Bringing Heaven’s Blessing to the Flooded Regions

To help alleviate the suffering in west Africa where life was disrupted by the severe flood caused by days of heavy torrential rains in July and August, 2008, our local Association members formed relief teams to bring them Supreme Master Ching Hai’s blessing and loving contribution of US$15,000.

On September 7, the relief team from Burkina Faso purchased much-needed relief supplies in the city of Gaoua and transported them to Batié with the help of a local driver, along with Alternative Living and Supreme Master Television bags, sample booklets and SOS climate change flyers. In Batié, they were greeted by the Provincial Director of Social Action, Mr. Pouguyam Boukari, and representatives of the Police Department and the Constabulary. Due to the local conditions, the relief team couldn’t personally deliver the supplies into the hands of the victims; however, Mr. Boukari kindly organized a formal meeting on September 10 to receive the contribution. Among the meeting participants were 20 flood victims, Red Cross volunteers and a police agent.

In response to Master’s loving request of assessing and providing for the immediate needs of flood-stricken people in Liberia, a team of four initiates from Ghana, Togo and Benin arrived in the city of Monrovia on September 11, where they were given a list of affected areas by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for consultation.

In the community of Fiamah, about 1,680 people and 75 households were displaced by the flood. Mr. Jerry Gofa, the community leader, took the relief team to the affected households for assessment. He said that God had answered his call because a few days ago he had been praying and trusting that they would not die of hunger. The following day, the team purchased critical food supplies and distributed them in the company of Mr. Gofa and community elders to people in Fiemah and a nearby community. They also took the opportunity to hand out about 900 SOS Climate Change flyers, 100 sample booklets and 200 Alternative Living bags. People were overwhelmed with excitement upon receiving the gifts from Master and some offered to accommodate the team during their stay. Many expressed their willingness to join our Association. Thank You, Master, for Your blessings and love.

Following the floods in Ségou region, Mali, our Association members from Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo left Ouagadougou for Bamako, the capital city, and purchased relief supplies such as sugar, rice and mats. Thanks to the support from the Director of the Headquarters of Civil Protection, Colonel Traore, and his staff, the team forwarded the supplies to Segou on September 9 by a truck provided by the government. In the presence of a local TV channel, Office of Radios and Television of Mali (ORTM), the team was greeted by the Vice-Governor of Ségou Region, who expressed his appreciation for their help and assured them that the afflicted people would receive all the supplies.

Many thanks for the kind support of the West African people who contributed to the success of the relief mission. May Heaven bless you to quickly overcome the floods and rebuild better lives.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai
for Flood Relief Work In Burkina Faso, Liberia and Mali

(Currency: FCFA)

Item	Burkina Faso	Liberia	Mali	Receipt
Food (rice, oil, tomato paste, salt, millet, vegetable oil, sugar, beans, milk); Supplies (mosquito nets and mats)	749,750	1,760,500	2,064,250	A
Miscellaneous expenses (transportation, accommodation, taxi, gas, etc.)	212,725	800,000	513,750	B
Subtotal	962,475	2,560,500	2,578,000
Total	FCFA 6,100,975 (US$13,772)

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