COMPASSION DURING ADVERSITY

The Archdiocesan Office for Human Development (AOHD), Archdiocesan Orang Asli Apostolate (AOAA) and Parish Integral Human Development Ministries (PIHDM) of St Joseph’s Church, Sentul as well as the PIDHM from various Parishes in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, would like to express our gratitude to all Parishioners and individuals for their solidarity with flood-affected families, particularly in the state of Pahang.

We have shown our care, support and concern for these flood victims by reaching out to them with much-needed aid. Despite the spike in numbers of COVID-19 infections in the Klang Valley, volunteers came from our neighbouring parishes (Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya) to join hands and hearts for the flood relief project organised by the AOHD AOAA. St Joseph’s Church was the Operations Centre for collection and distribution of items to the flood victims. Another group of Parishioners initiated an Operations Centre in Kuantan and the AOHD purchased the necessary supplies online, and delegated this group to distribute the items in the East Coast. The project has been very effective and efficient, as it reached out to many affected people and families, especially the Orang Asli community.

We started the project for the flood victims on 8 January 2021. The project was meant to last 10 days, but had to be cut short to only 5 days because of the announcement of the Movement Controlled Order (MCO) in certain states from 13-26 January 2021. Without much delay, our volunteers spent extra hours to sort out and transport the supplies to Pahang, before the MCO took effect. We packed the supplies (groceries, dried packaged and canned foods, toiletries, mineral water, washed and ironed clothes, cleaning supplies and other basic necessities) worth approximately RM120 into each plastic tub instead of boxes, so that the tubs could be reused to store water or dry food. We managed to send all the items by trucks to flood-victims in Mentakab and Kuala Rompin. We had a few reliable Orang Asli kampung leaders to assist us in distributing the goods in Kuala Rompin.

Within a short period of time, many kind-hearted people came forward to provide the necessary to help families that were affected by the floods. Our help towards these people in remote kampungs would have eased their burdens in some little way. Since the MCO started, we have stopped receiving goods for this flood relief project. However, we seem to still be receiving donations of supplies from parishioners within the Archdiocese. These items will be stored for now, but once the MCO is lifted, we will transport them to the respective affected areas.

Our heartfelt gratitude and sincere appreciation to all volunteers, donors and PIHDMs from various parishes in the KL Archdiocese, as well as individuals for coming forward and reaching out to assist these flood victims. We appreciate your kindness, support, and generosity in supporting this worthy cause.

During this Year of St Joseph, we are so blessed and privileged to be the Operation Centre for the flood sites. On behalf of AOHD, AOAM and PIHDM of St Joseph’s Church, I would like to thank all of you for the marvellous outpouring of help, especially your willingness and compassion to reach out to those most in need, even in this time of pandemic. Everyone involved has played a crucial part. We also thank Archbishop Julian Leow for his assistance and moral support. We believe the prayer of St Joseph has brought success to the works of our hands at this much-needed time.