by Mabel Kaplan, Buenos Aires (originally in Spanish)

When disastrous floods struck Argentina’s northern Santa Fe Province at the end of April 2003, our merciful Supreme Master Ching Hai sent timely material relief in the form of blankets, bath towels, candles and sweets for the children. She also conveyed Her unconditional love, which gave the flood victims the necessary spiritual support and hope to withstand their trying situation. (Please refer to the News #144)

When fellow practitioners first arrived at the relief mission area in Santa Fe, they noticedthat among all the residents the children ere suffering most. Many had inadequate footwear or simply walked barefoot in the wet, cold mud left in the aftermath of the flood.

When our compassionate Master learned of this situation, She sent a second donation to the region, which supplied footwear for the children. This time Master´s love was transmitted to two of the Province’s poorest and most flood-ravaged slums: San Lorenzo and Las Lomas.

In order to accomplish the relief work more efficiently, fellow practitioners from Buenos Aires travelled to Santa Fe to work along with the local initiates. As the project began, the weather was stunning, with the sun shining brightly and the azure sky cloudless.

San Lorenzo was the first district to receive a blessing contribution. There, kindergarten principal Daniela Ferreira, who well understood the needs of the locals, helped with the task of distributing shoes to children. During the activity, Ms. Ferreira was excited and at its completion, she tearfully thanked Master for Her compassion.
The youngsters of Santa Fe smile brightly while receiving shoes supplied by our loving Master Ching Hai.
Then the fellow practitioners journeyed to Las Lomas. There, the local children, along with school principal Liliana Martel and their teachers, gathered at their school, eagerly awaiting Master’s gifts. Then each one, from first graders to teenagers, received a pair of sneakers. Along with the footwear, they also received stickers bearing Master´s image. Most of the youngsters asked about the Supreme Master and wanted to receive more photos of Her to place on their beds.

Everyone involved in the Santa Fe Province relief project worked in a highly focused way, and thus the activity proceeded harmoniously. As Master says, “When we help others, we feel good because we are one with God at that moment.”

And so after the activity, the initiates felt extremely thankful and joyful for having had the chance to be our great Master´s instruments, carrying Her love and blessings to many young people in need. Master, Your children are forever thankful!

 

Expenditures for Footwear Distributed to Children in Santa Fe, Argentina
by The Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Item

Amount (in pesos)

Receipt

Footwear       

4,049.00

#1 & #2

Transportation (from Buenos Aires to Santa Fe)   

   112.94

#3

Local transportation

 

     59.50

#4

Total

4,221.44

(approx. S$1,500)

 


 

 

Report from Lima, Peru

Emergency Aid for Needy Fire Victims

by Edgar and Teresa, Lima (originally in Spanish)

In December 2003, Lima initiates planned an activity aimed at providing a ray of Christmas happiness for local children living in poverty. However, their plans were thwarted due to a fire in the district of Lomo de Corvina, a few kilometers from Lima.

The fire occurred during the first few days of December, and because no water was available, the only means to contain the blaze was with sand. Despite these difficult conditions, through Master’s blessings, no fatalities occurred but approximately 284 families were devastated by the loss of everything they owned.

After the fire was contained, the initiates visited the site on December 22 and distributed food containers, plastic glasses and toilet paper to 200 of the area’s 284 families. Then on December 29, the fellow practitioners again went to Lomo de Crovina to distribute more food containers and plastic glasses. When the residents received the relief materials, the practitioners could see the gratitude and comfort in their eyes as Master’s blessings poured into them, and their sadness abated.

The Lima initiates are grateful for the opportunity to spread Master’s love and kindness to their brothers and sisters in need.

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