Our country is on extreme lockdown in response to COVID-19. Curfew is 24-hours a day, social distancing is strictly enforced, masks must be worn whenever outside, and temperatures are in the mid-90s F. Only one person can leave the house to go just to the grocery store or pharmacy and must carry a government-issued pass.
No Work, No Food
We serve the poorest of the poor here, who are disproportionally affected by COVID-19. All construction, transportation, and street-side vending jobs have been shut down—the bulk of employment for the urban poor. This means that the people we serve alongside cannot work so they cannot eat!
The poor live day-to-day, so a disruption like COVID-19 and mitigating efforts to curb its spread through this lockdown are devastating. There has already been news of unrest in Manila’s urban poor communities.
Our work through the local church and our partner church is planted amid the struggle, pain, vulnerability, and fear of poor communities in Manila. As a result, we can pray with church members as well as their families and neighbors. We provide words of encouragement and much-needed practical help during this lockdown, which includes distributing canned meat and rice to 2,000 people.
We can do this work because of C&MA ministry partners in these communities, U.S. Alliance partners responding generously, and the local church. This enables us to be the hands, feet, and heralds of Jesus and His good news! When the Church is a blessing, ensuring a culture of peace and hope for the most vulnerable communities, it brings a God-glorifying result!
by Mark and Melissa Young, Alliance international workers serving with Envision Philippines