A little more than a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves celebrating, once again, a different Easter from others. An Easter still far from the embraces of our loved ones, with the hope that we can all leave this difficult period behind. However, at this challenging moment, we must remember that every time we overcome a storm, no matter how difficult it may be, we come out enriched, often wiser and taking the lessons we have learned from the experience.
“We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together.” The words spoken by Pope Francis during the prayer of March 27th 2020, urbi et orbi, should be a beacon that guides and leads all of us on this journey of hope towards to the end of this tunnel of the pandemic.
Together with MOAS, since the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, we have decided to roll up our sleeves and continue with our work in assisting the most vulnerable people. Despite great difficulties encountered, we asked ourselves what we could do to help communities in need and counter the spread of the virus. And so, in Bangladesh, we adapted our workshop into a hub and we produced and distributed nearly 900,000 masks.
In Malta numerous volunteers created over 9000 masks that we distributed to the most vulnerable people across the island. The generosity of the volunteers in donating their time and talent to helping others, in such a difficult time, deeply warmed my heart.
Despite logistical difficulties, already complex due to the conflict and subsequently worsened by the pandemic, we have managed to continue our mission and delivered nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical supplies to save the lives of children suffering from acute malnutrition in Yemen and in Somalia.
On the occasion of Easter, I wish for you all to never lose hope, to not squander the teaching that the tragedy of the pandemic is giving us, and to not remain closed within ourselves.
Easter is a time of renewal and rebirth, and we can translate this sentiment into action through extending our hand to those in need.
– Regina Catrambone
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