Catholics raise funds, collect food for East Sumba villages at risk for famine
by Mathias Hariyadi
An outreach programme called “A bowl of rice” is launched to help people who suffered crop failure. Members of the KBKK, Indonesia’s most active group of lay Catholics, take the lead. Pangkal Pinang bishop says it is time to show “universal solidarity”. Response to campaign is very positive.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Indonesian Catholics have organised an outreach programme to prevent famine on East Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara province, where crops failed in September threatening food supplies. With the lives of hundreds of local villagers at risk, the Church appealed for “A bowl of rice” for East Sumba as a show of solidarity. Members of the Kelompok Bakti Kasih Kemanusiaan (KBKK), a lay humanitarian group led by German dermatologist Irene Setiadi, were among the first to give a positive response.
Speaking to his congregation, Mgr Hilarius Moa Nurak, bishop of Pangkal Pinang on Bangka Island, off the main island of Sumatra, said, “It is time to show universal solidarity” among Indonesians.
Diocesan priest Fr Hans Jehartu Pr issued the same appeal using the KBKK mailing lists and received a positive response.
Catholics in West Sumba also organise “A bowl of rice” fund raising with the enthusiastic help of activists in Jakarta who made donations.
After starting low key, the campaign took off. About US$ 2,000 were raised in a few days. Catholics also collected rice, which is the main staple in the local diet.
“It is not necessary to collect huge amounts of rice,” Irene Setiadi said. What counts “is to show our compassion” and keep at it every day. She hopes that each Catholic family will be able to collect at least five kilos in 30 days. That should come to some 60,000 Indonesian rupee worth of rice.
In addition to working for the rice collection campaign, the Catholic group KBKK is cooperating with the Diocese of Manada (pictured) to provide pastoral services and medical care in the remotest areas of North Sulawesi Province.
Thirty-three people from eight dioceses, including Padang in West Sumatra, took part in the mission in Manada.
The local bishop, Mgr Yos Suwatan, thanked KBKK volunteers during the Mass celebrating the 25 years of priesthood of Fr Terry Ponomban Pr’s, one of the KBKK’s founders.
Speaking to his congregation, Mgr Hilarius Moa Nurak, bishop of Pangkal Pinang on Bangka Island, off the main island of Sumatra, said, “It is time to show universal solidarity” among Indonesians.
Diocesan priest Fr Hans Jehartu Pr issued the same appeal using the KBKK mailing lists and received a positive response.
Catholics in West Sumba also organise “A bowl of rice” fund raising with the enthusiastic help of activists in Jakarta who made donations.
After starting low key, the campaign took off. About US$ 2,000 were raised in a few days. Catholics also collected rice, which is the main staple in the local diet.
“It is not necessary to collect huge amounts of rice,” Irene Setiadi said. What counts “is to show our compassion” and keep at it every day. She hopes that each Catholic family will be able to collect at least five kilos in 30 days. That should come to some 60,000 Indonesian rupee worth of rice.
In addition to working for the rice collection campaign, the Catholic group KBKK is cooperating with the Diocese of Manada (pictured) to provide pastoral services and medical care in the remotest areas of North Sulawesi Province.
Thirty-three people from eight dioceses, including Padang in West Sumatra, took part in the mission in Manada.
The local bishop, Mgr Yos Suwatan, thanked KBKK volunteers during the Mass celebrating the 25 years of priesthood of Fr Terry Ponomban Pr’s, one of the KBKK’s founders.
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