Homeless Not Toothless is a non-profit charitable organization. Dr. Grossman and his team of volunteer dental providers have given away free dental care to homeless veterans and civilians alike as well as foster children for nearly three decades. Our Association members in Los Angeles, USA had honor of interviewing Dr. Jay Grossman. “I didn’t want to take care of today, I wanted to take care of tomorrow. So by giving them teeth and getting them out of pain and having them look good so they could interview for a job, and being able to eat and properly nourish themselves, they can now sustain themselves for a lifetime. That’s how Homeless Not Toothless got started.” Through this connection, Dr. Grossman’s Homeless Not Toothless expanded their free dental care services to foster children in the Los Angeles area. “The last 3 years, they've treated over 15,000 kids for free.”

Greta Thunberg, a 17-year old vegan, has inspired millions of young people across the globe to speak up and urge adults to act now before it’s too late to stop the climate crisis of our planet. In August 2018, at age 15, Greta decided the would go on strike from school, and spend her days sitting in front of Sweden’s parliament building to encourage the government to make halting global warming their top priority. Greta has spoken at some of these youth-led rallies to encourage large-scale, national-level climate policy change. “Solving the climate crisis is the greatest and most complex challenge that homo sapiens have ever faced. The main solution, however, is so simple that even a small child can understand it. We have to stop the emissions of greenhouse gases.” Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Joyfully present Greta Thunberg the Shining World Heroine Award with love, admiration, and best wishes for abundant success, in God’s grace.”

Pet Medical Crisis Fund (PMCF) is a unique charity located at Melbourne, Australia. Raising money to cover the veterinary costs so senior citizens and disadvantaged groups are able to afford otherwise unaffordable vital treatment for their treasured animal friends. PMCF founder, Ms. Jennifer Hunt, created it in 2010 after realizing how fortunate she was to be able to afford the surgery costs for her family’s beloved canine companion, Jed. In the past ten years, PMCF has distributed over $470,000 Australian dollars to pay veterinary care for 520 animal friends. PMCF sees as its mission to sustain the nourishing connection between animal companions and the people. Animal companions are particularly important for people of special needs. “We help all sorts of animals. Any type of pet that we can save and save the life of the pet and the heart of the owner is really important to us.” Supreme Master Ching Hai “thankfully present Jennifer Hunt the Shining World Compassion Award and contribute US$15,000 toward her noble fund with love and gratitude in God’s mercy.”

We are blessed to have benevolent, wise, and caring medical providers who dedicate their lives to healing, protecting, and educating people about the most healthy and compassionate way of living; the vegan path. One such individual is Dr. Armaiti May, a vegan veterinarian from Los Angeles, California, USA. An animal advocate, she is the founder and president of the Veterinary Association for the Protection of Animals (VAPA). Dr. May promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet for both humans and our animal companions. She also strives to change Veterinary education policies to ensure all animals are treated with the utmost respect and kindness. Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai gratefully contributed "US$21,000 to Dr. May's Foundation for her noble work and the Shining World Compassion Award with all love and high esteem. May God bless you abundantly. We love what you do." "I was so happy and ecstatic! Just amazed! And I am so so grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai for supporting my work."

In France, a country known for gourmet food, the Vegetarian Association of France (AVF) is making history by transforming a Parisian neighborhood into a lively vegan community, called "Veggietown," with vegan eateries, boutiques and other services. The team has a greater noble vision of compassionately restructuring the food industry of France into an Earth-friendly and healthy plant-based system. Working side by side with schools, politicians, lawmakers, enterprises and organizations, they strive to realize this dream. Envisioning the smooth transition of France and Europe towards a fully vegan society, the Vegetarian Association of France also provides assistance to other pro-vegan organizations and campaigns. Supreme Master Ching Hai "joyfully present the Vegetarian Association of France the Shining World Vegan Incentive Award plus US$10,000 with love to humbly support the "team work." May God grant you all peace, love, happiness and long life."

Let's continue Part 2 of the series by meeting Steve Greig, an accountant and animal advocate, from the United States. Seeing that senior canines have a much lower chance of being adopted into permanent families, this kind man decided to step in and offer a home to as many as he could manage. Supreme Master Ching Hai: "Joyfully present Steve Greig the Shining World Compassion Award, with all love, high praises and gratitude, in God's mercy and USD$10,000 for his loved animals' vegan treats." Odin, a Great Pyrenees dog, risked his life and was injured while protecting his herd of goats from the California wildfires. Supreme Master Ching Hai: "Tearfully present the Shining World Hero Award to Odin the Great Pyrenees, plus US$2,000 for vegan goodies, with a big hug and lots of kisses."

It is our pleasure to introduce some of the distinguished individuals, animal companions, and organizations who were honored with the Shining World Award by Supreme Master Ching Hai. An historic peace deal to jointly develop the Karamoja-Pokot-Tukana region along the nations’ border, has been witnessed by both His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, the president of Kenya, and Ugandan President, His Excellency, Yoweri Museveni. Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Joyously present Their Excellencies Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri Museveni each the Shining World Leadership Award for Peace with highest esteem, honoring salute and best wishes.” The non-profit-wildlife organization Bats QLD (Flying Foxes & Microbats) lnc, is enticing flying foxes in the area with “apple kebabs.” These adorable mammals are crucial in maintaining forest ecosystems by cross pollinating tall coastal forest trees. Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Thankfully present Bats QLD the Shining Word Caring Award plus US$15,000 as a loving token of support toward this good cause.” A system to safeguard birds from power lines at night has been developed by United States scientists. Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Joyfully present the Shining Would Invention Award to EDM international for this compassionate project, with much love, high praises and gratitude, in Heaven’s grace and blessings.”

Kevin Booth is a long-time resident of Sumner. He doesn’t live in a luxurious house, or even a modest apartment. Instead he has remained homeless, taking shelter in a tent in the woods, and picking up basic food supplies at the local Sumner Community Food Bank. On the morning of August 23, 2018, Kevin woke up early and headed off to the Food Bank. As Kevin approached the bread box, something else caught his eye, a brown paper bag laying outside the front door. He picked it up, opened it, and pulled out a $20 bill. He then realized the bag was full of cash. “I picked it up and turned it in to the lady that works there. She then turned it in to the Sumner Police Department who rewarded me with a reward and $500 in gift cards. And I also found out that it was $17,000 that I found, and they made me feel very very special to return it to the food bank even though I could have used it, they could have used it as well, for the community and myself and everyone else around for their new food bank.” Upon hearing the news of Kevin Booth’s pure hearted honesty, Supreme Master Ching Hai: “Cheerfully present Mr. Kevin Booth with the Shining World Honesty Award, plus US$10,000 with a big hug, love and praises. May Heavens watch over your soul.”

We are honored to speak to one of their board members, Ms. Debbie Mueller. “All of our shelters and agencies have been greatly supported from all over the United States and other countries. And we served a lot of animals and for most people, our animals are part of our family and it’s just another important life that needs to be saved.” Debbie has graciously shared with us what we should do for our animal friends to prepare animal friends to prepare for unprecedented situations. “You should have a go plan for yourself and your animal and a go bag. So a plan being, ‘OK, where am I going to go if there is a disaster? Whose home can I go to? Do I have friends or family elsewhere? Are my pets or animals welcome?’ If you have large animals, you need to look at, are there surrounding stables or ranch land where you could take your animals?” We would like to give you the Shining World Compassion Award from Supreme Master Ching Hai for North Valley Animal Disaster Group in recognition of courageous selfless advocacy for voiceless animals, protecting, defending, and sheltering during adversity. With compliments and gratitude for your compassionate and benevolent commitment to save precious animal live.

Starting from Butte County in November 2018, the wildfire rapidly spread into an area of 240 square miles in a few hours. North Valley Animal Disaster Group, a volunteer-based NGO, immediately sprang into action to assist animals displaced by the fire. “During the Camp Fire, we served over 10,000 animals here in Butte County.” Founded in 2002, the North Valley Animal Disaster Group (NVADG) work with public and private agencies to evacuate and shelter animal friends in emergency situations. They also educate communities in ways to protect animal companions during emergencies. Its members have demonstrated tremendous love in times of crisis. Despite all the losses and hardships, members of the organization managed to supply the shelters with food and much needed supplies for all the rescued animals. You are a marvelous example of courage and love, North Valley Animal Disaster Group! May the legend of your quick actions and selfless kindness spread far and wide to encourage more acts of compassion around the world.

“Dogs are my best friends, and this is my way of changing this world just a little bit different, by trying to fight alongside the brave activists and volunteers, and all the children, and it’d be an inspiration for the children, to end the dog meat trade. And we will continue to fight till it’s over.” Not only that, his love is extended to all species and he calls on everybody to adopt a compassionate, eco-friendly diet. “For rescuing dogs and cats in peril, for your vision, wisdom, creativity and kind-hearted benevolence, and for being a dedicated and noble role model, we hereby applaud and celebrate the compassionate deeds of ‘No Dogs Left Behind’ with special thanks to Founder, Jeffrey Beri.” In December 2018, Master awarded the organization with the “Shining World Compassion Award” in recognition of their selfless and courageous work to promote benevolence.

No Dogs Left Behind (NDLB) is an international emergency rescue organization on a mission to end the dog meat trade in Asia. Jeffrey Beri, a vegan, is the founder of No Dogs Left Behind. Although he loved his career, he decided to follow the true calling of his heart and devoted his life to rescuing the helpless dog friends in Asia, healing their physical and mental pains, and finding them loving new homes. “I got involved with dog rescue when, like many of us, hear the atrocities that take place within the dog meat trade. And we all saw these videos, and I’m an animal lover. I’m also a vegan. So I decided to pack my bags and hang my suit. And travel to China, and work with amazing people, and formulate a foundation called No Dogs Left Behind.” Since the beginning of their presence in China in 2016, members of No Dogs Left Behind have participated many times in stray dog rescue and recovery.

Today’s “Shining World Awards” program features The Reverend Dr. Uta Elisabeth Düll from Germany, who has whole-heartedly dedicated over 24 years of her life to care for patients in Rwanda, many of whom require special care and treatment. “My name is Uta Elisabeth Düll. To work in a country in need, was always the aim of my life. Our aim is to be better. Our aim is to get our service more perfect, to make our service more helpful, to be close to the people. That is our aim, not to increase in numbers but to increase in quality, medically but as well as humanly.” Supreme Master Ching Hai “gratefully present the Shining World Compassion Award to The Reverend Dr. Uta Elisabeth Düll, plus US $25,000 for her noble work that helps ease people’s pain. May your life be lengthened and full of joy, in God’s love.” Dr. Düll will be in for more surprise, as Supreme Master Ching Hai is sending another US $50,000 to lovingly support furthering her noble mission in God’s mercy.

The Rabbit Haven, founded in 1987, is a shelter devoted to the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of injured and abandoned bunnies with the goal of finding loving forever homes for them. The story of how the Rabbit Haven began is a story of love, the love of a bunny named Bernstein who entered the life of Heather Bechtel, the eventual founder of the shelter. In the past few decades, people at the Rabbit Haven have saved thousands of rabbits and transformed their lives. They did so through rescuing, caring as well as fostering. In 2018, Supreme Master Television had the honor to feature Ms. Heather and the Rabbit Haven in the Good People, Good Works series. After seeing the program, our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously conferred the Shining World Compassion Award to the Rabbit Haven’s founder, Heather Bechtel and her team, plus US$15,000.

Today, Iet’s travel to Kathmandu, Nepal, to meet a saintly social worker, Mr. Ram Bahadur Neupane. Gentle and kind, he has dedicated nearly a decade of his life to rescue distressed and neglected cows wandering the streets of Nepal. Apart from providing them with food, medical care, and love, he has created a safe haven to shelter them for life. Our Beloved Supreme Master Ching Hai, upon learning of Mr. Neupane’s noble efforts, gratefully offered: “US$30,000 and the Shining World Compassion Award.” “I believe the Earth is a common home for everyone. Everyone should be allowed to live. We want to provide shelter and protection for everyone, from the elderly fathers, mothers, mentally challenged people, from our brothers and sisters living in the streets, to street dogs and to all the beings. This is our broader vision.”

We're privileged to introduce several distinguished individuals, animal companions, and organizations who were honored with the Shining World Award by Supreme Master Ching Hai after She returned from Her intensive retreat in September 2019. "Warmly present the Shining World Leadership Award for Protection to India's Northeast Frontier Railway, with high salute, praises and loving gratitude. May the Heavens bless you and the majestic elephants forevermore." The President of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was honored with the Shining World Leadership Award for Good Governance for providing debt relief to vulnerable citizens. "Joyfully present the Shining World Invention Award to Hoola One Technologies, plus US$10,000 toward this environment-protecting project. May Heavens shine on you with more innovative success to benefit our world." Last, but not the least, is Ms. Ori Shavit from Tel Aviv, an extraordinary individual honored by Supreme Master Ching Hai for pioneering the vegan movement in Israel.

Everywhere in the world, we can observe and be touched by acts of kindness. People from all walks of life, faiths, and cultures extend themselves beyond the call of duty to help others unconditionally. Through their noble deeds, humanity as a whole is elevated. To commend virtuous actions and encourage more people to be inspired by their examples, Supreme Master Ching Hai has lovingly created a series of awards, including the Shining World Leadership Award, Shining World Compassion Award, Shining World Hero Awards, Shining World Inventor Award, etc., to recognize some of the most exemplary, generous, caring, and courageous people who walk amongst us. Let’s start by meeting a special therapy dog named Maggie. With astounding love and patience as her superpower, she became registered as a therapy dog to help those in need.

Hi, my name is Iñaki and I work as a scuba diving instructor in Byron Bay, Australia. Now in winter, we are diving with a grey nurse shark. It was a beautiful day in Byron Bay, until we went underwater and saw this. A 2-meter Grey Nurse Shark with a long piece of netting rope stuck between its jaws. A slow, painful death awaited this shark, if not removed. I knew I had to help the shark. I was radiant to be able to get such a deadly net off its jaws. Seconds later the shark returned with a buddy, and looked me in the eyes, as if to say thank you! Well, I havebeen vegetarian for the last ten years. Since then, my life is very healthy, always clear mind. And I even feel that animals have a different interaction with myself.

In July 2016, the wise government of Morocco implemented operation “Zero Mika” to eliminate single-use plastic bags. “Mika” is the Arabic word for plastic. This operation has opened a door for new eco-friendly materials to be developed and introduced to the market, steering people towards new choices that are good for our planet. A Moroccan student, Saif Eddine Laalej, invented an eco-friendly paving building material called Paveco that became a finalist of the ENCGT’s Enactus Social Cup competition. In recognition of his brilliant eco-innovation, Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously presented the Shining World Invention Award to Saif Eddine Laalej.

Today’s show, will feature heroes from the animal kingdom and the outstanding government leadership of our world. In India, a canine friend named Ruby was honored with the Shining World Hero Award for rescuing and adopting an orphaned monkey. In Pakistan, the Prime Minister, His Excellency Imran Khan, was honored with the Shining World Leadership Award for Good Governance. Pakistan currently hosts approximately 2.4 million Afghan refugees of which 1.4 million are documented. His Excellency Imran Khan has promised to grant legal citizenship to children of Afghan refugees born in Pakistan. We thank you, for your compassionate acts towards your Afghan brothers and sisters. May our world soon be transformed into paradise by the loving energy of all people and animal friends.