The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted how many Christians have misunderstood the Lord's words in the Gospel of St. Matthew: "Every time they did it to one of my younger siblings, they did it to me." (25, 40). Solidarity initiatives have multiplied everywhere, especially in favor of the most needy. Bolivia has been no exception.
There are many parishes, youth groups and associations of various kinds that have turned to help the most vulnerable. One way to learn about these initiatives is through the website of the Social Pastoral Network Caritas Bolivia (caritasbolivia.org), which has been working in the country for 61 years, serving the unprotected, disadvantaged and even despised population of society such as the elderly, migrants, people with disabilities and people deprived of liberty. All of them are today at high risk of vulnerability. To date, the Caritas Social Pastoral Network has received more than 1.5 million Bolivianos in humanitarian aid for food, hygiene and biosecurity supplies and lodging.
Since the beginning of the quarantine in Bolivia, work in favor of the underprivileged has increased. Of particular relevance is the campaign #AlimentemoslaEsperanza. a joint initiative of the Pastoral Social Caritas Boliviana, the Catholic University, the Autonomous Municipal Government of La Paz, and the supermarket chains Hypermaxi y Ketal. In this way, a call for solidarity with people who do not have access to food is made.
Through various channels, food and resources have been collected to help the most vulnerable. When a person makes a purchase in one of these supermarkets, he/she can make a donation. Donations can also be made by bank transfer.
As a result of this effort, on April 30, more than 8 tons and 700 kilos of food and hygiene items were delivered, respectively, to benefit the most vulnerable population of La Paz and El Alto, including prisoners, the elderly, people with disabilities and migrants, who were particularly affected during this Covid-19 pandemic. The campaign will continue.
Another way to find out more about the initiatives of the faithful is to visit the page Living Church (iglesiaviva.net). Ordinary people, religious and volunteers, accompanied by their pastors, join forces and have made a commitment to help the needy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Catholic Voices Bolivia has gathered the links of the country's media, through which the Catholic community accesses news related to their faith and is accompanied by the Church (iglesiaviva.net/2020/04/29/iglesia-digital-en-bolivia).
Bolivia
