Wholeheartedly Helping the Flood Affected

Heavy downpours have been pounding Bolivia continuously since January 2010, causing deaths and catastrophic floods almost everywhere in the country with nearly 28,000 families deeply affected. Following Supreme Master Ching Hai’s loving instruction, a relief team made up of our Association members from the United States and Costa Rica, went to Bolivia on February 12 with Her US$18,000 contribution to assist the affected people by providing them with basic necessities.

After meeting with the head and the coordinator of COED (County Operational Emergency Department) in Santa Cruz, the team bought nearly 33,000 pounds of staple foods, enough to feed the needy families for at least three weeks. Medical supplies were also prepared, and a doctor accompanying them helped to distribute the medicines and treat the sick.

Travelling by boat for nearly 60 hours, our group was able to reach the areas in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz Provinces, where no other organizations had gone. Thanks to the assistance of Mr. Olivera, the Deputy Governor from Santa Cruz Prefecture; Mr. Eduardo Descarpontries; Mr. Guillermo Montaño, the Captain of Villarroel Port; the chiefs of 9 native ethnic groups; and Mr. David Pérez, the Department Assemblyman of the native Mojeño people, the team developed a strategic plan to deliver the relief supplies to almost all the communities in the most affected areas.

The recipients of Master’s loving care, living in difficult conditions, showed much joy and gratitude upon obtaining this aid which was the first that they had received. The relief team members thank Supreme Master Ching Hai for this opportunity to learn how to serve others unconditionally.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association
for the Flood Relief Work in Bolivia

Description	Amount (BOB)	Receipt
Food (cooking oil, flour, beans, noodles, rice, drinking water and sugar)	105,552	A
Medications	18,149	B
Relief team members’ travel expenses (accommodation, airline tickets, transportation) and printing fee for flyers	42,751	C
Total	BOB166,452 (US$23,862)