【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2020 年 03月 27 日厄瓜多爾基多訊】 ─ 冠狀病毒大流行，不只令全球數以千計的人感染甚至死亡，更因著長時間隔離及各級生產活動癱瘓，嚴重動搖多個貧困國家的經濟，厄瓜多爾也是在這景況中。根據BBC網站的資料顯示，在拉丁美洲人口中，以厄瓜多爾的2019冠狀病毒感染及死亡率最高。同時，根據厄瓜多爾駐西班牙大使的資料顯示，目前有多達422,000名厄瓜多爾籍人士在西班牙，是該國最大的拉丁美洲族群團體。
在厄瓜多爾，經濟資源有限的家庭受到最大影響，因為他們沒有穩定工作，欠缺固定收入來源。
面對這個困境，厄瓜多爾會省的慈幼會省會長，透過慈幼會傳教辦公室misión Don Bosco，發起「為得到日常糧，讓他們能留在家中」的運動，旨在透過基本食物包援助（三個月價值60美元），協助約1,000個家庭。除了支援最有需要人士外，這個計劃也能改善公共健康，因為他們無需為生計而離開家園。
這個計劃的直接受惠者，將是安第斯及亞馬遜傳教區、堂區及「厄瓜多爾慈幼計劃」所涵蓋，最貧苦無助的團體，這也是活躍於該國的「耶穌聖心」會省，優先處理的工作。計劃優先照顧得不到國家援助，單親而多於三名子女，有長老殘障者，靠街頭擺賣微薄收入或沒有固定收入的家庭。
為能達到這個目標，開展了一項全國性意識運動，涉及慈幼家庭不同團體。詳情請聯絡www.misiondonbosco.org.ec
這項運動與慈幼會會憲吻合，堅信福傳的首要及主要目標是青年，尤其是最貧困者，這倡議回應了目前的急需，可以這麼說，使人不致漠視世上所發生的事。在基多負責這項運動的人表示：「我們相信數以千計的支持者，將會參與這項偉大的運動，使最需要人士得益。」
“For daily bread, so they can stay home”: Salesian solidarity in the time of COVID-19
(ANS – Ecuador–Quito, 27 March 2020) – The coronavirus pandemic has not only caused thousands of infections and deaths worldwide, but has also dealt a severe blow to the economy in countries where poverty and misery abound, because of the period of isolation and the paralysis of production activities at all levels; so, too, in Ecuador. According to the BBC website, Ecuador has the highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths compared to the local population in the context of Latin America; and at the same time, the Ecuadorian embassy in Madrid reports that there are currently 422,000 Ecuadorians in Spain, which makes it the largest Latin American community in the country.
In Ecuador, the worst affected are families with limited economic resources, as they do not have a stable job and live on a daily income.
Faced with this situation, the Salesian Provincial of Ecuador, through the Salesian Mission Office “misión Don Bosco”, launched the campaign “For daily bread, so that they can stay at home”, an initiative that aims to help about 1,000 families through basic food kits – worth $60 – for three months. In addition to supporting the most needy, this initiative also helps public health, because it allows them to avoid leaving their homes in search of a much-needed livelihood.
The direct beneficiaries will be the most vulnerable groups linked to the Andean and Amazon missions, the parishes and the “Ecuador Salesian Project”, which are priority works for the Province of the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” active in that country. Priority will be given to families that do not receive state support, with only one parent and more than 3 children, those with elderly or disabled people, those whose income came from small street sales or those with no fixed salary.
To achieve this goal, a national awareness campaign was launched with the various groups of the Salesian Family. For further information, please contact: www.misiondonbosco.org.ec
Consistent with the Salesian Constitutions, which affirm that the first and main recipients of the mission are the young, especially the poorest, this initiative asnwers to the urgencies present, so as not to remain indifferent to what is happening on the ground, so to speak. “We are sure that thousands of supportive hearts will join this great crusade for the well-being of those who need it the most,” say the people in charge from Quito.