A Catholic Youth activist in Bandung, West Java, gives aid items to a Muslim woman.
Photo: Edi Silaban An Indonesian Catholic youth organisation has formed a solidarity movement where people are being encouraged to help support families during the coronavirus.
The ‘Adopt One Brother’ movement, started by Catholic Youth, has spread to 26 of the country’s 34 provinces, according to Stefanus Asat Gusma, who heads up the group’s Covid-19 task force.
He said the movement involves thousands of Catholic Youth members wanting to help poor people, especially those who had lost their jobs after restrictions on activities were imposed to prevent the spread of the virus.
“First, we mobilised our own members to help our fellow brothers and sisters who are experiencing difficulties. Then we extended our reach to anyone who was willing to help others.”
He said the group is signing up volunteers who will commit to donating 200,000 to 500,000 rupiah (US$12-32) per week for an affected family.
“After we receive their data, we contact them about where they would like their donations to go,” he said. “If a donor wants to donate to a family, we will coordinate with our members to seek a family in need.”
He said they have also distributed around 2,000 aid packages to families in coordination with local governments, dioceses and other religious groups.
“We want others to act, not only through our organisation but also individually or with other groups.”
Gusma said the initiative will continue until the pandemic ends.
“We want to show the importance of showing human solidarity in the midst of this current crisis,” he said.