The Supreme Master Ching Hai
By Costa Rica Relief Team (Originally in Spanish)
Continuous heavy rainfall from June to July 2015 caused widespread flooding in Costa Rica. On June 21, the floods isolated 25 communities in the northern and Caribbean regions. Hundreds of people were displaced. Six days later, another 200 communities in the northern and eastern areas of Costa Rica were affected by further rainfall. The people in Sarapiquí were among the most affected by the flood that took place in early July. Two shelters were forced to reopen with one of them housing 466 people.
Following Master’s loving instruction to help those in need, our Association members in Costa Rica prepared 152 relief packages containing basic hygiene items and kitchen supplies, as well as additional packages containing clothing and utensils. Our local Association members contributed CRC 1,265,665 (US$2,345) for the relief work. On July 30, our relief team drove a loaded truck to Puerto Viejo of Sarapiquí. After arriving at the local office of Institute of Rural Development (INDER), the staff from INDER and the National Emergency Commission (CNE) helped us sort the packages and load them onto four trucks.
The next day we visited the most desperate areas to distribute packages to Tambor, Copalchí and Barbudos communities. We also went to other communities, including Remolinito, Masaya, La Delia and Caño San Jose, to give out the remaining packages. In addition to supplies, we shared Master’s book The Dogs in My Life with the local people, including two schools. The recipients expressed their deep appreciation, and one woman even gave us a bag of passion fruit in return. Our special thanks to the drivers for their kind support.
Even though we were tired at the end of the day, we felt happy to make a difference in people’s lives. We pray that severe weather events such as these cease as more people turn toward compassionate living through a vegan diet.
Expenditures by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for Flood Relief Work in Costa Rica
| Description | Amount (CRC) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Hygiene items, kitchen supplies, utensils and clothing | 1,265,665 | A |
| Total | CRC 1,265,665 (US$2,345) |
