The Supreme Master Ching Hai
Buenos Aires, Argentina Relief Team (Originally in Spanish)
In early August 2015, heavy rainfall lashed at parts of Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. Within only five days, almost six times the average rainfall for the entire month of August had fallen. More than 11,000 people were evacuated, and at least three lost their lives due to the flooding. Many rivers overflowed their banks and inundated the cities nearby, damaging houses and cutting off some roads. Police, firefighters and Red Cross workers traveled by boat to give food and basic supplies to the victims.
Our Association members from Buenos Aires, following Supreme Master Ching Hai’s instructions to help those in need and with funds from Master totaling US$9,613, carried out relief work in three of the most affected cities: Luján, Mercedes and Salto.
On August 17, we went to Luján City and distributed 300 bags of food items, each containing four kilograms of rice, five packets of noodles, sugar, salt, corn flour, yerba (an herb for a popular tea drink in Argentina), three cans of tomatoes and a can of peas. A kind woman took us to a disadvantaged neighborhood that had not received help. We gave three bags to a lady who used to run a soup kitchen for children, and distributed some to the local people. In the Basilica area of the city, another kind man on a motorbike offered to show us the way to one of the most flooded areas, where we shared many more items. Deeply touched, a lady who had earlier shown us the damage to her house, called and left a message expressing her “eternal appreciation” to Master.
On August 20, we traveled to the city of Mercedes where we gave out another 300 food bags to families in various neighborhoods, such as Malvinas Argentinas and Marchetti. The recipients thanked Master wholeheartedly, and a man said: “May God bestow Her many years of life!”
Three days later we went to the city of Salto, where the river had doubled its regular volume, reaching nine meters high. Prior to our trip, many of our friends and relatives, and schools entrusted us with clothes they had collected. We also prepared 300 blankets in addition to the 300 food bags. All were distributed in the most severely affected neighborhood of Trocha. Our truck driver also contributed clothes and helped people carrying their food bags. He told us that he would like to meet Master, who is such a special person. The people were very touched by Master’s compassion, and repeatedly exclaimed, “May God Bless Master abundantly!!!”
All the relief team members were filled with gratitude to Master for this great opportunity to serve and help our brothers and sisters in distress, and for allowing us to be Her humble instruments to convey Her Love, comfort and blessings to the most affected.
Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai for Flood Relief Work in Argentina
| Description | Amount (USD) | Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Food (rice, noodles, corn flour, cans of peas, tins of tomatoes, yerba, salt and sugar) | 98,887.78 | A-C |
| Blankets | 31,925.00 | |
| Transportations and bags | 13,384.99 | |
| Total | ARS 144,197.77 (US$9,613.18) |
Relief team members paid for their own travel expenses.
