Winter donations for Etwatwa community

Etwatwa and its neighbouring informal settlement in Ekurhuleni recently received a much-needed winter donation jointly made by the FGS Nan Hua Temple, in Bronkhorstspruit, and The Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA).

Several BLIA volunteers and a number of venerable masters, from the temple, gathered on Saturday, June 21, at the sports field in the Etwatwa informal settlement, to facilitate the donations to the needy.

BLIA Johannes chapter’s chairwoman, Dumann Ying, welcomed all and explained that Buddha’s Light is all about compassion, wisdom and loving kindness.

“The masters and volunteers were concerned about the people of Etwatwa and, therefore, joined forces to enable the donation,” said Ying.

She highlighted the fact that the volunteers saved their money in order to purchase the donations.

Master Yi Chun, in her address to the people of Etwatwa, said she hoped the donations would bring them some relief during this winter.

She described the history of BLIA, which was formed in 1992, in Los Angeles, and was a United Nations recognised non-profit organisation.

Master Yi Chun also said that the goals of BLIA were not only to propagate Buddhism, but also education, so that the natural talent of people could be encouraged.

Charitable work benefiting the local communities also formed part of its goals and, finally, the practice of mindfulness and meditation.

She affirmed that all present should do good deeds, speak good words and think good thoughts.

The Restoration Centre Bible Church’s Pastor Shadrack Mbonani also assisted with the organising of the event.

A total of 1 000 needy people benefited from the donations; 300 from Etwatwa, 400 from the neighbouring informal settlement and 300 from the Restoration Centre Bible Church.

The donations included several food items, including sugar, maize meal, rice, oil, samp and kidney beans, as well as shoes, other clothing items and blankets.