Aug 7, 2020
“We are simple farmers not terrorists”
Our dear friends in the Philippines have been busy during this pandemic. As the United Nation’s
secretary general recently noted, the threat from coronavirus is temporary whereas the threat from heat waves, floods and extreme storms resulting in the loss of human life will remain with us for years.
Though Bravely trying not to succumb to the dreaded implications of the corona-virus they are trying to come together to build a stronger community and developed their approach to sustainable living.
Earlier on in the year they had begun their relentless “Beat the Plastic” campaign in which they were making brick products from the plastic trash and now they are admirably trying to create a sustainable living by launching their UMAHANTA programme on MAY 15, 2020 the Feast Day of San Isidro Labrador (Patron Saint of the Farmers). They have already obtained a DSWD certificate (registered as a Social Welfare and Development Agency) and are now waiting on a licence to operate.
“We have a total of 4.2 land hectares with an encroachment of cemetery more or less 5 mts. by 300 mts. With more or less 40 tombs inside our property.”
Their main aims are :
1. Establish a farm structure with a nursery house, seeding shelter house & composting area.
2. Build a Water system which will include a deep well, solar power , a big water tank and water impounding area.
3. Build an inventory of Bodega Farm Tools for the community . (Enough for 10 workers)
4. Construct an Animal Raising house (i.e. huts for goats, chickens, pig, turkey etc.)
5. Increase their crop production i.e.
-Vegetables bahay kubo (nipa hut) 10 kg harvest
-Fruit trees (minimum 20 pcs each)
Indigenous Trees/Fruit Trees will be sourced out from San Luis, La Paz, & Talacogon, etc.
“We want to adopt the style of Fr. Mac in Surigao generously dispersing seedlings all the time. Our Target for dispersal: at least 100 seedling trees every month.”
They also intend to produce quality organic Bio-feeds from Market Waste -fruits/vegetables and farm roughages with their machines like the Shredder, the Pelletizer, the Presser and the Mixer with a proper Fermentation Technique.
A Livestock Dispersal Programme – Must be planned out and intensified in this time of pandemic with the farmers who are willing to avail of this livelihood.
The MSC Centre for the Poor Phillippines wants to pursue this project by organising the local community, schools, parishes, organizations and gather their collective efforts to carry the following advocacy:
-Education on the integrity of creation,
-Zero Waste and Segregation,
-Ecological Balance,
-Garbage Management.
“We have to open our resources for the people our “UMAHANTA” Community Farming Program serves as a model to develop more farms… .COVID 19 has brought us back to the BASIC…
We must establish and produce farm products which is sustainable for people to live.”
There is a strong need now more than ever to create income generating projects and other efforts to raise the quality of life for the rural poor, promote and work with technology that is appropriate , ecologically balanced and safe. They must be able to save and use the traditional rice, corn and vegetable seed varieties that are not dependent on heavy chemical input.
Through this they need to create training programmes on Environmental Management Systems that will strengthen their centres and collective farms.
We must look forward and work for a just, equitable, judicious use of our natural and human resources.7. We believe that we are all connected and that by helping another, we help ourselves. Each individual can make a commitment to work towards the common good. As individuals, our personal contributions may be small, but when united in common cause, we can change the world. Let us reshape our planet revolutionizing sustainable life style of today to a much better future starting with ourselves.
development.
Update from MSC August Conference 2020 , Fr Richie Gomez MSC and Fr Tans MSC
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Jul 8, 2020
Things are increasingly difficult for our less fortunate friends in South Sudan lately. It has been been recognized among countries most at risk of what the UN World Food Programme (WFP) calls a “hunger pandemic”. Hunger and malnutrition in the country are at the most extreme levels since 2011, with almost 60% of the population struggling to find food every day. To add to this swarms of locusts which had destroyed crops across East Africa arrived in South Sudan earlier this year. They have also seen an increase in clan fights and revenge attacks, an increase in malaria, rains have been late and people are still struggling to plant .
And then of course to top all that they also have to deal with the dreaded Coronavirus.
As of today 7th July 2020, South Sudan has confirmed 2,021 cases, 333 recoveries and 38 deaths from the coronavirus . However in Loreto Rumbeck our companions Sr Orla Treacy, and the Loreto Sisters have informed us that It’s hard to know the real reality of Coronavirus, as they have only one official testing centre in the country a population of over 12 million. Tests sent from Rumbek can take up to two weeks, and meanwhile it seems that individuals are quarantined in their homes but their homes are small and basic and often can accommodate up to five people so social distancing at home isn’t very possible.
“On the more hopeful side of things we have a new Governor, we expect appointments for the State Ministers to be within this month.”
Another hopeful sign for them has been the rise of children under 5 being treated in the their clinic, in Rumbeck as they now represent 25% of overall patients. Unfortunately children are the most vulnerable in the community.
Photos courtesy of Loreto Schools Rumbeck on Facebook
During the month of June they have expanded as much as possible their knowledge of Covid-19, social distancing and health education in the clinic while also enjoying more personal protective equipment.
Sr Petra has been supporting the staff with psycho-social support, this has been appreciated by all. “Meanwhile our block makers are helping to keep the goats away from the crops while our resident staff are all having a chance to improve their cooking skills!”
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are always proud to support the wonderful work done by the Loreto Sisters for the young women of South Sudan.
For more photographs and further information about Loreto Rumbek, visit their website or visit their Facebook page.
You can also find out more about how MSC Missions work with Loreto Rumbek – and how you can help to make a difference to the young women of South Sudan.
HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN
Jul 2, 2020
MSC Easter Draw 2020
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s MSC Easter Draw!
Prize Winners:
1st Prize: €2,000 Cruise Travel Voucher
J. Murphy,
Fermoy, Co. Cork.
2nd Prize: €1,500 Sun Holiday Voucher
P. Dalton
Tralee, Co. Kerry
3rd Prize: €1,000 City Break Voucher
C. Mc Lean
Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
4th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher
C. McLoughlin
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
5th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher
C. Watters
Ardar, Co. Donegal
6th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher
D. Desmond
Mallow, Co. Cork
7th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher
M. Casey
Galbally, Co. Limerick
8th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher
P. Kneafsey
Ballina, Co. Mayo
9th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher
E. Swan
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
10th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher
A. O’Carroll
Oranmore,Co. Galway
11th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher
D. Forde
Greenmount, Cork
12th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher
T. Collins
Bantry, Co. Cork
13th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher
B. Herraghty
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
14th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher
P. O’Dea
Kilmallock, Co. Limerick
15th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher
A. Connolly
Dunmany, Co. Cork
16th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher
S. O’Regan
Watergrasshill, Co. Cork
17th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher
C. McLoughlin
Ballinalee Road, Co. Longford
18th Prize: €500 Hot Air Balloon Voucher
E. Banville
Rathfarnham, Dublin.
19th Prize: €500 Driving Lessons Voucher
C. Rellis
Cork Road, Co. Waterford
20th Prize: €500 Cookery Class Voucher
B. Lavin
Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
All winners will be notified individually.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took part in this year’s draw.
This year’s MSC Easter Draw took place on Wednesday, July 1st 2020.
Jul 2, 2020
The 10 lucky winners of the €200 shopping vouchers are as follows:
1. A. Doyle – Farrenferris, Cork
2. J. Costello – Lucan, Co. Dublin
3. J. McGlinchey- Dungannon, Co. Tyrone
4. L Doohan – Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
5. E. Murphy – Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny
6. T. Galvin – Lissards, Co. Cork
7. T. Quigley – Knockcroghery, Co.Roscommon
8. P. O’Mahony – Tralee, Co. Kerry
9. C. Ganley – Moate, Co. Westmeath
10. J. Buckley – Macroom, Co. Cork
Congratulations to you all!
GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
Jul 2, 2020
The 30 lucky winners of the €100 shopping vouchers are as follows:
1. C. O’Carroll- Tralee, Co. Kerry
2. J. Appleby – Glasheen Road, Cork
3. E. Mulcahy – Dunmanway, Co. Cork
4. A. Hernon – Aran Islands, Co. Galway
5. E. Hogan- Dundrum, Co. Tipperary
6. M. Galwey – Leap, Co. Cork
7. J. Colleran- Castlebar, Co. Mayo
8. K. Rohan – Ballygunner, Co. Waterford
9. R. Finn- Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
10. M. O’Driscoll – Skibbereen, Co. Cork
11. M.Chambers – Westport, Co. Mayo
12. C. O’Keeffe- Clonakilty, Co. Cork
13. E. O’Sullivan – Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
14. R. Doyle- Castlcomer, Co. Kilkenny
15. S. Troy – Cashel, Co. Tipperary
16. P. Durand – Greystones, Co. Wicklow
17. S. Collins – Malahide, Co. Dublin
18. A. Kinsella- Drogheda, Co. Louth
19. M. Kevlihan- Navan Road, Co. Dublin
20. A. Carson – Old Park Road, Belfast
21. D. Twomey – Tralee, Co. Kerry
22. D. Randles – Killarney, Co. Kerry
23. M. McFadden – Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
24. J. Harte- Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
25. N. O’Connor – Listowel, Co. Kerry
26. N. Duffy- Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
27. K. Bent – John Street, Co. Wexford
28. E. Corrigan – Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh
29. P. McGrath – Thomondgate, Co. Limerick
30. A. Yates- Birr, Co. Offaly
Congratulations Everyone!
GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
