Event Blog

DDM (Dharma Drum Mountain) founder Master Sheng-Yen had once said, “Those who provide aid to people in need are bodhisattvas; those who suffer from pain and ordeals are the great bodhisattvas.”

On November 2^nd, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, caused extensive damages in many parts of Philippines. Right after the disaster, DDMBA North America Disaster Relief Group (DDMBA-NA DRG) started its effort to work on the relief fund. Over the past year, with tremendous supports from DDMBA-NA affiliations, namely DDM Centers, DDM Chapters, and various DDM Groups in Canada and USA, DDMBA-NA DRG has since received donations of total USD $ 18,050.  After evaluation of various relief programs for the most devastated areas in Philippines, DDMBA Sangha and DDMBA Disaster Relief Group made a decision to use the fund to assist students in the most damaged areas.

Working closely with DDMSWCF (Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation) in Taiwan, DDMBA-NA DRG learned that DDMSWCF has already reached a cooperation agreement with ABE International College of Business and Accountancy, in Tacloban, Philippines, one of the most Typhoon-Haiyan affected areas. In this Agreement, DDMSWCF will provide spiritual counseling as well as tuition assistance to juniors and seniors at ABE College. DDMBA-NA DRG then decided to provide tuition assistance to students who are in their freshman and sophomore year. 19 freshmen and sophomores, whose home properties were totally destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, were then selected to receive the tuition assistance for the next two semesters.

In April, 2014, Representatives from DDMSWCF visited ABE College in Tacloban City to show their loving-kindness and to finalize the tuition assistance program. During the tuition-award ceremony, students from ABE International College shared their horrifying stories about the damages caused by Typhoon Haiyan and they also expressed their deepest appreciation to DDM for the tremendous support during this very difficult time. Because of the tuition assistance program from DDMSWCF and DDM-NA DRG, these students were able to continue with their college education without any interruptions. DDM’s commitment in providing caring and educational services to those students was once again proved to be vital in this disaster relief effort.

Attached are the Agreement of Cooperation between DDMBA-NA DRG and ABE International College signed by Guo Sheng fa shi, Chairperson of the Board, DDMBA North America, and Jocelyn Lee Tan, School Director, ABE International College, respectively; and photo of students selected to receive the tuition assistance.

(Agreement of Cooperation between DDMBA Disaster Relief Group and ABE International College of Business Accountancy )