By Fr. Bonifacio Isaias (Icay)

Don Bosco Prenovitiate - Los Palos,Timor Leste, 28 April 2020 -- These days, the whole world feels this pandemia’s strength. This virus kills thousands and still continues killing. Nations that felt all powerful now ask other nations to help fight this terrible virus. Timor also got contaminated with this virus. There are 24 suspected victims who have been isolated and are undergoing maximum treatment individually. Even with this small number of suspected victims, Covid19 remains a menace to people’s lives.

Considering the local situation where the number of positively identified victims of Corona Virus keeps increasing and some Timorese are still undergoing quarantine measures and others are suspected victims of Covid19, there is still the need to prolong the State of Emergency in order to prevent Timorese from this virus and save them.

A situation like this prevents the citizens from access to public services. It also makes it difficult for them to obtain materials for their basic needs. Thus, the Don Bosco of Lospalos, along with a group of Salesian Family members and other church groups of the parish have collected and distributed some materials to help the needy members of the local community. This is an opportune moment to foster a greater sense of solidarity. And it is also a time to awaken in others to open their eyes and their hearts to give a helping hand to others, to help those in need in times of this calamity.

Indeed, when we enter into their lives, we see that they really need. On one hand, the government has decreed the State of Emergency to prevent Covid19 from spreading and save people from this disease, but on the other hand, people like public transportation drivers and ambulant food vendors have to earn their daily bread for themselves and their family.

Through this social action on the part of the Salesian community of Don Bosco Lospalos, the community appeals to the Christians to get involved in the solidarity and charitable work in this difficult times. These days, what is essential are not the luxury or expensive items, but what is necessary to keep on living. Maybe to some of us, what is essential are the expensive things, but to these people who do not have the materials for their basic needs, the important things are: rice, soap, salt. So, let us strive to foster a greater sense of solidarity, thereby fighting Covid19 together.

Our Salesian community (Rector: Fr. Elias de Deus) is also active with their songs, prayer and Eucharist in the social media and on Youtube, where most of the young people are very much present.

NB - Don Bosco Los Palos community (parish, prenovitiate, orphanage, agriculture) of 7 SDB and 24 prenovices is located in the Far East of East Timor. The Parish of St. Paul is stretching in dozens of villages, the farest community from the capital of Dili.

• Related news article: AustraLasia 5225: Prenovices in Los Palos (2018)
• Youtube channel (Los Palos SDB music)

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