BLIA World Headquarter Donated RAT Kits to Schools in NZ
The Covid-19 Omicron pandemic continues to spread in New Zealand. In order to cope with the surge in the public’s demand for Covid-19 testing, the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) World Headquarters in Taiwan specially donated 15,000 RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) kits to New Zealand. These test kits were shipped by Air New Zealand from Taipei to Auckland and they reached Auckland Airport at 9.22am on 11th March 2022. After 3 days (weekends included) of customs clearance, the test kits were finally delivered to Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Auckland by a freight company in the afternoon of 14th March.
Upon the arrival of the test kits, the FGS New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin, immediately led dozens of BLIA members to unload, unpack and repack them. Abbess also contacted Auckland schools to collect these test kits from the Temple and she also sought nearby police officers’ help to distribute the test kits. Meanwhile, Abbess arranged to send immediately 2,700 RAT kits to FGS Temple Christchurch via Air New Zealand. After learning that the RAT kits would be donated to schools in Christchurch for free, Air New Zealand's domestic flight cargo staff consented to provide the freight service for free. The 2700 RAT kits were delivered to Christchurch Airport on the same day, the 14th March. They were then picked up by BLIA South Island member Toney Su.
In the early morning of 15th March, FGS Christchurch Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi led 10 BLIA members to pack the RAT kits, hand sanitizers and masks for distribution to schools. Early in the morning of the same day, Opawa School Principal, Sally Ormandy, came to the Temple in person to pick up the test kits and protective materials. Principal Sally thanked Venerable Jue Xi and BLIA for their kindness and she also decided to help deliver the test kits and protective materials to 2 other schools near Opawa School.
On the same day, the 15th March, BLIA South Island members divided themselves into three groups to send the test kits and protective materials to 12 schools. The school staffs who received the supplies were delighted and moved. Some schools had received hand sanitizers and masks delivered by BLIA Team last week, and upon receiving RAT kits this time, they praised BLIA Teams for their compassion and enthusiasm. Later, the BLIA Teams informed the schools that the RAT kits were sent by BLIA World Headquarters from Taiwan. The school staffs were awe-struck and could not help but praised BLIA World for their compassion and efficiency.
Hornby High School Principal, Roban, and Assistant Principal, Karen, were moved by the large quantity of RAT kits delivered by BLIA South Island to them. Principal Roban had posted to the school's online website a photo of the hand sanitizers delivered to them last week, and this had received good feedback from the public. Assistant Principal Karen said that the students look forward to the "3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing" activity and they hope to continue participating in the event next year.
Te Komanawa Rowley School Principal Graeme, together with the students, expressed their gratitude to FGS Christchurch for the timely receipt of the RAT kits and protective materials. Mat Bateman, the principal of Burnside Primary School, personally received the supplies. He said that currently some teachers and students of the school were tested positive for Omicron and were quarantined at home. Only 6 teachers could come to school to teach. It was essential to take adequate pandemic prevention measures. These RAT kits and protective materials were very important and came in time.
Sacred Heart school Principal Frank said 50 of its students were sick and were absent from school, but the school staffs were in good health. In addition to thanking FGS South Island, Principal Frank also expressed his concern for the safety of BLIA members who risked being exposed to Omicron by undertaking the delivery mission. Merrin Primary School Representative, Andrea, received the RAT kits and protective materials on behalf of the school. She reported that the school’s teachers and students were currently in good condition, and they were all taking active measures to face the pandemic. Lea Ann, a staff member of Kirkwood School, said that the RAT kits and protective materials would help remind the students to be more aware of pandemic prevention.
To date, FGS Christchurch has donated a total of 2,250 RAT kits, 600 masks and 384 hand sanitizers to 7,000 students and staffs of 15 primary and secondary schools in Christchurch. Most of the schools have participated in the "3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing" event, and have always maintained friendly and interactive relationships with FGS South Island. Under the current shortage of RAT kits and protective materials in New Zealand, FGS’s supplies came like timely rain, helping to solve the urgent needs, and working together with the community to tide over the difficult situation.