By The SUN
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| Bishop Gerry (in white) with Antonio beside him pose with thankful Bethune clients |
Christmas came early for about 25 distressed migrant
women being looked after at Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, which runs
two shelters in Jordan and Sheung Wan.
On Dec 17, Bishop Gerry Vallo of Jesus the Living God church played Santa to the women at the shelter when he dropped off large care packs for each of them, which he hauled all by himself from his church in Sheung Wan.
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Bishop Gerry also turned over $2,500 which was given
to his church as a donation for Bethune House, which is struggling to raise
money for the $700,000 deficit it incurred this year.
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On hand to receive the donations was Bethune’s executive
director Edwina Antonio who recently sent out an emergency appeal for help to
donors, saying the big number of migrant women who sought their help amid the
pandemic had left them in the red.
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| Bishop Gerry prays over the distressed women, one of whom gave birth recently |
Those currently at the two shelters which Bethune
House runs solely on private donations are either seriously ill, abused or
maltreated, or pursuing a labor claim against their employers. One gave birth recently
but had to stay on to serve as a witness in a criminal case.
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After giving out the care packs, Bishop Vallo prayed for those running Bethune House, saying, “God, give them more energy to serve more…”
For the women at the shelter, he prayed that they be
given comfort and blessing so they could overcome their struggles.
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He also hailed Bethune House as a blessing, not only
for Filipinos but to all women in need, whatever their “race, color or
nationalities.”
Antonio thanked Bishop Gerry for his gifts, and hoped that with help from his prayers Bethune could overcome its financial difficulties so it could continue serving distressed migrants.
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| A quarantined Filipina shows off the contents of the gift pack she received from Bishop Gerry |
Bishop Gerry has been crowdfunding among people of faith to help migrant workers in distress and newly arrived Filipino workers who are currently serving their mandatory their 21-day quarantine at Penny’s Bay, Rambler Garden Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott in Shatin.
Also among the beneficiaries of his charity were the wards at the Filipino Workers Resource Center run by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. Eight Filipinas in distress gave him wide smiles as they accepted his care packs, followed by a pray-over.
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| Eight wards at the FWRC were happy to see Bishop Gerry who came with gifts |
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After The SUN helped publicize his offer of giving out
care packs to those at the designated quarantine facilities, more than 100
Filipina workers sent him messages, asking to be included in his gift-giving.
The bishop's response was quick. One grateful Filipina sent a photo of the contents of the care pack she received on Saturday, and said the unexpected gift was a big help to her.
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"Sobrang thank you po at more blessings po. God bless you," said Ann Zamora. (I really thank you, and I hope you receive more blessings in turn).
To date, Bishop Gerry has committed to handing out care packs to some 80 Filipinas in quarantine, but says he continues to pray for more donors so he can provide for all those who had reached out to him.
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