Coping with COVID-19 in Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island nation of 22 million people. Like everywhere else in the world, they have not been spared the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic. While the number of cases of COVID-19 remains low, the economic situation has many struggling, especially those in service industries.
The Anglican Church in Sri Lanka has a robust history of social service through its Board of Social Responsibility (BSR). The mission of the BSR is to “reflect on the social Issues and needs, in the light of Christian principles and Gospel values.” The BSR works with local parishes to reach the needs of those in their communities. And now, not surprisingly, there are a lot of needs!
The Anglican Church in Sri Lanka applied for a relief grant from ARDF and we were honored to send them $5,000. This was used to fund activities of the BSR.
We’ve just received a report of their activities.
“We were able to cater to around 3,000 most disadvantaged families. It was an amazing experience where Churches and well-wishers shared what they had though their income was cut off due to the pandemic situation. The Diocese of Colombo, Board of Social Responsibility (BSR) has been observing the situation and gradually reviving its program with limited resources. With lessons learnt, we are more focusing on building stronger, self-reliant, and sustainable families.”
Mary Anthony is an assistant nursery teacher in a private nursery School. Due to Covid 19 she has not received her [meager] salary, because the students at her school can no longer pay tuition. Her husband, who had been working for a hotel, also lost his job.
However, Mary has already finished a sewing course and is qualified in making bags, carpets, and greeting cards. She had an idea to start a small workshop. Her parish, knowing her situation, reached out to support her income-generating plan. Through a request from her parish, the BSR helped to purchase materials and provided financial assistance. She has already started to make bags.We are grateful to Mary’s parish who identified the need and to the BSR of the Anglican Church of Sri Lanka who could fund this need. Mary is just one of the many who received a leg up towards self-sufficiency with ARDF relief funds.
Mary Anthony took a course in sewing after she lost her income due to COVID-19. She received backing from the church to start a business producing bags and other goods for sale.
Thank you for your support and your prayers. And remember the people of Sri Lanka in your prayers. As schools and other institutions reopen in the country and people return to using public transportation, pray that COVID-19 cases do not re-emerge and that God’s peace is tangibly felt by the residents of Sri Lanka.
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