From their training in assist technology, families and community groups now have the tools they need to help the victims of the disaster.

With health officials concerned about the devastating effects of stress of the 6.2 magnitude quake that killed nearly 6,000 people and left an estimated 1.5 million homeless, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers have been asked to stay in Java through the reconstruction phase to continue to help local officials and community leaders cope with the needs of the survivors.

Over a month ago a corps of 20 trained Scientology Volunteer Ministers from Australia arrived in Yogyakarta. Remembering the work of the Scientology team in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, the Indonesia government registered them as official volunteers.

The volunteers immediately began working in hospitals that were coping with an estimated 36,000 people injured by the catastrophe. Conditions were stark, with patients being cared for in parking lots and parking structures. To assist the already overloaded hospital staff, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers helped with patient care and trained nurses and families in Scientology Assist technology from the Scientology Handbook, developed by L. Ron Hubbard, to provide more help to those in need.

They also made this technology available to villages throughout the region by meeting with local leaders, setting up workshops and training 4,000 people to deliver assists — people who can now help their friends, neighbors and those in outlying districts overcome trauma and get on with the task of rebuilding their lives.

More help is needed. If you would like to join the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Assist Team contact The Indonesian Disaster Relief Coordinator, Virginia Stewart at: virginias@scientology.net

The Volunteer Ministers are training people in techniques from the Scientology Handbook, developed by L. Ron Hubbard.