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Today we handed out daily necessities to 2,256 families
at a school in Hungama, a town about 20 minutes from
Hambantota in the district of Ambalantota. A total of
9,598 people were benefited. We had a much larger distribution
area today as the amount we handed out was far less
than our distribution in Tangalla two days ago.
The most challenging obstacle here was the hot weather,
for both Tzu Chi volunteers and local villagers alike.
Everyday the mercury would start rising rapidly at 8
a.m. By 10 a.m, the temperature would become unbearable.
While handing out supplies, our volunteers were thoughtful
in making sure the villagers could reach the distribution
site with minimum exposure to the sun, utilizing the
shade provided by trees and other structures.
The ceremony was held in a schoolyard. There, the local
officials and villagers were the VIPs. The villagers
had their backs to the sun, while the Tzu Chi volunteers
and the local officials faced the sun. At 8 a.m., the
sun was already so glaringly hot that nobody could keep
his or her eyes open. However, considering that the
villagers would face far more exposure later while waiting
in line for their supplies, this half-hour-long ceremony
was relatively short and bearable.
The ceremony began with Brother David Liu reading Master
Cheng Yen's blessings to the villagers, and a summary
of Tzu Chi's activities in Hambantota and reconstruction
plans. The officials and villagers responded with expressions
of deep gratitude for Tzu Chi's support and love toward
the people of Sri Lanka, as evidenced by the duration
and extent of Tzu Chi's aid. The local representatives
reminded the villagers to thank the volunteers and the
people of Taiwan sincerely when receiving the goods.
The genuine emotions expressed by the representatives
ignited a deeper sense of gratitude in the villagers.
Following the ceremonial handouts to the 10 representatives
and sign language song performance, all were led in
silent prayer with the accompaniment of tranquil music.
They prayed to do good everyday; they prayed for no
more disasters in the world; and they prayed for peace.
The villagers, some with their palms pressed together
and some hand-in-hand, prayed silently and sincerely,
each to the savior of his or her religion.
Following the ceremony, the villagers lined up to receive
the supplies. Booth after booth, they were welcomed
and greeted by the volunteers. The villagers returned
the greetings politely and happily. Most villagers came
with neighbors, and some residents rented vehicles to
truck the supplies back together.
Ms. Pushpalatha, a 35-year-old mother, came from a
village 15 minutes away by car. Her husband was a farmer
who was washed away by the tsunami while working in
the rice paddies. Pushpalatha was lucky to still have
her one-year-old daughter and her house. Her husband
used to make about 5,000 rupees a month, enough to support
the family, and now a few hired hands were given charge
to take care of the rice paddies. Pushpalatha came today
with fellow village survivors. Despite the damage she
suffered from the tsunami, she continued to live her
life with a positive attitude.
Seventy-year-old grandma Ranavera came with two walking
canes to pick up her supplies. With such a severe handicap,
she was immediately received by our volunteers. Brother
Chen Kuei-chou accompanied her all the way, along with
two students who helped her carry her bag of rice and
goods. While constantly wiping away Ranavera's sweat,
Brother Chen steadily guided her to the exit to meet
up with her neighbors. Ranavera emotionally kissed Brother
Chen's palm to express her gratitude. She lived with
her equally elderly husband; the couple had no children.
Today we were happy to see a survivor we visited yesterday.
She is Kusumalatha, a mother who had lost her son to
the tsunami. She came by with her husband and 10-year-old
daughter, Sumeda, who is smart and adorable and doing
quite well in school. Ms. Kusumalatha seemed happier
today. She showed us a photograph of her handsome 14-year-old
son. Our volunteers consoled her, saying that her son
in heaven must have been happy to see his mother finally
smiling again.
She told us that since meeting Tzu Chi volunteers,
she has become more relaxed and settled. She expressed
interest in volunteering in Hambantota. Indeed, the
sincere compassion from the volunteers helped to relieve
the pain of a mother who had lost a son.
Today we met approximately 7,000 to 8,000 villagers.
With the help of some 300 local volunteers and some
300 boy scouts and students, we finished handing out
goods to all villagers just after 10 a.m. After the
local volunteers left, Tzu Chi volunteers loaded the
trucks with thousands of leftover bags of rice and other
supplies and headed towards tomorrow's distribution
site. Despite the heavy workload, all volunteers displayed
the utmost cooperation and had hearts filled with joy.
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