| The Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a community | | | | into a logistical nightmare. So the Scientology |
| service organization active in times of emergency | | | | Volunteer Ministers cleaned the place up so center |
| and natural disasters, went into immediate action | | | | staff could concentrate on their vital duties. |
| last January when a 6.1 magnitude earthquake | | | | A team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers went |
| killed at least 34. With reports of more than 1,200 | | | | from house to house to help people evacuate or |
| people trapped in the hardest hit zone, 19 | | | | put order into their homes. They made sure |
| volunteers from the two Costa Rica Scientology | | | | those who were injured got the care they |
| Missions set out for the city of Alajuela to help. | | | | needed, and provided Scientology |
| Downtown Alajuela was the staging area, where | | | | assists–simple procedures developed by L. |
| those who were evacuated or left homeless by | | | | Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion, |
| the quake were brought for emergency care and | | | | that help people overcome the emotional and |
| shelter. The Scientology volunteers pitched in | | | | spiritual side of trauma so they can recover fully |
| alongside other humanitarian programs such as | | | | from injury, stress or shock. |
| the Red Cross and Boy Scouts to help the police | | | | |
| and the National Commission of Emergencies | | | | Brought together by a sense of urgency, duty |
| erect tents for temporary housing. They helped | | | | and a desire to help others, the volunteers |
| staff relief centers and distributed food, clothing | | | | decided to carry on their work after the natural |
| and water to the quake victims. | | | | disaster was over. They have established a |
| The earthquake had sent furniture and files | | | | permanent Scientology Volunteer Ministers Team |
| sprawling throughout the medical center, turning | | | | to continue to bring help on a grassroots level to |
| the already daunting task of helping the injured | | | | the people of the region. |