Relief materials received by local government staff

On November 25, 2007, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter Scale struck Sumbawa Island, Indonesia, causing several deaths and injuries, and bringing much upheaval to over 30,000 lives in 27 villages.

Concerned about the victims, Master immediately gave US$5,000 to aid in the relief work. Initiates from Jakarta and Bali Centers quickly formed a team that included two doctors, and together with their financial contributions, flew to Bima City in Sumbawa on December 4.

Upon their arrival they were able to purchase 4,000 kg of rice, 300 boxes of instant noodles and 100 tarpaulins, which they took to the Red Cross center in Dompu, the most needy area. While at the Red Cross, they gathered information about other affected areas and packed the relief materials into small packages for easy delivery the next day. On December 5 and 6, accompanied by Red Cross members, volunteers, policemen, one ambulance and three Indonesian Red Cross vehicles, our fellow initiates distributed two trucks full of relief packages throughout seven villages. Apart from giving the food and supplies, the relief team also offered free medical services, which were greatly needed. In addition, the team contributed 200 bags of cement through the Indonesian Red Cross for the renovation of a school building in Kilo sub-district.

 

Medical services were very much in demand.	Contributing 200 bags of cement for renovation of school building through the local Red Cross.
The farewell evening with Indonesian Red Cross members and local people	Red Cross members reading Master’s publications attentively.

 

During the relief work, fellow initiates also took the opportunity to introduce Master’s teachings. For example, while packing the relief items, they handed out Master’s sample booklets and Alternative Living leaflets to the Red Cross members, the volunteers and the policemen, who read them closely and were very impressed by the loving messages. One policeman was so engrossed in reading Master’s book that he almost forgot his duty. At the farewell event on the evening of the last day, fellow initiates also answered questions on vegetarianism and the Light and Sound Meditation method. Several people showed great interest in the vegetarian diet.

Our fellow initiates are grateful to have had this valuable opportunity to learn and grow in compassion through this relief mission, and bring God’s love to the disaster victims on Sumbawa Island.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Earthquake Relief Work at NTB, East Indonesia

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