15 Sep 2021
Sr Ruth S. Yburan FDNSC, Regional Leader of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines, writes from Manila in gratitude for funding provided by the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to our OLSH Sisters in the Philippines, in support of their ongoing COVID-19 relief ministry. In regions where many families had already been living a hand-to-mouth existence, the pandemic has made simple survival a priority, and OLSH Sisters in the Philippines are working to provide even the most basic necessities to as many vulnerable communities as possible.
Some of the ways in which the OLSH Sisters have helped local communities thus far include:
- Running a community pantry in Surigao, where families are encouraged to take only what they need. In this way, more families can have access to the food they need and the OLSH Sisters can help as many people as possible.
- The distribution of rice to construction workers in Manila, where lockdowns have meant work has been stopped, and so has pay.
- A livelihood programme for families in Lapu Lapu. This programme caters especially to women whose husbands lost their jobs because of lockdowns, teaching them practical skills they need to earn money to contribute to their family living expenses.
- The provision of care packages to trisikad (Philippine pedicab) drivers in Cordova, who would have earned approximately 150 – 300 Philippine pesos (the equivalent of €2 – €5) per day prior to the pandemic.
- A six-day training course took place at the end of July for an indigenous Filipino group called the Badjao. Their training was free of charge, while MSC donations paid for their meals, which needed to be provided as they can no longer go fishing (which is also their main source of income). The skills taught included measuring, cutting, and machine work/sewing, providing those in attendance with useful practical skills that may bring in a much-needed wage. Those on the training course are leaders of their respective tribes, and were very grateful for the opportunity.
People from the indigenous Badjao group join a training group run by OLSH Sisters in Surigao, in order to learn practical skills that will help them to earn money now that they are unable to go fishing, an important source of food and income for their tribes.
People from the indigenous Badjao group join a training group run by OLSH Sisters in Surigao, in order to learn practical skills that will help them to earn money now that they are unable to go fishing, an important source of food and income for their tribes.
People from the indigenous Badjao group join a training group run by OLSH Sisters in Surigao, in order to learn practical skills that will help them to earn money now that they are unable to go fishing, an important source of food and income for their tribes.
“This pandemic has opened the minds and hearts of our people to work together as a community and help each other in whatever way we can.”
Dear Fr Michael and our generous donors,
In many different parts of our world and especially here in the Philippines, people are just in need of basic necessities as the end of this pandemic is nowhere near in sight. A lot of families we minister to have suffered much as their loved ones got so sick and even died.
Nevertheless, this pandemic has also opened the minds and hearts of our people to work together as a community and help each other in whatever way we can. Last April, May and even up to this time, community pantries are mushrooming and made a huge difference in the lives of our people suffering from COVID-19.
Your generous donation of €5,000 through Sr Jenny Christie and our sisters at the generalate, made a big impact in the lives of our poor people whose lives are becoming even more helpless with on-going lockdowns brought about by the detection of new COVID variants. Thank you very much, dear Fr Michael, and the generous donors who enabled you to help us reach out to those most in need. You are helping us reach more people whose daily lives can be made a bit easier with your generosity.
On behalf of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart here in the Philippines, I would like to thank you for enabling us to distribute assistance to more or less 150 families from Visayas and Mindanao, and here in Manila, who came alternately due to COVID restrictions. Your donations also helped our indigenous people with their meals during a six-day skills training offered by the non-government organizations.
Rest assured of our prayers that God will continue to bless you and protect you from all harm so that you can continue to help others in need.
Much gratitude,
Sr Ruth FDNSC
