COVID-19

What are you to do when your income relies on tourism and tourists are suddenly not allowed within your region? This is the dilemma people in at least one Asian tourist town have faced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The people there depend almost entirely on tourism for their livelihoods, running tea shops or offering lodging or transportation to guests of their community. With no visitors allowed, the residents were left for many months without an avenue to provide for their families.

Fortunately, there is also a GFA World Child Sponsorship Program near this community, and the program became a source of critical relief for people in need during this crisis. Though authorities had imposed strict rules regarding anyone entering the district, GFA World program staff obtained permission to enter the town for the sake of a food distribution.

As a result, 101 families received critically needed food kits containing rice, chickpeas, beans, oil, salt and sugar, as well as a box of matches. The recipients were extremely grateful for the timely aid, which filled them with joy and relief. GFA pastor Petros also encouraged recipients, offering them hope from God’s Word and reiterating safety guidelines for people to protect themselves from the virus.

Aleric, who is part of the child sponsorship program, is a regular beneficiary of GFA World efforts in his community and knew of the workers’ care and concern.

“Every time I and my family were in need, the [program] has always helped us,” Aleric said. “This time, too, I was hopeful and had told my parents that our [program’s] leaders would surely come and provide help to us. I am so thankful to you that you understand us and came to save us from starving.”

Vadim, another beneficiary, was also grateful for the food kit he received.

“I have been struggling for many days, as I have no source of income due to the lockdown,” Vadim said. “I have finished all my savings, too, and now I have nothing to feed my family. But today I am really grateful to you for providing the essential groceries for my family. Thank you very much for your help.”

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in some areas have faced a dual threat of disease. Already threatened by the coronavirus and its spread, they soon faced another health risk as the flooding of the rainy season brought an all-too-familiar adversary: the mosquito and the dangerous diseases it can carry.

Staff from GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program in one area recognized the buzzing threat and ensuing battle people in the community faced. In response, they organized a distribution—which included mosquito nets, sanitizer, soap and face masks—to help local children and families in need protect themselves from these diseases.

Local policemen, including assistant sub-inspector Rainer, participated in the distribution program, and the children joyfully received the much-needed items. Now these children, many of whom have learned about proper hygiene through the sponsorship program, have tools to protect themselves from both the coronavirus and vector-borne diseases.

Pastor Distributes Care

Elsewhere in the country, news of the pervasive spread of COVID-19 in Pastor Cabot’s community concerned the GFA missionary. Among those most vulnerable and most affected were poor daily wage labourers, the very “least of these” he served. Pastor Cabot thought of those in the village he knew personally who had been affected. As worry grew in his heart, so did compassion, which compelled him to act.

To help prevent further infections, Pastor Cabot arranged for more than 70 individuals suffering from the virus to receive face masks, soap and sanitizer. Recipients were grateful for the pastor’s love and care toward them.

“I am extremely thankful to you for the love and care towards us,” Remo, one recipient, told Pastor Cabot. “The things which we received seem small, but the love you showed towards us is great.”