Love Brings Hope in Landslide Relief

By Jakarta Relief Team (Originally in Indonesian)

Landslides brought destruction to six West Java villages in Indonesia on November 14, 2008, costing 14 lives, burying 707 houses, and forcing hundreds to seek refuge in relatives’ houses or tents. Four days later, Association members from Jakarta brought comfort to the people in an action of love initiated by Supreme Master Ching Hai’s compassionate contribution of US$10,000.

An 11-member relief team from the Jakarta Center set out to Cianjur in two trucks loaded with emergency supplies of 765 family packages, each containing a plastic mat, a blanket, two towels, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, sarong, warming balm and a bucket. For the children, they prepared 300 sets of school supplies, 75 dinner sets and 200 packages of toys, multivitamin syrup, instant porridge and cereal. The darkened sky and constant rains presented challenges to the aid delivery. However, with the help of the local Red Cross, the team reached Sukabungah village in the Campakamulya sub-district after a 2-hour drive followed by a precarious trek by foot. Many villagers staying in temporary tents were visibly touched by the first-aid they received at this crucial time. They said, “Thank you for being here, and for the relief items…. Hopefully this good coordination can be continued for humanity.” Master’s caring support has brought light and hope into the lives of landslide survivors in far away places. May they soon find safe abodes and return to normal, happy lives.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for the Landslide Relief Work in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia

Description	Amount (IDR)	Receipt
Food (vegetarian protein, baby porridge, margarine, soy sauce, corn chips) and utensils	15,465,370	A
Supplies (toys, stationeries, lunch boxes, soap, brushes, toothpaste, sarongs, towels, blankets, buckets, floor mats, napkins)	79,980,500	B
Medicine	2,024,000	C
Misc. expenses (transportation, packing supplies)	7,302,215	D
Total	IDR 104,772,085 (USD 9,524.74)

* Throughout the relief operation, fellow initiates paid for their own transportation, food and accommodation expenses.