Representatives of DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation Visit People Affected by Flooding
In early June, continuous torrential rain heavily hit the communities of Shenmu Village and Tongfu Village in Xinyi Town, Nantou County, causing flooding and landslides that eroded the foundations of many houses. Around 10 households are currently staying in Hoshe temporary shelter at the National Taiwan University Experimental Forest. On the morning of June 8, representatives of DDM Social Welfare & Charity Foundation and local volunteers visited the affected, in an effort to encourage them to rebuild their homes.
Bravely Face the Natural Disaster
In addition to providing relief funds and addressing the villagers’ needs, the Foundation helped the affected residents to bravely face the natural disaster, accept the reality of damages, and deal with what needs to be handled at the moment, while letting go of self-blame and grief. Standing in front of her home filled with memories, which is now covered with mud, Mrs. Jiang, who has lived in Shenmu Village for over 70 years, could not help bursting into tears while volunteers were comforting her.
Continue to See to the Needs of Those Stricken by the Flooding
Besides visiting the Xinyi Town, 10 monastics of the DDM Sangha also led volunteers on visits to affected households in Jinshan District, New Taipei City via six separate routes, offering comfort and bringing calm to people’s minds. The Foundation expressed that they will continue to see to the needs of those stricken by the flooding. In addition to distributing relief materials, it will also try to include school children from affected families in the list for the Scholarship for School Children program, and provide them with both substantial and spiritual support according to their individual needs.
DDM hopes that throughout our society people can also lend a helping hand to the victims, showing kindness and encouragement, to help them move forward to and embrace the future.
Texts: Chang TianPei (張田沛)
Photo: DDM Social Welfare and Charity Foundation (法鼓山慈善基金會)
Translation: Elenda Huang (頤嵐達)
Editor: Chang ChiaCheng (張家誠)