Relief Reports
Additional Comments On The Disaster Relief Trip In Venezuela
By Brother Initiate Rolando Hwang, Costa Rica
forward: Concerned about the victims of the Venezuela flood,
Master had instructed the Relief Group to keep checking in
regard to their needs, and try their best to help them.
According to the response, they still lacked hammocks, mosquito
nets, clothing, etc.
Master has compassionately allocated another US$15000, aside
from the balance of the last relief fund, US$1500 -- a total
of US$16500 -- as the second relief fund for the five hundred
victims.
After the second largest river -- the Oliorge River -- flooded,
Master promptly allocated twenty thousand U.S. dollars ($20,000)
as a relief fund, and instructed the relief group to send the
needed items to the victims. On the day we set out, there
happened to be a group of more than twenty television and
newspaper reporters from all over the country. They came to cover
the flood disaster, and to interview the governor and officials
who were explaining the extent of the disaster at a press
conference. The next day, we went by plane to the disaster area
to try to understand the real situation. There were dense forests
along the way, and no cities. The Oliorge River seemed so vast and
limitless. We also saw the primitive landscapes as reported in
films concerning the Amazon forests.
Their Suffering Is Also Ours
Master loving instructed everyone to be careful about contagious
diseases, as well as the infection of malaria, before we set out.
In the deep forests amid the mountains, members of the
relief group experienced for the first time the fierceness
and the viciousness of the mosquitoes and insects. We now
could realistically feel what the victims had been suffering
and what they might need. After getting to the disaster
area, we found that all the supplies had been delivered by
wooden boats; and because the tribes along the river were
scattered about on the mountain sides, the supply line was
dragged out very long and very far away. Consequently, the
relief team rushed to purchase more supplies at Port
Aiyaguchou. After getting in contact with the county
magistrate of the disaster area, we found out there were
many more victims in urgent need. So, as soon as everything
was ready, we rented boats to enter the disaster area.
While Sailing In A Storm, Master Protected Us
The group members rented a big ship and a wooden boat
from Port Aiyaguchou, shipping about ten tons of provisions,
clothing and medical supplies. The river water kept rising
higher and higher. The situation seemed really overwhelming,
and suddenly the motor of the wooden boat broke down in
the middle of the river -- we could have been pulled
downward along with the rapids. All the fellow practitioners
in the boat immediately meditated, praying to Master to give
us the power to overcome the crisis. Soon after that, the
motor finally started again, and the captain quickly steered
the boat to the side of the river. Shortly after that the
boat wouldn't start again. It was already past midnight. We
rowed with small wooden oars, sailing in the darkness of
the night toward another village to borrow a motor. We were
finally able to get back to the big ship and continue on
our journey.
The Best Manifestation Of Helping Others Is Helping Oneself
Along the river, we visited the victims in Esmeralda and
Maraca Villages, distributing Master's sample booklets and
provisions all the way by a speedboat, to almost every
community. Everyone in the villages stood along the
riverbank, greeting and accepting relief materials. Their eyes
showed appreciation. It was a natural and simple expression
of their gratitude, but they were really touched by the
relief group. The last stop was Platanal Village where
bananas were grown by the people. After we got ashore, we
found it was really a paradise on earth with green hills
and clean water, rivers in front and mountains behind. There
was a Catholic church in the village, run by an Italian
Father, Jose Bortoli. He preached in this area and taught
villagers Spanish and Yanonami. There were more than twenty
communities in this big village. The Indians in this area
were the most peaceful of all. Every adult and child, young
and old, all came down to the riverbank to welcome the
relief group. We, in a very sincere way, also offered the
suggestion that they not eat meat and eat more vegetables
and vegetarian food instead. The local people were touched
by our sincerity. Father Jose Bortoli also expressed his
admiration and compliments about Master's virtuous deeds of
relief. He said that it had been more than a month since
the disaster happened, but only the Supreme Master Ching Hai
International Association provided the most direct and the
most thorough assistance. This action deserves respect from
all Venezuelans. He warmly invited us to stay in their
church dormitory. That was the first night since we set
out, two or three weeks ago, that we were able to enjoy
the calmness and peacefulness. The next day, they arouse the
whole villagers to help allocate the provisions, and ship
them to other disaster areas. All the relief materials had
now been distributed. It was a great relief to every member
of the group. Finally there was chance to sit down together
with them, singing hallelujah happily. As we were saying
good-bye, the villagers all ran over again to see us off.
Those children who had nothing on, waved both their hands
to us. Tears had already filled our eyes. We were all very
touched that Master's holy love was so boundless, so
infinite.
Throwing Out A Minnow To Catch A Whale, Appealing To Venezuelans To Give Relief
Leaving the Amazon jungle, we went back to Port
Aiyaguchou to attend an interview with Radio Amazona. The
News Department also gave an account of the disaster relief
situation to encourage Venezuelan people to donate one peso
per person; then the native Indian villagers would have
clothes to wear. Our action was just like throwing out a
minnow to catch a whale, to awaken the brothers and sisters
in Venezuela to generously lend a helping hand.
From this trip, the best harvest was realizing that
Master and disciples are connected heart to heart, helping
others is actually helping ourselves, and further
understanding deeply the spirit of 'Other's suffering is also
ours; other's agony is our agony too,' as taught by Master.
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