2018 Formosa Winter Relief

By Formosa News Team (Originally in Chinese)

At the end of 2017, a cold front came along with piercingly cold winter wind. Providing TWD 1.2 million (US$40,000) in relief, Supreme Master Ching Hai instructed our Formosan Association members to visit people in need as soon as possible and offer them assistance and care. Following Master’s loving instruction, from December 2017 to February 2018, our Formosa centers conducted winter relief activities to pass on the warm love of Master to every corner of the counutry. Local centers also donated TWD 519,546. In total, TWD 1,719,546 was spent on relief supplies and cash contributions during the relief efforts.

Keelung Center

On January 19, 2018, our Association members worked with Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation and donated winter clothes to disadvantaged people, including 50 winter coats, 30 pairs of pants, and 30 scarves, totaling TWD 18,800.

We personally measured each persons clothing size, and helped them select the garments which would fit the best. The chief of the Keelung Shelter of Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation, Mr. Zhou, especially thanked Master and the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association for our cooperation with Zenan Foundation over the years and presented a thank-you letter to our Association for giving care to the homeless during the cold winter before the Lunar New Year.

Our Association members received notification from the Xizhi District officer and the community nursing care that more immediate assistance was needed in a nearby neighborhood. Thus, from February 1 to February 3, 2018, our Association members visited 4 individuals in need of urgent support. They had been in financial difficulties mostly due to treatments or suffering from chronic illness, forcing them out of work. To each person, we provided TWD 10,000 in cash as financial support plus a gift bag consisting of 2 packs of vegan meat, floss and one of the two Master’s books, Aphorisms (II) or Secrets to Effortless Spiritual Practice. The total sum of the financial support was TWD 40,000.

Taipei Center

In the winter of 2017, Northern Formosa experienced a cold snap, temperatures plunged even lower at night with enduring torrential rain. Taipei Association members were concerned that the homeless were in need of warm clothes and supplies. So on December 15, initiates together with members from New Taipei City Volunteer Association, moved a total of 26 boxes of clothes donated by our center to the Yuan Heng Temple in New Taipei City for storage. We planned to distribute them later to those in need.

Many boxes of other donated supplies were also sent to the Wanhua Social Welfare Service Center in Taipei. About 20 to 30 homeless were at the scene. Dressed up as Santa Claus, we distributed the gift bags which were filled with biscuits and candies to the vulnerable. Mr. Ji, a Social Worker at Wanhua Social Welfare Service Center, said, “When the temperature reaches below 12 degrees, our Service Center will launch a “Shelter and Safety” program to accommodate street-friends, and warm winter supplies will be provided.” Seeing the donated materials, Mr. Ji and the Social Workers were very happy knowing the comfort the extra supplies would bring to those in need. We thank the Wanhua Social Workers for their most dedicated and loving work.

From January 30 to February 6, 2018, our Association members once again visited the Linkou Homeless Shelter in New Taipei City, to repair a fireplace and provide warm clothes to its residents. Members also went to the locations where the less fortunate often gathered, such as Banqiao Train Station, Xing Zhuang Sport Park, Taipei Train Station, and Wanhua Social Welfare Service Center. During these evening visits, nearly 400 street friends received Master’s loving care, along with a nourishing vegan soup, vegan burgers, and candies and cookies for New Year celebration. We pray they will all get through the cold winter safely in Buddha’s merciful love. The total expense for the activities was TWD 83,070.

February 2 to 12, with Lunar New Year’s approaching, our Taipei Association members went to nearby Guishan District of Taoyuan City, as well as Zhonghe District and Yonghe District of New Taipei City to distribute winter relief items to disadvantaged families. Members visited 16 families and provided them cash assistance and vegan food. Everyone was very grateful when receiving Master’s red envelops and blessing bags right before the New Year, which brought them loving warmth and encouragement. The total cost of these gifts was TWD 100,646.

To care for street dwellers, New Taipei City and non-governmental organizations jointly held the annual “Lighting up Streets with Love –2018 New Taipei City new Year feast for the homeless” activity. Our Association members provided 20 vegan dishes on February 7, bringing them a warm and abundant feast. Nearly 200 New Taipei City people came and received warm clothing items. Haircut and health checkup services were also provided on site. During the feast, the guests were entertained by inspirational shows. Several homeless friends shared emotional stories of their successful journey back into society. Government officials and civil individuals also encouraged them. The representative of our Association conveyed Supreme Master Ching Hai’s care and love. The total cost of supplying vegan food material for New Year feast activity was TWD 53,137.

We sincerely thank the Taipei City Government, Wanhua Social Welfare Service Center, New Taipei City Government, New Taipei City Volunteer Association and other charitable organizations for providing immediate assistance and warmth to the disadvantaged. We are also grateful to Master for Her constant care. She immediately offered financial assistance and instructed members to go to various places in Formosa to care for the homeless and families in need.  Thank You Master for giving us the opportunity to serve and assist the less fortunate in their time of urgent need.

For detailed report on Winter Relief in Taipei please visit:
◎ Deliver donated material to Yuan Heng Temple in New Taipei City and Wanhua Social Welfare Service Center 
◎ Caring for homeless friends    ◎ Visiting poor families   ◎ New Year feast for homeless friends

Taoyuan Center

Formosa Taoyuan Center assigned working staff to each township area to find out the needs of disadvantaged groups. Afterwards, the working staff purchased supplies, including thermos bottles, woolly socks and caps, hand warmers, scarves, gloves, sushi rice, bread, noodles, brewing beverages, and sunflower oil, for winter relief of street friends as well as the poor and vulnerable.

On February 2, 2018, carrying Supreme Master Ching Hai’s unlimited love, our Taoyuan Association members went to Zhongzhen Park in Zhongli District to distribute warm clothing items to the homeless. At 5 PM, our members provided thermos bottles, woolly socks, hand warmers, environmental protection bags and bread to a total of 20 street dwellers; after receiving the material, they were very happy. One of them said: “Having the thermos bottle, I will have hot water to drink in the cold winter. Thank Supreme Master Ching Hai very much for Her tender care!”

On February 5, our Taoyuan Association members visited elders who were living alone and were working for Huashan Social Welfare Foundation in Guishan and Taoyuan Districts. We also visited elderly foragers in Yangmei District who were in desperate need as identified by the Social Bureau, and disadvantaged families in Wenzhong Village and Longgang Village in Taoyuan District. Each of these 60 households received noodles, sunflower oil, white rice, and instant vegan food products.

On February 6, we cooperated with the Taoyuan Pingan Shelter, part of Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation, jointly holding winter relief activities. We prepared wool caps, scarves, gloves, and hand warmers and distributed them to 40 homeless locals, who came to the event, hoping for protection from the bitter cold and to warm their hearts. The homeless have endured hardship year after year, so after receiving the warm clothing, they expressed their heartfelt thanks. We also provided Taoyuan Pingan Shelter with 1,032 kilograms of white rice. The chief of Taoyuan Pingan Shelter, Mr. Zhang Ziwen said: “These are good new year gifts. Thanks to the love of Supreme Master Ching Hai and the caring action of International Association.” He presented a letter of appreciation to our Association.

By working with the Taoyuan Pingan Shelter ( Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation), we have been serving nutritious and healthy vegan food every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Shelter.

We are grateful to our loving Master for Her constant reminder that we should actively care for our compatriots who need help. We are also very grateful for being able to participate in this winter relief activity and deliver Master’s love to brothers and sisters in need.

Hsinchu Center

On January 30, our Hsinchu Association members visited 4 disadvantaged local households who were in financial difficulty since household members were ill and unable to work. We also visited a family member from one of the households in the hospital. On February 3 and 4, we travelled to Hengshan Township and Zhubei City in Hsinchu County and visited two more households on each day. In addition to conveying Master’s concern and care, we brought other items according to the need, including foods, necessities, blankets, crackers, candies and financial assistance, either TWD 2,000 or TWD 3,000. Furthermore, we gifted each household a brief biography of The Supreme Master Ching Hai, a Supreme Master TV flyer, a copy of The Key of Immediate Enlightenment sample booklet, God Takes Care of Everything, as well as The Supreme Master Ching Hai News Magazine. We hope that aside from offering the material and spiritual support, we can also fulfill their spirits.

Meanwhile, with the assistance from the County’s Department of the Social Welfare, we obtained more information on the whereabouts of other individuals living it rough. Therefore, on February 4 and 8, we visited 9 homeless friends in Zhubei City and Zhudong Township in Hsinchu County, respectively. Based on their needs, we brought living necessities, warm clothing items, blankets, and hand warmers as well as TWD 2,000 to each person. We talked to them about Master and the concept that all beings in the world are united, belonging to one family of God. We reminded them to remember God wherever they are. Further more, we shared with them various publications, including a brief biography of The Supreme Master Ching Hai, a Supreme Master TV flyer, a copy of The Key of Immediate Enlightenment sample booklet, God Takes Care of Everything, The Supreme Master Ching Hai News Magazine.

Over the course of visiting and conversing with the homeless, we learned that each had a story to tell. Some individuals expressed their gratitude for the love and care they have received and would like us to give the financial contribution to those in more dire situations, as they found employment. We thank God for helping us realize that everything Master has instructed us to do comes from Her infinite love and blessing. She has given us the opportunity to develop ourselves and share our love and care with the people.

Miaoli Center

Our Miaoli Center mobilized members to visit the homeless and distribute warm food prepared by Loving Hut restaurant, in Miaoli. Our Association members also prepared winter supplies, food, and financial assistance. From January 28 to February 3, 2018, we visited 6 homeless friends at Miaoli Train Station. After receiving the supplies and cash assistance, each recipient repeatedly thanked Master. We visited two more homeless friends at Yuqing Palace Park. They temporarily stayed in caves and had quilts to keep warm, so we gave them food and cash assistance; each received TWD 3,000.

In addition, members asked leaders of different villages to take them to visit elders who were living alone and poor families, to give them winter supplies and cash assistance. We visited them in Miaoli City, Sanyi Township, Gongguan Township, and Zhunan Township. To the most needy families, we gave each TWD 5,000 and to another five families, we gave each TWD 3,000.

Our Association members sincerely thank Master for giving us the opportunity to help the disadvantaged, and to convey God’s love which cares for them. We pray that all the vulnerable will safely spend the winter in love and warmth.

(to be continued….)

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Winter Relief Work in Formosa

Note: all items are vegan