Wednesday 11 January, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Church of Scientology International
VP Cultural Affairs Rev. Ed Parkin
EdParkin@scientology.net
Phone: (323) 960-3500
BANDA ACEH, INDONESIA HONORS THE SCIENTOLOGY VOLUNTEER MINISTERS
The President of the Church of Scientology of Australia accepted four awards this week on behalf of the 200 Scientology Volunteer Ministers who helped the region recover from the 2004 Asian tsunami. The Mayor of the city of Banda Aceh, the Aceh Department of Religion, the Chairman of the State Senate of Aceh and the Governor of North Sumatra all recognized the Volunteer Ministers for their humanitarian work following the 2004 Asian tsunami.
The distinctive yellow tent of the Volunteer Ministers was not only a haven for those who suffered loss and trauma from the disaster, but also served as a central location where local officials, clerics and emergency relief personnel could learn how to provide “spiritual first aid” to those in need of help.
The Mayor’s award reads: “Banda Aceh recognizes the 200 Scientology volunteers who came from all over the world to help our people in the wake of the great Asian tsunami 2004.”
His sentiments are echoed by the Aceh Department of Religion: “Thank you all the Scientology volunteers for helping the Acehnese people after the Asian tsunami 2004. Your help changed the lives of our population.”
Thirty years ago, when he began the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program, L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, wrote: “a Volunteer Minister is a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.”
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