Mr. Cwerman began the program with an overview of HDI’s past and present landmine programs in Southeast Asia and Africa, with an emphasis on HDI’s holistic approach to landmine clearance. Ms. Brusseau followed with a presentation on the history and work of PeaceTrees Vietnam with a personal touch as the organization was founded shortly after the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam – a goal that was always in the back of Ms. Brusseau’s mind after her brother perished in the Vietnam War in 1969.

Ambassador Giang concluded the program and reminded the audience that this year marks both the 15th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations and the 35th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. The Ambassador described the course his country has taken since the end of the war, painting a picture of development, challenges and determination. Ambassador Giang also touched upon HDI’s “Mushrooms with a Mission” project and hailed the program as “the right project at the right time.”

The audience was engaged during the two and half hours presentation and raised a number of questions for each speaker. Ven. Hui Chi, Ven. Yi Kung and trustees from the University of the West also participated in this lecture and raised great interest in hosting this event in the campus in the near future.

Welcome to Hsi Lai Temple

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Jerilyn Brusseau, Ralph Cwerman, Ven. Yi Kung and Ven. Tzu Chuang

Mr. Songkane Luangmuninthone spoke specifically about the landmine and unexploded ordinance (UXO) problem in his country. He shared with us a tragic story of a friend who lost both feet because he accidentally set off a landmine while farming. His is a story shared by countless children and adults in Laos. Mr. Takuto Kubo spoke about the work UNMAS is doing in landmine removal, mine risk education and victim assistance. Mr. Steve Ginther reviewed the HDI’s many outstanding programs in Southeast Asia.

You can view their presentations and videos right here (below)! We highly recommend you give all three a once over. The presentations and videos are extremely informative, and there’s no better way to learn more about this very important cause.

Guest Speakers

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Mr. Steve Ginther, HDI Program Manager for Mine Action; Mr. Songkane Luangmuninthone, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations; and Mr. Takuto Kubo, Planning Officer for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). (From L to R)

Presentation by Mr. Songkane Luangmuninthone

UNMAS Presentation by Mr. Takuto Kubo

HDI Presentation by Mr. Steve Ginther

UNMAS video:

Doing good deeds means cultivation of our bodies. This means not killing, not stealing, not committing sexual misconduct and not harming others. It means doing kind acts to benefit others, performing virtuous acts, beautiful acts and beneficial acts. This is how we use our bodies to do good things.

Speaking good words means cultivation of our speech. This means not lying, not using double-tongued speech, frivolous speech or harsh speech. It means speaking compassionately, rationally, wisely and truthfully. A person who cultivates speech speaks words of goodness, and a truthful speaker, a realistic speaker, who tells it like it is, does not say anything fantastic and is not a liar.

Thinking good thoughts means cultivation of our minds. This means not having suspicious, jealous, greedy, hateful or ugly thoughts. It means having thoughts that are compassionate, joyful, determined, kind and devoted. This is how we use our minds to think good thoughts.

We would like to thank all our special guests and our volunteers for making this beautiful event possible. We hope to continue interfaith dialogue to spread understanding and cooperation. After all, the message behind the Three Acts of Goodness is common to people of all faiths – to show love and compassion to all people.

Apostle Queen N. Varick

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