The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Asian Goodwill Tour announced their arrival in the Philippines this week with a press conference featuring recording artist, composer, lyricist and performer David Pomeranz.
The tour will be working in coordination with government, civic and community leaders to tackle illiteracy and drug abuse in the country.
At the press conference, Pomeranz pointed out that problems such as broken marriages, conflicts, suppression, child abuse, illiteracy, poverty and traumatic experiences can trigger drug dependency. With the release in the Philippines of a series of 19 booklets based on the Scientology Handbook, the Volunteer Ministers offer practical techniques that give the individual tools to help with these kinds of problems.
Pomeranz, who is known for the hundreds of hit songs he has written, including "Got to Believe in Magic" and "King and Queen of Hearts," said "The world needs help. So do individuals. And that's why I'm very happy to be able to present this tour today, because I know that Volunteer Ministers can help the people of this great country."
Among those attending were officials and representatives from the President's Dangerous Drug Board, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the University of the Philippines Diliman. Following the press conference, the ribbon-cutting ceremony signaled the opening of the tour in the country.
Manila is one of 71 major cities Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tours are visiting. Recognized by their yellow shirts and their motto, "Something Can Be Done About It," Volunteer Ministers set up traveling exhibitions around the world, providing practical help to communities and individuals.
L. Ron Hubbard, humanitarian and founder of the Scientology religion described the the program in these terms: "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."
For over 30 years, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers corps, which counts more than 100,000 members in its ranks, has provided assistance at major disaster sites, including the World Trade Center terrorist attack and the Indian Ocean tsunami. Volunteer Ministers help with everything from soothing emotional pain to rebuilding devastated cities. This year, Volunteer Ministers helped over 2,600 people after Typhoon Durian hit Albay Province in the Philippines.
The exhibition will be on the University of the Philippines Diliman campus until July 15th from 9:00am to 5:30pm each day and is open to anyone. For more information on the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program or to arrange for an exhibition in your area contact the Volunteer Ministers Consultant or call 1-800-HELP-4-YU.
Ms. Wieland lives in Los Angeles and is an editor of the Scientology Press Office.