Everything started when we first received Master's instructions to organize a charity sale of Her personal belongings: Clothing, shoes, ornaments, etcetera. All the income from the sale was to be used to help the orphans and the poor in Formosa. Fellow initiates have always treasured all the things that Master has used and have always longed to have them. In addition, with an understanding of Master's care and love for the less fortunate, as soon as they heard about the sale for charity, all the fellow initiates came and all felt honored to assist with this big event. As of now, NT$30,772,485 (1,118,999 USD) has been raised. As well,the relief fund in Formosa currently amounts to NT$21,112,336(767,721 USD). Please refer to the appendix for details. (detail ledger) Not long ago, the Au Lac refugees in Palawan, the Philippines were been benevolently accepted by the Philippines government. These refugees who have just regained their freedom received a contribution of fifty thousand USD from Master. This contribution will help them with their medical expenses and the rebuilding of their homes. (Receipts will be provided in the next issue.) Recently, an amount of three hundred thousand USD was contributed to mainland China to address the urgent need created by the severe hunger and cold resulting from the flood in Hunan Province. Detailed information on the contribution will follow. So far, the cash surplus is 1,278 USD. This will be used as required to help the poor and orphans in Formosa and all over the world, based on Master's instructions.

Activities in other areas    

Private Xin Yi Children's Home

Lending A Helping Hand

By Chiayi News Group, Formosa

As Formosa was hit by one cold front after another, the needs of the less fortunate because more and more evident. Wanting the help, Supreme Master Ching Hai sold Her personal belongings at a charity sale to raise funds for children of impoverished families as well as orphanages and homes for the elderly in Formosa. Fellow practitioners in Yunlin and Chiayi in central Formosa decided to work together on this mission of love.

First, the Yunlin relief team offered aid to thirteen families on a list provided by the local family welfare center. With the recommendations of the welfare center, each family received the type of assistance appropriate to their situation.

When the Chiayi center learnt that Nanhua Home desperately needed funding, fellow practitioners immediately paid a visit to the home, bringing with them gifts of fruit and money. This home was established to provide exclusive care to the seriously mentally disabled who no longer had control over the basic functions of the body. Some of the patients suffered from a number of disabilities. There were two brothers who were nine, but both lay in their strollers, their eyes appearing normal but were in fact unable to see. Their limbs were already showing signs of atrophy. Another patient was a five-year-old mentally handicapped boy, a victim of osteomalacia, who could neither sit nor stand.

Some of these patients had come from police stations because they were lost and didn't know their names or where their homes were. Most came from poor families. Nanhua Home is responsible for most of its own funding. Its staff has to raise funds while having to devote much time and patience to care for these patients.

From Nanhua Home, we headed for the Hsinyi Orphanage in Hsiluo. It was, as its name suggests, an orphanage as well as a day-care center for mentally handicapped children, established under government guidelines.

The director and staff of the orphanage were very open-minded, feeling that everyone should be tolerant toward each other and work hand in hand to create a harmonious society. As we bid them farewell, they asked us to visit them again.

Our next destination was the Sacred Heart Home in Tungshih Rural Township. This home was founded by the Catholic church and now provides care for over a hundred seriously mentally handicapped children. To ensure that each child is well cared for, each staff member is responsible for only four children at a time.

A Filipino nun told us that the home was built entirely on government funding. Part of the living expenses for the children from low-income families is funded by the government as well. The home is responsible for all other expenses. However, an economic slowdown at the present time has seen a decrease in donations and more help will have to come from society if more patients are to be accommodated.

These devoted workers have demonstrated the Christian spirit of indiscriminate love. It is this selfless love that has inspired them to care for the children irrespective of creed and financial status.

The next day, we set out for the Ji Mei Benevolent Home, a home for the elderly in the urban area. When we arrived, we were greeted by its director and entire staff. The previous year, we had organized a party for the elderly here and the event turned out to be a success. Inviting us to hold another party this year, the director commented that our love and enthusiasm for public service is commendable.

After we had presented a gift of money to the Home, we visited Ms. Tseng, a single parent. Her husband had died, leaving behind his old parents, young children and a wife who was forced to become the breadwinner of the household. This was only the first of dozens of single-parent families that were visited. 

Supreme Master Ching Hai's Trip To Northern Thailand   Consider Those Truly In Need! Supreme Master Ching Hai's Love For The Poor And The Homeless