DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation Aid Chinese-language school and Donate Medical Supplies

Exactly one month after the Myanmar major earthquake, in the morning of April 29, DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation Secretary General Ven. Chang Xing (常惺法師), together with Ven. Yan Kuan (演寬法師) from the Social Care Department, led the Disaster Relief Team deep into the disaster area of Mandalay for the third time. Secretary General Ven. Chang Xing's team of aid workers and the Myanmar business partner of Ming Te Enterprises (明特企業) President Wang Ming-xiang (王明祥) met up with the Deputy Director of Mandalay Kongjiao School Zhou Chang-mei (周昌美) and several other teachers to return again to the two public hospitals where they expressed loving-care to the injured, sick children and disaster victims, while at the same time donating medicine and medical supplies much needed by the hospitals.

The first stop for Ven. Chang Xing was the Mandalay People's Children Hospital, offering blessings and giving encouragement to the children traumatized by the earthquake. That day, the Foundation offered loving care to eight suffering minors and their families, many of whom had undergone amputation. In addition, the childrens' parents lost their livelihoods in the earthquake, which piled onto their heavy financial burden. On top of the urgently needed medical supplies, the Foundation also distributed disaster care funds to the overly stressed victims in an effort to bring some personal relief to them. Ven. Chang Xing and the team then moved on to the People's General Hospital where they continued to provide heartwarming care to the victims and families of the disaster.

In the afternoon, the Foundation team arrived at the Mandalay Kongjiao School to unload their donation supplies for the third time. This batch of relief supplies included 150 units of white rice, cooking oil and mineral water. The school arranged a meeting for their Board of Directors' representative to discuss post-disaster rebuilding plans for the school with the DDM team. The Board representative indicated frankly, "the psychological wounds of the students will remain long after the earthquake. Buildings can be re-constructed, but rehabilitation of the mind and spirit is even more crucial.”

In response, Ven. Chang Xing stated that from past experiences learnt in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake's post-disaster reconstruction, the Foundation is willing to provide psychological counseling, faculty teaching support, "Protecting the Spiritual Environment" curriculum etc. "We bring not only rice and water, but are also prepared to provide educational support, so as to completely rebuild the spiritual home", replied Ven. Chang Xing.

One month after the earthquake of March 28, DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation has ventured deep into the disaster zone three times. From the initial sending and distribution of emergency relief supplies, to the follow-up spiritual support and companionship, the Foundation hopes to provide not only material aid to the disaster victims, but more importantly, rehabilitation of their spirit and mind.

Original Chinese text and photos: DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation
Translation: 張振郁
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL