Coronavirus pandemic in the world where only devout missionaries travel

(Perù, Piura) – Salesians:  You see the worst face of poverty in those who live amid landfills. Many families live there, in the waste, or rather survive, collecting plastic and cardboard in the garbage. In these times of quarantine and Covid-19, they were the most forgotten, but not by the Salesians of Piura. In fact, Fr Angel Carbajal and Fr Pedro Da Silva went to them to take care of them.

Although American media is focused on the Coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.A., the facts are, the world is experiencing the devastating impact of this terrible infectious disease and most of the populations who are most at risk have virtually no protection against its rapid spread.  I am pleased to blog this article from Salesian Magazine. 

Salesians of Don Bosco

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, an enduring spirit of charity- published in Salesian Summer/Fall 2020

When no one else dared, Salesian priests, Fathers Angel Carbajal and Pedro Da Silva, ventured into the Castile landfill in Piura, Peru.  Bearing food parcels, health supplies, and their compassion, the two men tended to the forgotten children and families living among the tash heaps - despite the risks of COVID-19. Why?

"Because, it's what Don Bosco would have done," says Father Carbajal, simply.

That touching refrain has echoed around the world as the Salesian missionaries have vowed to help the poorest of the poor during this terrifying time of global pandemic.

Drawing on more than a century and a half's experience of living through wars, disasters, and other emergencies, these dedicated men and women know exactly what needs to be done- and, moreover, they have mobilized to address the most pressing needs.  

"Our missionaries truly are front-line workers in their own communities," said Father Gus Baek, the director for the Salesian Missions.  "In times of crisis, especially, they provide for essential goods and services to those who are suffering the most."

Because the hardships of mandatory confinement disproportionately impact those already struggling with poverty, unemployment, and social isolation, Salesian missionaries have focused significant efforts toward relieving those burdens including:

Emergency food relief:  Stay-at-home orders can mean having nothing to eat, so missionaries have organized food collection and distribution campaigns in hundreds of communities worldwide- and, they have even traveled great distances on foot in order to reach the most vulnerable.  

For example, in Yercaud, India, they carried bags of groceries to 100 elderly and physically disabled individuals and 200 families, scattered across 15 tribal and mountainous villages.  In the time since, and assisted by dozens of community volunteers, these missionaries have been expanding food assistance to meet burgeoning demand.

Clean Water: More than ever, vulnerable children and families desperately need clean water for their everyday survival.  Providing clean water has become critical to our missionaries' responses to the coronavirus pandemic.  Haiti is another example where missionaries have placed buckets of chlorinated water outside of every Salesian community, so the people can wash their hands.  And, in Ethiopia, they have repaired a tanker truck and are using it to haul water to thousands of people living in Addis Ababa's slums.

Hygiene supplies: In fact, the most marginalized people are often the ones least able to practice social distancing or proper hygiene.  That's why our missionaries are creating and distributing health ahd hygiene kits, which incudes soap, liquid hand wash, and fact masks, to migrant workers, day laborers, orphans, refugees and other highly vulnerable populations.  In Venezuela, for instance, Salesians at Red de Casa Don Bosco, in Caracas, offer these kits alongside the nearly 700 daily meals they serve to poor and abandoned children.

Education and prevention campaigns: Because so many people cannot afford or even obtain personal protective equipment (PPE), or hygiene supplies, the missionaries are also producing and disseminating crucial educational materials to help prevent the spread of COVID-10.

In the Brazil Amazon, for example, in the indigenous population, an area located far from any hospital and lacking in basic medicines, the Salesians created messaging in the Xavente language that explains the virus, how it spreads and hot to help protect against it.

And speaking of PPE... In their own uniquely Salesian way, the missionaries have launched a variety of innovative programs that simultaneously teach marginalized youth and adults about relevant, marketable skills, while addressing critical shortages for medical professional and other essential workers.  In one poignant example, formerly delinquent youth at the Magone Home Aftercare Program in Cubu City, in the Philippines, are manufacturing face shields for law enforcement officers with whom they once clashed.

"These projects truly represent a mere fraction of our missionaries ongoing efforts during the pandemic," says Father Gus.  "And, through it all, they remain dedicated to providing educational continuity for youth. Don Bosco himself would be proud."  Truly. As he once said, "What is the spirit that must animate our body? My beloved, it is charity." 

John Melchior Bosco (1815-1888), popularly known as Don Bosco, was an Italian Roman Catholic priest, educator, and writer of the 19th century.