials in disaster stricken areas only allow those rescue groups that possess professional qualifications and that have registered for permission to approach, initiates can only provide limited outside assistance in such cases. Therefore, Formosan initiates have begun to take the initiative in gaining various forms of professional aid training, in hopes of being able to provide better and more thorough help whenever necessary after obtaining the necessary qualifications. On the other hand, in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the local government and the need to obtain official recognition, establishing formal voluntary aid organizations is a priority. Thus Formosan initiates have begun to make plans for training courses for rescue teams, including climbing and descending (for disaster rescue in mountainous areas), radio telecommunications, CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), diving and so on. Professional coaches will be invited to guide the courses, which are to be extremely strict and tightly regulated. Participants have to pass examinations after they complete the courses to obtain relevant licenses.

 

Explaining the tying and uses of knots.
Balance training.
	During the training course, news interview training is conducted, which includes photography and interview methods.

It is planned that the rescue team will possess amphibious capabilities and facilities, because Master has said that we should not hurry to do what others have already done in disaster aid, but instead should do what others have not yet done. According to various surveys, over eighty percent of the natural disasters in Formosa for dozens of years have involved heavy rain, typhoons, and mud and rock flow. Therefore, disaster aid should be focused on the amphibious aspect. We hope that all rescue team members will obtain the above-mentioned required licenses.

During the training course, a "Journalism Training Camp" will also be established, with courses in news interview techniques, dynamic and static photography and audio recording. Such a camp is being planned because in the past, when disasters have occurred, initiates have devoted all of their efforts to rescue work, and have often ignored jobs such as photography and note taking. And more and more frequently, parties such as government organizations, academic institutions and various media have been requesting that we provide relevant materials concerning our disaster relief work for their research and reports. Meanwhile, we hope that we can thus make a perfect record of the loving actions of the Living Master, so that people will have a better understanding of Her real teachings.