23 Jan 2020
A recent letter from Fr Richie Gomez, community leader at the MSC Centre of the Poor in the Philippines, expresses great joy and gratitude to mission friends in the Irish Province for the generosity and enthusiasm received following our 2019 Summer Appeal, which raised funds that have allowed the Centre to continue its wonderful work in the local community and beyond.
Fr Richie sent us an update highlighting the Centre’s most recent projects, which include:
- Spearheading a relief operation for survivors of a recent earthquake in the southern Mindanao region. Together with local volunteers, the MSC community from the Centre provided victims of the earthquake with 150 sacks of rice, 220 containers of water, 250 food packs containing dried fish, milk, sugar, juices, coffee, Milo (a nutritious tonic drink), soap for personal hygiene, laundry detergent, a blanket, and a mosquito net. The relief campaign took place in mid-November 2019, following three days of urgent preparation. A 10-wheeler truck and an Elf truck full of supplies accompanied MSCs and volunteers in two large vehicles on an 11-hour journey from Butuan to Makilala town in Cotabato, at the boundary of Kidapawan. Here, MSCs and volunteers distributed their aid packs to almost a dozen different local communities.
Emergency earthquake aid provided to survivors by the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, with the help of donations from mission friends in the Irish Province of the MSC. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
Emergency earthquake aid provided to survivors by the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, with the help of donations from mission friends in the Irish Province of the MSC. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
Emergency earthquake aid provided to survivors by the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, with the help of donations from mission friends in the Irish Province of the MSC. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
- A scholarship for disadvantaged youths, which is currently giving 20 students the opportunity to further their education and opportunities. Many of these students from the Lumad community (a local indigenous group) live in a boarding house near the university in Butuan City, while other students are staying in their own homes where possible, or with relatives. During their spare time, they contribute to the daily work in the Centre for the Poor, and each Sunday, they attend development workshops at the Centre, which focus on elements such as life skills, Bible studies, group dynamics and social skills, and environmental awareness. The beginning of the last academic year saw an influx of applicants for the programme; however, funds remain limited, and the MSC community at the Centre for the Poor continue to help as many youths as they can.
- An Honesty Store, operating as part of the Centre’s sustainability programmes. With a focus on green economics, the Honesty Store deals in organic Lumad products provided by different local tribes. This support small scale business locally, while also promoting livelihood programmes and employment opportunities to alleviate poverty in the region.
The Honesty Store at the MSC Centre for the Poor, who recently wrote to express their gratitude for the funds raised by our mission friends in the MSC Irish Province in Summer 2019. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The Honesty Store at the MSC Centre for the Poor, who recently wrote to express their gratitude for the funds raised by our mission friends in the MSC Irish Province in Summer 2019. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The Honesty Store at the MSC Centre for the Poor, who recently wrote to express their gratitude for the funds raised by our mission friends in the MSC Irish Province in Summer 2019. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
- The on-going renovation of the Centre, with a view to harnessing renewable sources of energy (including solar energy, wind energy, and bio-fuel), can now be completed thanks to the funds raised by our 2019 Summer Appeal.
- Funds donated by the Irish Province will also allow the MSC community at the Centre to fulfil their plans for a Living Museum across a 4.7-hectare area, which will allow for reforestation in a region where natural resources have been plundered mercilessly for mining, logging, and plantations including palm oil.
“When I was sent here to establish the Centre for the Poor, my congregation and I were full of faith and confidence,” writes Fr Richie. “What makes that faith and confidence complete is the trust of those who also believe in our mission, and advocate our work. There is much to do, and it can be overwhelming, but everything is up to Him. ‘I am just a lowly servant of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word.’”
Emergency earthquake aid provided to survivors by the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, with the help of donations from mission friends in the Irish Province of the MSC. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
Emergency earthquake aid provided to survivors by the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, with the help of donations from mission friends in the Irish Province of the MSC. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
Emergency earthquake aid provided to survivors by the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, with the help of donations from mission friends in the Irish Province of the MSC. (Images via @CenterFTPoorMSC and @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
“Thank you very much to the people of the Irish Province, whose hearts extend to people they may never know, and remain full of compassion for others.”
Images via the MSC Centre for the Poor and the MSC Mission Office Philippines, Inc. on Facebook