Continuing Their Caring, BLIA NZ Donated Pandemic Protective Materials to Christchurch Schools
As the Covid-19 Omicron pandemic continued its rampant spread in New Zealand, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand Abbess Manshin asked Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) South Island to send letters to the Christchurch schools informing them about BLIA’s proposed donation of pandemic protective materials to the schools. The proposal received warm responses from the schools. On 10th March 2022, BLIA South Island Director Kok-Wei Low led 5 members of the Association to donate protective materials to 8 primary and secondary schools in Christchurch. These included Te Waka Unua, St James, Ngutuawa and Mt Pleasant, Sacred Heart, Hornby High School, Wharenui and Rangiora High School. A total of 1,150 masks and 600 hand sanitisers were donated.
The teachers, students and staff of the schools warmly welcomed the BLIA Team. The Principals of Wharenui, Ngutuawa and Te Waka Unua even personally received the BLIA Team. The Principals said that, at this critical time, the pandemic protective materials are in extremely high demand for schools with large number of staff and students. They thanked BLIA members for their kindness in helping their schools overcome the urgent needs.
Schools that received pandemic protective materials later sent letters of thanks to BLIA South Island. Raewyn Ramage, Deputy Principal of Ngutuawa Elementary School, thanked BLIA members for personally delivering the protective materials. In her letter, Melissa Heyrick, a teacher from Rangiora High School, felt incredible that BLIA members were willing to personally deliver the masks and sanitisers to the school at a time when Omicron was running wild, and for that, she was hugely grateful.
Melissa regretted that she was unable to welcome BLIA Team in person during their visit to the school as she was busy with other duty at that time. Nevertheless, Melissa promised to arrange time to visit temple to thank BLIA members personally. In her letter, on behalf of the school, Rose, the Principal of St James Catholic Primary School, thanked the FGS Christchurch Minister-in-charge Venerable Jue Xi for her kindness, caring for the community at this critical time, and helping to relieve the school of the pressure arising from the shortage of pandemic protective materials. Sue Ashworth, Principal of Mt. Pleasant School, said in her letter that she could not welcome the BLIA Team in person due to important matters, but expressed her gratitude to BLIA Team for sending the pandemic protective materials. Hornby High School Deputy Principal Karen Wheeler said in her letter that the school had already posted on social media expressing their gratitude for the good deeds of the BLIA South Island. The school regretted that this year’s FGS’s 3G4G Festival of Cultural Sharing was hindered by the pandemic and could not be held. They look forward to such a meaningful event and hope it will be revived once the pandemic stabilises.
Under the impact of Covid-19 Omicron pandemic, schools in New Zealand have become the hardest hit areas, with 60% of the schools affected. More than 25,000 school staff and students have been quarantined. This is especially serious in Auckland. At this time of the emergency in New Zealand, FGS manages to pass on their kindness to the community, practicing the spirits of Giving and Compassion as advocated in the teachings of Humanistic Buddhism.