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Among our relief efforts in Hambantota is today's distribution
of rice and other daily essentials. By 7 a.m., a crowd
had gathered, patiently and quietly, at the entrance
of Hongama School in Ambalantota. When we arrived, we
found the tidy results of the previous day's preparations
by school students and volunteers -- flags and work
tables were set up and ready for use, Tzu-Chi and Buddhist
flags surrounded the school's athletic field where the
food would be distributed, and a huge Tzu-Chi relief
banner was hung up.
Before handing out food, a ceremony was held. As the
ceremony began, all volunteers were invited on stage
and greeted by warm applause from the crowd. We started
with a reading of the message from Master Cheng Yen
to the tsunami survivors. Later, all volunteers sang
two Tzu Chi songs. The first one was "Three No's"
(signifying that there is no one on earth that we should
not love, forgive, and trust) and the second was "Prayer."
The climax of the ceremony was the sign language performance
of the song "Three No's." When the music of
"Prayer" was played, all the volunteers pressed
their palms together, praying sincerely that there would
be no more suffering in the world. It was so touching
that it moved people to tears.
The distribution of relief goods to the survivors began
right afterward. Food was distributed in five lines.
There was a glimpse of hope in the food stamp held tight
in the hand of each person waiting in line. People took
the white tickets with their fingerprint stamp to receive
food.
Each household received a standard bag containing two
cans of cooking oil, sugar and milk powder. In addition,
households were given 10 kg of rice for each member.
Students of Hongama School helped carry the rice, while
volunteers and those receiving the food exchanged gratitude
and blessings. Everyone beamed with smiles that had
been absent for so long. Each volunteer felt their hearts
warmed.
At the supply station, some local children were helping
put food into proper packages for distribution. The
children were so simple and lovable, and they worked
very hard. Most of them were about 10 years old and
could carry four 10 kg bags of rice. We were amazed!
Every child was an angel, always shining with the brightest
smile.
The distribution lines were highly efficient assembly
lines. Every volunteer was arranged in a row, relaying
rice and food bags from inside the supply station all
the way out to the front of the line. The whole process,
including cleanup of the distribution site, was completed
before noon. After that, there was a little "thank
you" ceremony for the junior volunteers and local
volunteers.
We gave each junior volunteer two bags of ready-to-eat
rice products, a bag of nutritious bean-rice powder
and a stuffed toy. For local adult volunteers, the same
gifts were provided except that no toy was given. Everyone
was full of joy and delight. Local residents and volunteers
continued to stay with us and seemed reluctant to leave.
They only started to head home when we finally got on
the bus and left.
This has been a very special milestone in my life.
I actually participated in international disaster relief
work with my own hands. I saw the great love of the
Tzu Chi spirit planted and grown in this devastated
land. I felt the immense joy of serving others.
Today the temperature remained around 90 degrees (Fahrenheit)
throughout the whole food handout process. I was soaked
with sweat and my blue uniform was soiled with a white
stain. Yet, the smile on my face came from the bottom
of my heart. I saw the sincere effort and devotion of
everyone. A tremendous sense of gratitude and respect
grew out of my heart.
I sincerely hope that all the tsunami victims will
soon walk out of the shadow of catastrophe and trauma.
I also wish to help those who still need help and to
spread the universal great love of the Tzu Chi spirit
to every corner of the world. I greatly appreciate the
opportunity to be part of the effort to grow and fertilize
this "farmland" of grace. I pray whole-heartedly
that the calamities visited upon all human beings may
be extinguished, that those who suffer be blessed and
that their affliction may be comforted. (By Hsu Chih-yuan,
Tzu Chi collegiate member from Canada)
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