AMERICA / CHILE – “Schools closed, but the mission continues even amidst difficulties”: the commitment of the Salesians in times of pandemic
Santiago (Agenzia Fides) – “Covid-19 does not stop its race in Chile and in recent months the situation has significantly worsened: although 40% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, the infection is still very high and hospitals have problems. Universities, schools, parishes and Salesian sanctuaries have been forced to close their doors, and to resort to the digital space. However, we have not stopped working face to face with those most in need”. To is what Fr. Victor Mora, a Salesian missionary and president of the Don Bosco Foundation said in an interview with Agenzia Fides, speaking of the difficult condition that the South American country is going through due to a new wave of the coronavirus.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Health in Chile, since the beginning of April, more than 9,000 new cases of contagion have been registered every day. With these new infections, the total number of sick people rises to more than one million since the beginning of the pandemic, in an emergency that shows no improvement although the vaccination campaign has reached more than 7.2 million immunized people.
“Although the health outlook is worrying – says Fr. Victor – our foundation has made an effort to continue its mission of helping, accompanying and evangelizing children, youth and adults living on the street. Together with the Food Network Organization, a logistics team and a group of volunteers, various strategies have been put in place to find food and meet the different needs. In the family home and in the Patio Punitaqui oratory in Santiago – continues the president of the foundation – a whole work of containment has been carried out and, consequently, of change in the activities of the children. Psychological care and occupational therapy programs have been provided. We have also continued the work of educational accompaniment, so that minors continue with their learning and school activities”.
A census of the situation of each family group was also carried out, so as to create a personalized assistance plan: “Specifically – the religious informs – the program consists in the delivery of canned food and cleaning materials to the most vulnerable families, included in programs aimed at street children, in outpatient programs and in those for minors with parents deprived of their liberty or with families below the poverty line. In the Valparaiso Day Center, a device has been installed in which food is delivered, and a hygiene and protection kit for street people. In the delicate moment we are going through – concludes Fr. Victor – it is important not to close ourselves in despair and worry, but we must be ready to rebuild fraternal relationships in solidarity, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ invites us to do”. (ES) (Agenzia Fides, 22/4/2021)
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Publish date : 2021-04-22 03:00:00
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