As in countries around the world, the covid-19 pandemic has heavily affected the economy of Indonesia. Many factories are closed and blue-collar workers from these factories have lost their jobs. These workers were paid very low wages. Because of their low wages they were unable to have savings. The covid-19 pandemic makes it very difficult for workers and their families to survive. Many families now are starving because they have no money to buy food.
Carmelite students were moved by the situation and organized themselves to do small acts to help their neighbors cope with the situation. The students are supported by the Indonesian Carmelite NGO to do small acts of charity. Working with local grocery stores, the students purchased food items that households use daily. These items include rice, sugar, cooking oil, salt, soy sauce, and noodles. The students made packages of these items and distributed the packages to the poor families living around our Carmelite NGO house in Sidorahayu, a slum of the City of Malang.
The global economy is also suffering the economic effects of covid-19. The situation in the United States is remarkably similar to that of Indonesia. With businesses closed, over 36 million workers have lost their jobs. Food banks see an unprecedented increase in the number of families in need of food.
In his encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis reminds us that we are all created by God and are responsible for caring for one another and all of creation. Covid-19 has awakened us of our mortality and that we do not live alone, but are co-dependent on one another.
Together we will survive covid-19.
