Giving all out, self energised & moved others

BLIA NZ Earthquake Relief Centre continued to provide multiple services to the public, on 26th February approximately 330 people have came for the services. Venerable Abbess Manshin advised all members and volunteers to continue the service to satisfy the people in need. All BLIA NZ members are filled with passion to serve with no regrets. On 26th February, all BLIA NZ members shared their experience and stories on the earthquake relief:

After the earthquake, BLIA NZ member Lu-Ping’s husband who was located in Hong Kong had called, asking Lu-Ping and three other children to leave New Zealand for their safety. On 23rd February, Lu-Ping continued coming to the temple as a volunteer and the day after, she told her husband that: “I’m not going! I will stay in Fo Guang Shan centre“. All these years, she had relied her house work to the maid, within this few days she had done a lot of work and faced a lot of despair in the BLIA NZ Earthquake Relief Centre. Lu-Ping said that: “It is really tiring, but it is meaningful. I joined BLIA this year and did a lot of things that I have never did for the past 40 years”.

BLIA NZ South Island Sub-chapter secretary Sally Lim mentioned that on 22nd February she promised her friend to meet in Lyttelton and attend an interview later on. She had changed her plan to be in Fo Guang Shan Centre to volunteer because the centre didn’t have any volunteering receptionist on that day. Lyttelton suburb and the city areas were among the places of serious quake zone during the lunch break. Sally realised, if she didn't volunteer at the centre, her live and fate will be in serious danger. She thanked Buddha and bodhisattvas blessings and the Fo Guang Shan members for calling her up on volunteering, or else, she wouldn’t have survived.

Chris, Jamie, Daniella and Sue who lived on Ely Street, which is near Christchurch CBD, had their house damaged and they are without water supply and electricity. The entire family of 5 came to the BLIA NZ Earthquake Relief Centre for a few days continuously to have their meal. On the first day, a masculine man burst into tears when he came to have a takeaway for his mother at home. On the second day, the whole family came with smiles together with the mother and on the third day, the family had even brought some friends over to share the meal and this family has had a new favourite quote to their friends, “This is our home now”.

Miss Kara Qiu Yushan who is studying in Auckland currently and also a frequent volunteer in BLIA NZ North Island came to volunteer in the centre on the third day after the earthquake happened. She had to plead to her lecturer for an early dismissal so she could be helping in BLIA NZ Earthquake Relief Centre in the quickest time possible. Luckily, her lecturer approved it.
She is currently volunteering in the first line, serving food in the relief centre. She expressed that: 1. People that came into the relief centre are moved and enjoyed hot delicious food in the centre; 2. Volunteers are making everyone that came in feel of relief with simple hugs; 3. BLIA NZ South Island members always restore the mood in the centre and have a strong positive vibe; 4. BLIA NZ members gave all victims a place to be dependent on.