September 2022 JTS America Newsletter
In September, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim traveled to India, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Despite limited time, he visited several different places meeting many people in difficult situations and consoling them. We’d like to give our special thanks to the local volunteers who ensured that all of the schedules went smoothly, and those of you who have supported JTS financially.
100,000 gas burners delivered to the Rohingya refugee camp
On September 8, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim delivered 100,000 gas burners prepared by JTS to the refugee camp in Bangladesh.
In 2019, JTS also sponsored 100,000 gas burners. The gas burners provided to the camp in 2019 helped eliminate excessive logging in the nearby forests and it has made the environment green again. Additionally,women and children collecting firewood had experienced crimes in the forest but they are no longer exposed to the danger.
Visit to Sujata Academy
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim visited Sujata Academy for the first time in two and a half years. He thanked the volunteers who made Sujata Academy possible for the past 29 years. He also met with the students and handed out gifts to them. He attended classes with the students, visited the Jivaka Hospital, which was also founded by JTS, and participated in the Sujata Academy Festival.
Visit to Mindanao School in the Philippines
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim stayed in Mindanao, Philippines for seven days with thirty JTS volunteers. They visited the schools established by JTS and distributed uniforms and school supplies to the children attending the schools. These are schools on the military border in remote areas that are out of the reach of the government. It was rewarding to see the students studying hard under difficult circumstances.
Opening Ceremony of Midlutong School in Mindanao, Philippines
On September 12, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim and JTS volunteers participated in the opening ceremony of the Midlutong School. Since it was located in a very remote area, building materials had to be carried in by boat. Coupled with the transportation issues, the pandemic further delayed the construction, so it took two years and seven months to finish the project.
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim also visited the Miccasili School and handed out school supplies and snacks to the students. Miccasili School was built by inexperienced residents who built the school while learning how to do it.
