Buddha's Light International Association

On Sunday, July 11, 2010, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) and the Humpty Dumpty Institute (HDI) coordinated a Landmine Education Presentation in Hsi Lai Temple, Hacienda Heights, CA. The presentation focused on the work being done in regards to landmine and unexploded ordinances (UXO) in Vietnam. Sunday’s program held particular significance as it marked the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam. The panel of speakers included Ambassador Bui the Giang, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Vietnam Mission to the United Nations, Ms. Jerilyn Brusseau, Co-founder of PeaceTrees Vietnam, and Mr. Ralph Cwerman, President of HDI. Devotees of the temple and other community members attended to make up an audience of over 150 people. Special guests included Vietnam War veterans and University of Southern California (USC) students working on school projects.

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

On June 20th, 2010, Buddha’s Light International Association New York and The Humpty Dumpty Institute held a Landmine Education Presentation in Flushing, NY. Our special guest speakers included Mr. Songkane Luangmuninthone, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations, Mr. Takuto Kubo, Planning Officer for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and Mr. Steve Ginther, HDI Program Manager for Mine Action.

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:

The Buddha’s Light International Association Representative to UN ECOSOC – NGO Branch, Venerable Miaohong, recently visited Haiti on a trip organized by The Humpty Dumpty Institute. She went to learn about what has been done and still needs to be done to help rebuild Haiti after the country’s devastating earthquake.

These are her thoughts and photographs:

“I would like to thank The Humpty Dumpty Institute for inviting me to join the Congressional Staff Delegates trip to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti on April 16, 2010. The trip was informative, inspirational, well organized, and a good learning experience. I think HDI deserves a lot of credit for putting this trip together. I especially appreciate the professionalism of Capera Clement, HDI’s Program Manager for US/UN Relations.

Although we are all aware that Port-au-Prince was badly damaged by the massive earthquake this year, I went to Haiti to learn firsthand how bad the damage is and to see it with my own eyes. I also wanted to witness the recovery activities that so many countries and people are participating in with compassion and love in order to help this country.

Everyone should know that the U.S. government and the American people are working hard to assist this country in rebuilding. First aid supplies, food, medical professionals, security, transportation, schools – all are being provided by someone in the U.S. This is something all Americans should be proud of.

Additionally, the UN is doing a remarkable job of coordinating the aid that is coming from so many different countries to help the victims of the earthquake in so many different ways. The work the UN is doing is something that all of us should be proud of.

After visiting Haiti, I realized what a tremendously tough job this is going to be. Everything in Haiti is damaged. And one of the worst things is that before the rebuilding can begin, the old, damaged structures need to be removed. The amount of rubble and debris is, well, I’m not sure what words can describe it, but maybe depressing and discouraging gives you an idea. I don’t know how they are going to get it done, but I do know they need our help.

Why did this happen to Haiti? I don’t know. But I do know that the damage is not just to buildings and roads. The damage is also to the Haitian people. The despair and fear in children’s eyes is something we can’t ignore.

Haiti needs our help. Haiti needs our compassion.”

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An aerial view from American Airlines flight approaching Aeroport Toussaint L'Ouverture Port-au-Prince, Haiti.