Johannesburg (South Africa) The lockdown situation due to the Coronavirus is becoming increasingly complex due to the fact that people are out of work and therefore without food. The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Blessed Laura Vicuña Community of Johannesburg, of Our Lady of Peace Province (AFM), bring some hope to the poor through a program of concrete aid.
The students of the Centers in the context of Don Bosco Educational Projects, of Laura Vicuña Primary School, and of St. Mary Preschool of the Finetown Development Center are among the poorest. The children come mainly from informal settlements and camps for squatters. 70% is made up of migrants from neighboring countries and 30% of undocumented South African citizens. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the parents of these children did not have a permanent job and worked only occasionally. The lockdown prevented them even from looking for ‘garbage’ in landfills, to get some money and guarantee their families the bare minimum to live. Their health is affected and this state also leads to psychological consequences. At school the children ate a full meal every day; now they don’t have that either. Given the current conditions,they are more vulnerable.
Thanks to the Providence that arrived through some benefactors, the FMA were able to prepare food packages and distribute them between 22 and 25 May 2020 to the poorest families, on the occasion of the Feast of Mary Help of Christians.
The pupils and their parents were very happy with this extraordinary help and showed their gratitude to Sister Motselisi Maliehe and Sister Maria Nguyen for the food packages they received, which allowed them to nurture hope again.
Thank you very much, dearest Sisters ! Continue giving hope to the poorest with faith and love. May the Lord bless you and our Mother Mary accompany you always!