Guatemala

 

On September 19, 2011 a series of four earthquakes, measuring between 4.5 and 5.8 on the Richter scale, struck Guatemala’s southwestern coast. The tremors were followed a day later by a large mudslide in the northwestern department of Huehuetenango. Several casualties were reported as evacuation and rescue efforts were launched.

With Her love and prayers, Supreme Master Ching Hai sent an emergency fund of US$10,000 to our Association members in nearby Costa Rica, as well as instructions to render timely aid to those affected. Our Costa Rican relief team then traveled to Guatemala and met with representatives of the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) in Cuilapa, Santa Rosa.

After a preliminary assessment of the people’s needs, the team bought staple provisions, including rice, beans and corn, for 600 households. Once the supplies were packed, with the help of local volunteers, the team visited the communities of Cerro Chato, Media Lengua, La Esperanza, Llano Grande, Los Chilitos, and La 46 in the Municipality of Santa Maria Ixhuatan, and Cuesta Chiquita, Renacimiento, and Agua Sarca in the Municipality of Cuilapa.

The impoverished, flood-affected families were deeply grateful to Master for Her help, love and comfort, with the mothers and elderly being especially overjoyed to receive the food, which was sufficient to last for many days. “Now I don’t have to die, because God listened to my prayers and sent an angel to help me,” said an old lady. “Tell Her that She is a very special person and that we are truly happy that She has such a big heart.”

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