Pictured above: A compassion volunteer delivers food to a family in Peru during the global pandemic.
Menlo Church, thank you for partnering with Compassion International to deliver emergency relief to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the globe, families who were already living in poverty, suddenly faced even greater challenges due to illness or unemployment. This report contains photos and updates of Compassion’s global relief efforts, with an emphasis on Peru.
Helping Children in Peru
Peru has reported more than 903,000 COVID-19 infections and nearly 34,400 related deaths as of November 4. The government has extended national quarantine measures through December 18. Children under the age of 12 (formerly under 14) must remain at home and are allowed out of the house for 60 minutes each day with the supervision of an adult and within 500 meters of their residence. Adults over age 65 and high-risk individuals cannot leave their homes except for going to the grocery store, bank or pharmacy, or in a medical emergency. The wearing of face masks in public places is mandatory, and social distancing of at least 1 meter (3.2 feet) must be maintained. Schools and other public and religious events remain suspended. All social gatherings, including those held in homes and with family, are prohibited.
All Compassion frontline church partners have suspended children’s and youths’ activities. The national staff and church partners are monitoring children and families who are vulnerable due to extreme poverty, possible abuse or health complications. Centers remain focused on caring for children in four main areas: physically, through telehealth and disease prevention training; emotionally, through remote counseling; socially, through regular check-ins and visits when permitted; and spiritually, through counseling, devotionals and prayer.
Compassion’s Response in Peru (April – October 2020)
Helping Families Survive
The following is a letter from Fatima, mother of a Compassion-assisted child in Brazil. Her story is far too common, and because of you, there are millions of families around the world that still have hope.
Dear Friends,
When I first heard the news about the pandemic, I thought that it would pass soon. But I was mistaken. I have always dedicated myself to taking care of my children as a housewife, but my husband was unemployed, so I decided to look for a job at the beginning of the year. When I finally got my first formal job as a hotel maid, I was so happy. I was full of hopes for the future.
COVID-19 came to steal many people’s dreams, including mine. Suddenly, after almost two months of consistent work, I was fired and found myself without a job again. My husband was still unemployed, and my children stopped going to school.
Our frustration would have been even tougher had it not been for the care and support of the volunteers at the child development center (CDC). And even when the center closed its doors due to the pandemic, they did not abandon my children. At the beginning of the pandemic, the center staff members started delivering ready-meals, masks and hand sanitizer. As quarantine extended on, the volunteers delivered more food baskets when our pantry was becoming increasingly empty.
The center was the only help we received during this period. My son became anxious during the quarantine, but he received psychological support from the center to deal with the challenges of this time.
I still don’t know how much longer this pandemic will last, but we can already see the light of better days. When all this is over, I will worship God in gratitude for all that He has done in our lives at this time. Despite the hardships, I can see His provision and blessing.
Fatima
Compassion’s Global COVID-19 Response (April – September 2020)
Your Gift Gives Hope to Families in Need
We are continually amazed by God’s provision and the faithful support of our donors — including you. The need among our church partners rose dramatically over the past several months, but we were able to answer their call for help and step in to meet the needs of the children we serve. We are so grateful for your steadfast support in this time of need!