by the Seoul News Group (originally in Korean)
On November 26, 2003, Youngdong initiates aided destitute flood victims using funds leftover from Supreme Master Ching Hai’s September 2003 contribution to relieve the effects of Typhoon Maemi. Thanks to the Supreme Master’s perfect arrangement, the remaining money was exactly the amount needed for the relief work.
To conduct the project, the practitioners visited Cheolam-dong, an abandoned mine site inhabited by underprivileged elderly people, orphans and the disabled, all of whom rely mainly on government support for their livelihood. With the winter season already upon them and the damage inflicted by the Typhoon not yet rectified, the unfortunate locals faced a cold, miserable winter. Thus, the initiates provided 200 heating briquettes for each of the 171 homes at the site and also offered the residents copies of Master’s sample booklet and News magazine.
From time to time, the people of Cheolam-dong receive aid from social service groups. However, this winter, the residents felt colder than usual due to the severe flood damage the region had suffered. So many asked at the Cheolam-dong Bureau for briquettes provided by local charitable organizations, but the Bureau did not have enough to go around. The initiates thus advised the people to come to the town’s Senior Center at 1:00 P.M. on the 26th and some arrived as early as 9:00 A.M. to make sure they would receive their share. As the briquettes were distributed, the residents and Bureau representatives repeatedly thanked Master for Her contribution because this year was the first in which briquettes were provided to all the households in the area.
Due to Master’s kindness, three school children who were living on their own did not have to worry anymore about their winter heating expenses because they had acquired enough briquettes to warm themselves for a long time. Thus the children and their teachers sincerely thanked the Supreme Master for the much-needed supplies and Her loving support.
Ms. Choi Hyun-Suk, welfare director at the Cheolam-dong Bureau, came to learn of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association when local initiates visited the area in September 2003 to conduct typhoon relief work. At that time, Ms. Choi regarded our group as just one of many religious organizations in Korea. Later, however, she happened to visit a vegetarian restaurant operated by our fellow initiates, and learned more about Master Ching Hai and the Association. Moreover, Ms. Choi said she knew that ours was a non-profit organization and felt the Master must be a really great Teacher as Her disciples were very kind and humble: “First I had a preconception of the Association as being just another religious organization. However, after finding out more information, I
was touched since its members don’t show off what they’ve done or advertise their deeds, but simply provide genuine help and then leave quietly.”Ater hearing these comments and successfully completing the Cheolam-dong relief project, the Youngdong initiates were thankful to Master for giving them another chance to put Her teachings into practical action through valuable service to the less fortunate.
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai for Relief of Needy Families in Cheolam-dong, Korea
| Item |
Amount (Korean won) |
Receipt # |
| Briquettes |
8,550,000 |
1 |
| Financial
support for the poor |
250,000 |
2 |
| Other
Expenses |
20,000 |
3 |
| Total |
Korean
Won 8,820,000 (approx.
US$7,670) |
|
Media Reports
Korea Gang Won Do Min Ilbo
Korea
