Scientology Volunteer Ministers News

CLEARWATER, Fla., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 31, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — It had been more than a century since Florida’s Pinellas County sustained a direct hit from a hurricane, but that changed on September 26, when Hurricane Helene tore through the area. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton slammed through the county. Scientology Volunteer Ministers responded to help their community cope and recover from the impact of these unprecedented storms.

JESENÍK, Czech Republic, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 2, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Storm Boris rampaged through Eastern Europe beginning 13 September, leaving unprecedented disaster in its wake. With 500 mm (20 inches) of rain in the Czech Republic’s Northern Moravia region, it surpassed previous flood records. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala described the disaster as a “once-in-a-century flood.” Rivers overflowed their banks, submerging entire villages.

FORLI, Italy, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 4, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — On the anniversary of the May 2023 Emilia-Romagna floods, Forlì Mayor Gian Luca Zattini held an event to express his city’s gratitude to the many volunteers who responded to help the region recover from the unprecedented disaster. Proud of their contribution, the Volunteer Ministers of the Scientology Churches of Italy were among those honored by the mayor and officials of several cities in the province of Forlì-Cesena.

RIO GRANDE DO SUL, Brazil, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., May 23, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Nearly a month since torrential rains triggered flooding, submerging much of the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, Scientology Volunteer Ministers continue to help disaster response agencies cope with the unprecedented destruction. While media are reporting 150 people have perished from the flood, those on the ground report the casualty rate is far higher.

MILAN, Italy, March 19, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A World Civil Defense Day seminar for first responders at the Church of Scientology of Milano shared unique and simple technology for helping relieve the emotional and spiritual trauma that can affect disaster victims long after the incident is over. Studies show that not knowing how to help victims deal with these needs can take a toll on emergency response personnel: Their concerns over their ability to help can be a factor in burnout.

ATHENS, Greece, March 19, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In September 2023, Julia, a Scientology Volunteer Minister from Athens, reached out offering help to her friend Mariza in Volos, Greece. The city, some 200 miles away, was all but destroyed by Storm Daniel. Julia assembled a team and traveled some 200 miles to the coastal port city.

VIENNA, Austria, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 14, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Civil Defense Day is marked every year on March 1st. It is a time to share information that can help shield individuals and property from natural disasters, accidents, and other crises. Trained in technology developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have helped countless victims recover from the emotional and spiritual stress and trauma of disaster.

MIAMI, Fla., and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 12, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — America’s emergency response personnel are heroes. They are dedicated to saving property and lives. But there is another factor in disaster relief: the ongoing spiritual and emotional consequences of disasters to both first responders and victims. Scientology Volunteer Ministers reached out at Disasters Expo USA 2024 in Miami March 6 and 7 to share simple techniques anyone may learn to help with this “human factor” that is so crucial to the quality of life.

MIDRAND, South Africa, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 24, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Through a series of seminars at Castle Kyalami in Midrand, South Africa, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are empowering employees of the Gauteng Department of Health. These healthcare workers, in their bright green uniforms, have become known as the province’s “Green Angels,” because they, along with staff of affiliated chaplaincy and faith-based organizations who also attended the training, put their lives on the line to help others.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 22, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — It was just under a year ago on February 6, that a 7.8-magnitude earthquake slashed through southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the earthquake displaced or disrupted the lives of 15.73 million people in Syria and Turkey including 2.5 million children. Scientology Volunteer Minister disaster response specialists from Tel Aviv mobilized immediately and were soon joined by VMs from Pakistan, India and the United States.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 20, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — On the bright South African New Year’s Day in 2019, when Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige dedicated the Scientology Advanced Organization and continental headquarters for Africa at Castle Kyalami, “COVID” was an obscure term known only to scientists and public health workers. But it soon entered the world’s vocabulary when the first cases of the virus appeared. COVID-19 arrived in South Africa in March 2020 and the country went into lockdown.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 6, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — It was as though the town had been singled out by the ancient Greek Fates. No sooner had they recovered from a devastating flood that all but destroyed the city when the flood waters rose again and inundated the region. Learning the city was without power or clean water after Storm Daniel, the worst storm to hit the region in at least 80 years, Scientology Volunteers Ministers loaded a truck with drinking water, and navigating damaged roads, arrived in the town some 200 miles away with supplies, drinking water and a team of disaster-trained volunteers.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 22, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The UN’s theme for this year’s World Volunteer Day was ‘the power of collective action.’ And nowhere was that message exemplified more than the collective action of Scientology Volunteer Ministers everywhere in their response to the pandemic.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 16, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The holidays should be a time of joy. But challenges, problems and disappointments can cast a pall on the season. The Church of Scientology encourages anyone facing issues that threaten their happiness to take heart. Because, no matter the challenges, Something Can Be Done About It.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Nov. 21, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Disasters, whether great or small, do not comply with the calendar. And whether the scope of the difficulty affects a single family, or hundreds of thousands or more, Scientology Volunteer Ministers live by the motto that no matter the difficulty, “Something Can Be Done About It.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and CAMPI BISENZIO, Italy, Nov. 16, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Responding to a call from the civil protection department in early November, Scientology Volunteer Ministers reached out to the municipality of Campi Bisenzio with help. The Bisenzio River, for which the town is named, had overflowed, wreaking havoc.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 13, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Voices for Humanity on the Scientology Network documents the work of Scientology Volunteer Minister Daniel Okello whose grassroots program is creating a brighter future where before there was only despair.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Sept. 5, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” said South African President Nelson Mandela. And for the 1,300 new graduates of the Scientology Tools for Life Courses attending a recent graduation at Castle Kyalami in Midrand, South Africa, Madiba’s message has taken on new meaning.

ANTAKYA, Turkey and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 8, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A team of Scientologists who are disaster response specialists from Pakistan has now joined volunteers from the Scientology Center of Tel Aviv and other emergency response-trained responders who are providing relief in Turkey. As aid pours into Turkey, the Scientology volunteers are primarily focused on seeing that supplies get into the hands of those most in need.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa and LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 1, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Growing up in Mitchel Plain wasn’t easy, according to Luce-Lynn Fondling, a life skills coach and Scientology Volunteer Minister who works with community leaders, educators and both bullies and victims in schools. Drug dealers dominate her neighborhood. “There is violence everywhere,” she says.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Jan. 4, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Hundreds of committed changemakers see this new year as a turning point for South Africa. Empowered through community and economic development workshops at Castle Kyalami, Scientology headquarters in the country, they know that as they return to their communities and implement what they have learned, the impact will continue to swell, as those they empower reach out to others with the Scientology Tools for Life.

KARACHI, Pakistan and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Nov. 30, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a country as prone to cataclysm and disaster as Pakistan, some might say there is not much you can count on except bad news. But Perwaiz Hasan and the Scientology Assist Team are the exception to that rule.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla., Nov. 8, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Volunteer Ministers continue their disaster response in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian where recovery is far from over for many affected by the storm. The devastation they encounter is still so overwhelming that one of the volunteers describes how they have to go about helping those in areas hardest hit by the storm.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 13, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Volunteer Ministers continue their response in Southwest Florida to help those still struggling to recover from the worst storm to hit the area since 1935. When Hurricane Ian rampaged through Southwest Florida with 155 mph winds, it left devastation in its wake, killing at least 102 and creating economic havoc.

SENIGALLIA, Italy, Sept. 29, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Tragedy struck the commune of Senigallia, and local Scientologists responded immediately to help the community recover from the worst floods ever to hit the town. Ever since the eastern coast of Italy was devastated by a flash flood September 16, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been hard at work providing help.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and WANGA PARISH, Uganda, Sept. 21, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Tools for Life are transforming communities in the hands of a dedicated team of local leaders and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers of Wanga Parish, Uganda. The Volunteer Ministers raised funds to establish a medical clinic with a Volunteer Minister-trained nurse.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and HYDERABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 15, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In response to unprecedented flooding in Pakistan, described by the UN as a climate catastrophe, Scientology volunteers continue providing urgently needed supplies and health care in their outreach to affected communities.

NEW YORK, N.Y. and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Sept. 12, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Out of the smoke and dust that engulfed lower Manhattan 21 years ago rose a humanitarian movement known for its ardent commitment to help: the Scientology Volunteer Ministers-a religious social service of the Church of Scientology.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and KARACHI, Pakistan, Sept. 7, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Responding to catastrophic floods that have left a third of the country submerged, a team of Scientology volunteers including doctors and other medical personnel are providing relief.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and LEWIS YARD, Grand Bahama Island, Aug. 25, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Volunteer Ministers from Scientology Churches in Florida returned to The Bahamas as promised to provide training to help local communities become self-sufficient in times of disaster. The Volunteer Ministers provided a series of seminars in Lewis Yard, a community in West End Grand Bahama that was devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and MIDRAND, South Africa, Aug. 17, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — For World Humanitarian Day, celebrated annually on August 19, the Church of Scientology honors the Volunteer Ministers of South Africa. Volunteer Ministers contributed more than a million hours assisting the government and private sector to care for the most vulnerable.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and MIDRAND, South Africa, Jul 20, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — On Mandela Day and throughout the year, the bright yellow jacket of the Scientology Volunteer Minister has become a symbol of service and the ability to make a difference. This year, Mandela Day marked a milestone for the Scientology Volunteer Ministers of South Africa.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 14, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — As the UN launches its Youth Skills Day campaign for 2022 with its motto “transforming youth skills for the future,” Scientology Volunteer Ministers are providing educators throughout South Africa with the tools to accomplish this goal.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 6, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Seven years ago this month, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal. A Scientology Volunteer Minister led rescue workers, Scouts and volunteers who arrived from across the world on a mission to save lives. Sharma acted as interpreter for Los Topos, the famous Mexican search and rescue team.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., March 29, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — At an open house at the Church of Scientology Amsterdam earlier this month, held in commemoration of World Civil Defense Day, Volunteer Minister Jan-Maarten Kruijt introduced those attending to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program. He shared how he and a Christian priest worked together to help Uganda communities overcome challenges and increase sustainability.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 23, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A family and their friends decided to make Wanga Parish in Eastern Uganda a self-sustaining community with people empowered through Scientology online courses. “It all started when my Aunt Milly gave me a phone call in August last year,” says Arthur Wamatsu. She introduced him to the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program and its 19 online courses.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Feb. 8, 2022 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Ecuador are working with rescue workers and cleanup crews to help the city recover. The worst downpour in nearly two decades unleashed a landslide on Quito’s La Gasca and La Comuna neighborhoods January 31 to February 1.

MAYFIELD, Ky., Dec. 28, 2021 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Volunteer Ministers came from across the country to help a town destroyed by the 10 December tornado celebrate the holiday. Santa, who drove to Mayfield from the Church of Scientology of Nashville, was not prepared for the kind of reactions he got.

MAYFIELD, Ky., Dec. 20, 2021 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Volunteer Ministers headquarters in Los Angeles encourages trained Volunteer Ministers to respond to one of the most devastating U.S. tornado outbreaks on record. Entire towns were all but wiped off the map leaving thousands homeless.

NEW YORK, N.Y., Sept. 11, 2021 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The sheer scope and inhumanity of the World Trade Center attack united Scientologists around the world to do everything in their power to create a better world, beginning that very day with New York Scientologists in their signature bright yellow Volunteer Ministers T-shirts immediately heading downtown.