The Supreme Master Ching Hai
By Korean News Group (Originally in English)
Upon hearing of the plight of Syrian refugees, Supreme Master Ching Hai asked our Association members to please provide much needed relief aid, with funds available for reimbursement. In December 2012, our Association members from Tunisia and Korea brought food and medicine to 150 Syrian refugee families living in Egypt. A contribution of US$2,650 from our Association members from Korea was used to purchase the emergency supplies.
We learned about what relief items were needed from an Egyptian government official who was caring for the Syrian refugees in the region. Acting on the official’s advice, we purchased oil and rice, which we then packed and delivered to the refugees’ camp. With the help of a local friend we also delivered medicine to 100 families with sick children in another camp.
On reaching the first camp, our team members witnessed families living in unfavorable conditions in mostly cold, unfurnished apartments. We were informed that residents were awaiting the delivery of household necessities such as mattresses, refrigerators and washing machines, for which government officials had already applied.
The team learned that most of the refugees had fled Syria to protect their children and nearly all wished to return. Some of the children were orphans living in the care of relatives.
On receiving the provisions, the families were extremely happy and touched, and some even wept as they invited our team members to drink tea with them. In turn, we showed them a picture of Supreme Master Ching Hai while explaining the work of our Association and the benefits of the vegan diet. The refugees then expressed their deepest gratitude and love to Supreme Master Ching Hai and said that knowing they had friends from around the world who cared for them helped ease their sadness and loneliness. The refugees also noted that Syrian food is almost always vegetarian and many said they would happily follow a vegan diet.
The Syrian families were uplifted and thankful and kept repeating, “Al Hamdulellah, Al Hamdulellah,” which in Arabic means, “Thank Allah. Thank Allah. We are really very grateful to Allah.” Our team members also felt elevated and were grateful for the chance to experience the beauty, nobility and touching humility of the Syrian refugees.
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association
for Syrian Refugee Relief Work in Egypt
| Description | Amount (USD) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| White rice, cooking oil and transportation | 2,650 | A |
| Total | US$2,650 |
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