This period of the pandemic has indeed completely changed the life of everyone, in a special way, the beneficiaries and their families!
Of primary concern was the loss of the source of income for the family. Despite this, some were really determined to survive! A couple related how they decided to sell fish. The husband would procure the fish early in the morning and the wife would go around the streets selling.
Another decided to involve the entire family including our beneficiary in selling food for breakfast!
Thus, there is the quarterly assistance of the basic necessities (rice, milk, vitamins among others).
But how could the goods reach the families with the limited movement and strict protocols to be observed?
SAAD was determined to carry out the distribution at all costs, aware of the many hungry mouths waiting to be fed. A providential help came through a direct supplier of rice and basic commodities who did the bulk of the distribution. It was an experience of going beyond obstacles and perseverance.
It came in an opportune moment when food was scarce to many. One could just imagine the overwhelming gratitude of the families who felt they were not abandoned, through the continuous support of Bukas Palad, even in these challenging times.
During the Online Formation meeting of the parents, some spoke of hope “that by holding on together, we can overcome this crisis”.
The school year 2020-2021 started last October 2020 with the combined system of online and module. Funds were solicited to provide the necessary electronic and internet tools to all the students for the online classes and regular formation and related activities of the program. SAAD made sure that all the beneficiaries are enrolled and for no reason should anyone stop from schooling especially due to the inability to procure the required electronic equipment.
Each beneficiary was asked to sign a document containing the Guidelines on the proper use of the electronic devices.
Prior to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by the parents, a series of online Orientations regarding the program of the Formation and Online procedure was conducted. Most parents are now little by little acquiring confidence in utilizing the electronic instruments as they follow closely the child in his online classes.
Our families were not spared of losses due to natural calamities like fire, floods, COVID or a lingering illness. Financial assistance to the bereaved family was extended.
A violent typhoon that brought heavy rain and wind, wiped out the homes of a community in the north of Manila, among them some families of our beneficiaries. Generous hearts (local and abroad) responded immediately to the basic needs of the evacuees sheltered in an open court of the social center.
In February, a big fire razed the homes of 80 families, and among them, four are our beneficiaries. Immediate help was extended and a fund-raising campaign was launched to help all these families. With the amount raised locally and surprisingly through the collaboration of a foreign youth group, each family was provided a portable two-burner gas stove, kitchen utensils, and foodstuffs.
Since it is not possible for the students and parents to go to Bukas Palad for the usual activities, one’s creativity is put to test by devising alternative programs from home. Such is in the case of the required community service to be rendered by the parents and college students.
This year a creative form of community service was formulated. The families are to send a photo(s) of an activity done at home, as a family via Messenger. Some examples would be together having a meal, praying or hearing Mass, or a mother assisting the child in his online classes ECC. Thus, fostering closer ties among family members. What are the consequences? Surely our Christmas update will be full of the fruits of this family interaction.
With the current situation, accompaniment of each child although vital, is a major challenge. Each staff is asked for strict observance of the protocols – social distance, home visits are still prohibited. Personal contact through cellphone made it possible to come up with an update on each beneficiary.
Bukas Palad conveys its immense gratitude for the faithfulness of the donors especially those who have accompanied the social center all these years!
