Volcano Taal or Mindanao earthquake victims helped
by many Salesian Family members
Batangas, and Canlubang, the Philippines, 13 February 2020 -- During the Corona Virus (Covid-19) epidemic times we have almost forgetten about any other natural or man-made disasters around the world or even within our Region. We get rising numbers of the Covid-19 victims (1500+) and affected people (70.000+) from the media every day, but we may not realise that every day some 25,000 people die as victims of hunger, lack of food!!
Although at the moment the Taal Volcano in Batangas province (Philippines) is rather low profile and there are no major earthquakes, many people still suffer the life of internally displaced persons (IDP) due to these natural calamities. Precisely in this situation the Filipino natural spirit of solidarity and faith in action moves forward. We are glad to share one story from the FIN and one from the FIS province - Batangas and Canlubang are very from Mindanao, but in both places the Salesians and their lay mission partners are generously assisting with simple but effective help thousands of people.
FIN Province - MAYAPA PARISH
At present the Mayapa SDB community (Rector Fr. Cerada and 3 Salesian priests - Fr. Raffy, Fr. Sonny and Fr. Ben) are trying their best: "Our Social Action Ministry are still very busy for “relief operations” since many Taal volcano victims are coming back to our vicinity (living with their relatives) since they don’t have electricity and water in their areas. We are glad that our confreres helped us in relief operations. I also asked the help of our Bishop and the Social Action ministry of the Laguna diocese of San Pablo. Right now we (= both the social action of the parish and the diocese) are planning to rehabilitate our 3 affected Barrios especially regarding the livelihood.
We are finalizing the working paper for our Parish Pastoral Planning (SEPP) based on the results of Youth Congress last October: Renewed Salesian Youth ministry. Please, pray for our huge parish! We are not less than 33 Barangays from Laguna to foot of Tagaytay (=heights near the Taal volcano) "
FIS Province - MISSIONARY ANIMATION IN MINDANAO OUTREACH (SALVO Volunteers)
"We are very grateful to all the generous people who shared their blessings to our brothers and sisters in Mindanao who are affected by the series of earthquake last year. A total of Php 68,500.00 cash donations were gathered from different organizations and donors. It was allocated for the house materials, for the feeding and dental care as well for purchase of hollow blocks. One hundred nineteen (119) families in Little Bliss Evacuation Center were the beneficiaries last December 29, 2019 in Malasila, North Cotabato, 15 to 20 minutes away from Kidapawan. Each child was given a lunch box, spoon & fork, toothbrush & toothpaste, a pair of slippers, and a tumbler. Mothers and Elderlies were given vitamins, blankets, and towels. The volunteers also served a sumptuous lunch for the evacuees. Our deepest thanks to the Parishioners of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Don Bosco FIS-Provincial House, Don Bosco-Victorias, Philippine Dental Association, The BCBP group, and Medical Doctors who donated. Special thanks to, Ma’am Idz Marie's friends and family members for their help."
We are inspired and we are proud of this small gesture of human and Christian solidarity in difficult times and we pray, that more Salesian Family members would be inspired and continue to reach out to the people in need.
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