Helping Flood-Affected Neighbors

In mid-June, 2011 a tropical storm caused flooding and severe crop destruction across the beautiful nation of Belize. After hearing news of the event, Supreme Master Ching Hai immediately contributed US$10,000 in relief funds and requested our nearby Association members to go if possible to render aid to the most vulnerable.

Upon arriving in Belize on July 10, our Association’s relief team from Costa Rica went to the main headquarters of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in Belmopan, where they met Mr. Barret Palacio, officer of the regional Ministry of Agriculture of Punta Gorda, an important southern coastal city. Mr. Palacio kindly provided a list of the four most severely affected villages near Punta Gorda, which housed 35 families in need.

The next day, thanks to the generosity of a local store owner, the team was able to purchase food and prepare 35 packages at the store with the help of a Ministry officer and store employees. The store owner and another man also lovingly contributed several bags of candy for the children. Due to the extreme weather conditions, the distribution work was delegated to regional NEMO officers, who planned to visit the villagers as soon as the flood waters receded.

Upon returning to Belize to meet with Ministry of Agriculture officer Mr. Flint Wagner, the relief team made the decision to help approximately 450 families in the area’s most affected towns. At the NEMO office, the team members quickly prepared 473 food packages with the help of volunteers, and then distributed the supplies on July 13 and 14. Everywhere the team went, the people expressed their deep appreciation to Master for Her loving concern, while the children were delighted to receive the candy.

The Honorable Edmond Castro, Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Transport and Area Representative for Belize Rural North, provided help by coordinating transport arrangements and participating in deliveries, including the one to his hometown of Maskall. While accepting the Press Kit which has been prepared to introduce Supreme Master Ching Hai to members of the media (the Kit can be accessed at http://suprememastertv.com/press-kit/) and during a conversation with a team member, The Honorable Minister Castro showed great interest in organic farming and other methods of vegetable production such as hydroponics, which avoids the destruction of crops by floods.

Copies of Master’s book From Crisis to Peace and the free Sample Booklet introducing Master’s teachings were also happily supplied by the relief team to the local people, who were highly receptive to the vegan diet and Master’s message. The team members were pleased to see that soy milk and many other vegan products are readily available in Belize. They are deeply grateful to Master for giving them this opportunity to learn the lessons of compassion and service to others.

Description	Amount (US$)	Receipt
Food (beans, salt, cooking oil, corn, rice, flour and brown sugar); miscellaneous expenses (packing bags, tips for drivers and helpers)	7,150	A
Travel expenses for relief team members (airline tickets, lodging and food)	1,300	B
Total	US$8,450