In these times of grave crisis, St. Ignatius reminds us to always be men and women for others. Embodying this spirituality, our brothers and sisters from the different Ateneo and Jesuit-run institutions showed their compassion and generosity through various efforts and initiatives to aid the community in the fight against COVID-19.
ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY
The Ateneo de Manila University in collaboration with the Institute of Social Order and the Jesuit Philippine Province have set up Project Panunuluyan – a housing effort at the ISO Dormitory for healthcare frontliners of Quirino Hospital. The Jesuit Residence have also shown their support in this initiative, thanking the frontliners as “they need to “Rest, Recharge and Renew”.
XAVIER UNIVERSITY – ATENEO DE CAGAYAN
Xavier University launches its #XUKontraCOVID19 program – a donation drive to support healthcare frontliners with PPEs and transportation, and families in need of food packs and hygiene items. This is the University’s “institutional approach” as they take part in combating the local challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals and groups may donate through cash donations to the University’s bank accounts.
PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1496792957153930&set=a.395263723973531
In a Facebook post on their page, Xavier University’s Night School program shares a video showing their continued support to its learners. The video showed the recipients thanking the donors who supported the University’s efforts. They were able to give out sacks of rice and other relief packs.
VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/XUNSP/videos/561326911156935
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) of Xavier University assured its students who were not able to go home before the lockdown of continued support. In their initial response last April 7, students received food packs courtesy of #XUKontraCOVID19 program. For XU OSA’s second wave of response, the University plans to coordinate travel assistance for the stranded students to send the students back to their respective homes.
PHOTO: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1514163318750227&set=pcb.1514163642083528
“In these trying times, be someone’s sunshine.”
XU Project Sunshine was launched to share messages of hope to COVID-19 patients and appreciation to the frontliners. They believe that words of affirmation go beyond and has the power to uplift others. XU students and others in the community are encouraged to send physical, digital, or scanned copies of their messages or artworks expressing their message. They may also address their messages to different fields of frontliners such as security guards and medical practitioners or to the general public.
PHOTO: https://www.facebook.com/XUProjectSunshine/
ATENEO DE NAGA UNIVERSITY
Families of ADNU employees and members of the Naga Jesuit Community took initiative in producing face shields. Brother Raymundo Belleza personally turned over 379 face shields to the nurses of the Bicol Medical Center. In support of these efforts, ADNU JHS launched Project Saludo – students sent their prayers and messages of support with their cards and posters.
PHOTO: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1873380149458885&set=pcb.1873380309458869
Xavier School
Xavier School and its Alumni Association together with the city government of San Juan took initiative to start up the “K.K.K.: Kalinga Kontra Korona”. The initiative aims to proactively take part in mitigating the spread of the disease. The school and its alumni association called on generous donors from its community and from others as well to donate much-needed finances and essentials such as beds, PPEs, sanitation consumables and equipment. Recently, they announced on their Facebook page that they are looking for medical workers such as licensed physicians, registered nurses, under-board nursing students, licensed caregivers, and licensed midwives.
Xavier School also launched “Alay Kalinga COVID-19” in cooperation with the San Juan City government. Alay Kalina COVID-19 is a relief effort for San Juan City medical frontliners and the hardest hit barangays. Monetary donations and Donations in Kind such as rice noodles, canned goods, washable face masks, hand sanitizers, and bottled water will support their feeding program, the barangays under strict lockdown, and frontliners.
Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Ateneo de Zamboange University mobilized its university vehicles to transport healthcare workers and frontliners to hospitals.
Their efforts go beyond the confines of their homes and individual lives, expressing magis in their community in this time of great need. They give and do not count the cost because nothing is costlier than the consequences of our inaction amid this global pandemic. Let us continue to take part in these efforts and initiatives for the greater glory of God and country.
HiLites ASHS 