September 2024 JTS America Newsletter
Autumn, the season of harvest, has returned. During this time, which should be abundant with the fruits of our labor, many neighbors around the world are still facing hardships due to natural disasters caused by climate change and the ongoing impact of wars. With the warm-hearted support of our donors, JTS continues to travel to various places across the globe, extending a helping hand to those in need. We would like to share updates on our recent activities and express our heartfelt gratitude once again for your support, which makes these efforts possible.
Phase 1 Emergency Relief for Refugees in Mae Sot, Thailand
From May 23 to May 25, 2024, JTS carried out relief efforts in the Mae Sot region of Thailand, providing food and school supplies to schools for Myanmar refugee children. These schools serve as places where refugee children, who fled oppression from their government, can study, and some are also used as temporary shelters.
Emergency Relief for Flood-Affected Areas in Assam, India
This year, as in the past, JTS activists and volunteers in India carried out relief efforts in the flood-affected Assam region. To provide some assistance to residents whose entire possessions were submerged, they delivered urgently needed supplies such as food and soap. Venerable Pomnyun Sunim, who was already scheduled to visit India, also joined the relief activities on-site. We hope that even a small sense of comfort reached these overlooked and isolated areas.
Building 103 Homes in Pakistan
In 2022, Pakistan experienced devastating floods that submerged half of the country. In collaboration with the local relief organization FRDP, JTS built 103 homes for impoverished families who lost their houses to the disaster.FRDP shared the joyful faces of those who regained their homes and a sense of stability in their lives.
Residential Improvement Project for an Elderly Resident, Seo Won-gok, in Masan, Korea
In the first half of 2024, JTS and Happy Citizens collaborated on a support project for vulnerable populations, involving 221 participants across 31 groups from 26 Happy Centers nationwide. Together, they identified and assisted 109 households in need, addressing various challenges.
Among these efforts, we highlight the activities of the Masan Happy Center. While delivering nutrition packages, the Happy Citizens discovered that an elderly resident’s home required urgent repairs. Pooling their resources and efforts, they successfully restored the home’s aging wooden floor, bringing warmth and safety back to the space.
