The Supreme Master Ching Hai
By Yunnan Province, China Relief Team (Originally in Chinese)
On March 1, 2015, when a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Cangyuan Va Autonomous County in Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China, 32 people were injured, seven severely. In addition, in Cangyuan and Gengma Counties, approximately 12,400 individuals were displaced, more than 220 homes were destroyed, and 15,800 were badly damaged. The government provided relief supplies, including tents, for the affected residents.
Deeply concerned about the welfare of the people, Supreme Master Ching Hai asked our local Association members to render aid. Accordingly, on April 1 our Yunnan relief team purchased 400 military quilts and a supply of school materials for villagers in need in the mountainous area of Cangyuan County, and began distributing the items the next day.
On April 3, our team arrived at the primary school in Danjia Town, Cangyuan Va Autonomous County. As the school building had become too dangerous to stay in after the earthquake, more than 300 students were living in a temporary shelter, with one bed for every two students. We provided the following items to the school: 100 military quilts, 305 school bags, 320 pencil boxes, 30 boxes of erasers and 4,000 pencils. We also ordered 154 sets of school desks and chairs. The local staff and the schoolteachers were very touched, and expressed their gratitude by presenting us with an award banner. The school headmaster also said he wanted to put the word “love” on the new desks as a reminder of the care shown to the school. We also shared Alternative Living flyers and books advocating the vegan diet and environmental protection with the teachers, who accepted everything happily.
On April 4, we reached Mangka Town, which was near the epicenter of the earthquake. Since the affected villagers lived far from one another, we left 300 quilts with the Mangka Town Earthquake Relief Center for distribution to the villagers. Thanks to God’s blessing, the disaster relief work was completed smoothly.
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for Earthquake Relief Work in Lincang Prefecture, China
| Description | Amount (RMB) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Military quilts | 28,800 | A |
| School supplies | 10,037 | B |
| Desks and chairs | 60,060 | C |
| Transportation and lodging | 4,102 | D |
| Total | RMB 102,999 (US$16,799) |
The relief team members paid approximately RMB 600 for their own accommodations, food and transportation expenses.
