Page 7 - 20160429 Compassion Relief for Sierra Leone

EBOLA COMPASSION RELIEF

thorny obstacles in their way. The children of No. 2 may have touched some children and staff when he
River were joined by the people of that small village was symptomatic and not know it. I could not wrap
to welcome us with songs and prayer. Those at my mind around how petrified the children and staff
Newton were supported by the amputees of that were during those 21 days. Baker is credited for
community and other community members. The saving the lives of many children before his death.
orphans of Newton sang and danced for us as we Master Cheng Yen’s Tzu Chi donations
entered and departed their community. Allentown benefited about 200 Ebola orphans with three
was a loud and vibrant site to see with beautiful months food supplies (rice & rice flavor), rice bowls
children and caregivers. The orphans of Allentown and spoons, beds, and blankets. The children
were joined in songs and prayer by caregivers and thanked us with songs and their beautiful smiles.
others to welcome Tzu Chi and partners. When the donations were handed to them and their
At St. George’s Orphanage (a well-managed caregivers, their beautiful faces lit brightly, and, at
institution), the situation was joyful and somber at the that moment, you could see that their sorrows were
same time. St. George’s orphanage made international tugged in the backburner. Even though avoiding
news when its heroic manager, Augustine Baker, was body contacts was encouraged to avoid the spread
infected by Ebola while rescuing Ebola orphans in of Ebola, some children could not help hugging us or
affected communities and died. A week or so after reaching out for our hands to express gratitude. The
Baker’s death, his supportive wife also succumbed to caregivers and children asked that we remember
the deadly Ebola virus. When Baker died, the entire them in the near future with food, shoes, clothing,
staff and orphans at St. George’s were quarantined and educational support. Even though I made no
for 21 days. When asked of the experience of being promise to them, I assured them that Master Cheng
quarantined, the staff responded that they were very Yen will hear about them and send me back to serve
terrified and worried for the children and each other. them.
They feared that their interactive and jovial manager