CAMPAIGN: LOVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Saturday, July 24, 2021
For nearly a month, Caritas Da Lat has carried out a campaign of "loving agricultural products" towards Saigon with a heart of charity. The total quantity of goods sent so far is approximately 100 tons of vegetables and fruits of all kinds.
Who joined hands?
The program has received companionship and encouragement from priests, monks, volunteers and many people regardless of age or religion. Everywhere in the diocese, especially in fruit and vegetable production areas such as in Don Duong, Duc Trong, Lam Ha, Bao Lam, many parish priests, parishioners and even the Cistercians order -Thien Loc community joined hands to respond. In remote areas such as Da Tong, Dung K'no, Loc Tan, local people also went to the forest to collect vegetables and bamboo shoots and contribute what they have in the garden to move to Caritas Saigon. In Da Lat, knowing the vegetable gardens were free, the Caritas office called for volunteers including the Sisters of Providence of Portieux, the sisters of Franciscans Missionary of Our Lady, the sister of Our Lady of the Missions, the sisters of Congregation of the Holy Cross Lovers Da Lat, Caritas Mai Anh parish, Caritas Tao Tac parish, citizens of Cach Mang Thang 8 street and many other young people who did not share the same religion, went to harvest, pack and transport. Parish priests Thanh Mau and Mai Anh have also accompanied and actively supported in the introduction of the garden and the stages of harvesting and logistics. It is expected that every week Caritas diocese will continue to deliver 2-3 shipments with a total volume of about 50 tons.
In addition, many parishes such as Thanh Mau, Tung Lam, Don Bosco, Tac Tac, Nam Ban ... and many other places are still actively collecting and transporting agricultural products to places in need in Dong Nai and Saigon. , Phu Cuong…
Unity in the campaign!
In this meaningful campaign, all of them have agreed from above and below as one, many generations, many different life states inside and outside the Church have joined hands to contribute. I don't know how intense the virus is, but thank be to God this is an opportunity to connect people in the highlands with people in the lowlands, people in cities with rural areas, young people with the elderly, parishes with parishes, Priests - monks with laity, Catholics and non-Catholics. All act for the sake of humanity! In the villages, some people have bananas, other people have bamboo shoots, Chayote vegetables, succulents, squash, ginger, lemongrass, lemons, peppers, chilies etc., but there are places where 5 tons of specialties can be collected. The children and their parents went to cut Chayote, the grandparents brought each bunch of rice to the church to deliver to the brothers in Saigon.
To whom are the Gifts sent?
These agricultural products are delivered to Caritas Saigon, Caritas Phu Cuong and a few communities in Bien Hoa to distribute to those in need. In addition, small orders are also delivered to the kitchens of hospitals, religious houses, volunteer groups serving the poor, disabled, homeless, migrant workers in quarantined areas, blockades, etc. quarantine checkpoints, kitchens serving doctors at field hospitals, supermarket chains 0 dong.
The road is long…
There is still a long way to go because we do not know when the epidemic situation will stabilize. Caritas Da Lat continues this campaign and we appreciate the help of garden owners, fathers, monks, grandparents, brothers and sisters and friends of different religions. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: “One of the greatest diseases is living without helping anyone”, we believe that the activities we are doing are one of the cures for the consequences of the pandemic. May God bless the efforts and contributions of each and every member. These contributions are like small drops of water that are combined into a vast ocean of God's love and human love.
Caritas Dalat