Fr VA Michael (far right) with the Indonesian migrants.
By Bernard Anthony
Jul 19 2021
SELANGOR – The country is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not getting any better. With the prolonged lockdown, many Malaysians are struggling to make ends meet. Those in the B40 are the most affected, particularly those earning daily wages. With many businesses temporarily, and some permanently, closed due to the lockdown, many have lost their livelihoods.
The Kuala Selangor district is home to many in the B40 category. Hence, Fr VA Michael initiated a food aid drive with financial contributions from his friends and well-wishers from the Klang Valley and overseas.
Fr VA, parish priest of the Church of St Paul the Hermit, said he and the Parish Integral Human Development (PIHD) Ministry have earmarked 120 families, which are facing hardship during these uncertain times, for the distribution of the food rations.
Apart from the local community, 76 Indonesian migrant families are also recipients of aid from the local Church.
Most of the recipients are either currently unemployed or are in difficulty due to the lockdown. Most are from the estates or poor families around the parish territorial limits.
During the weekend of July 12-13, twenty local families received food rations consisting of a 10kg rice bag and a food-bag containing essential food items. The items were delivered to the families at their homes.
For the remaining 100 families, Fr VA and one or two of his lay leaders distributed the food between July 14 -16 to the recipients in nearby towns, while adhering to the KKM’s SOPs.
Fr VA said that in this time of need, Christians must play their part and put faith into action to show the love of Christ by giving support and reaching out to the disadvantaged groups which really need help.
He also expressed his gratitude to all the donors from the different religious backgrounds and prayed that God would bless them abundantly for their generosity. – Herald Malaysia
