Priest seeks support for children caught in conflict
MANILA, Philippines — A Mindanao-based Catholic priest from Mindanao is sought help Wednesday to support children caught in conflict in Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat province.
Fr. Rhodius Noguera of the town's San Isidro Parish lamented that children, whether Christian, Muslim or Lumad, continue to experience inhuman condition and hostility.
"I am most concerned about the condition of the children who consistently get traumatized because of the terrorism wrought by the group of armed men. We desperately need the help of NGOs or concerned institutions who can bring meaning in the miserable conditions of the people," he said in an article posted Wednesday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website (www.cbcpnews.com).
He begged media to focus on the children and their paradise, as well as the "unconcerned armed men" ready to devour them.
Noguera recently held drawings and writings for at least 400 students from Paril and Sangay in Kalamansig who experienced two instances of evacuation, an exodus of turbulent fear from the hostile intimidation of armed bandits.
To date, they have not had any assistance to respond to their disturbed well-being. They still cuddle their fear, day-in and day-out, Noguera said.
"People in Kalamansig would say that they can withstand their being poor but they can no longer endure the continuing spread of terrorism.
Fear is not only in Paril and Sangay, it is like a virus that contaminated the paradise. Appalled by the situations, surrendering, people see themselves in a very helpless condition. This I find difficult to pay no heed to," he said.
He said he has done consultation among 30 poor communities in Kalamansig, planned for disaster with communities affected by armed men invasions, counseling and group process among children, and mobilization with leaders.
"I simply cannot work alone. I need your help. We need your help," he said.
"It is my hope that this concern will spread among the people who have a heart for the poor especially the children. Let not hostility contaminate their innocent spirits. I am fully aware that I put myself at risk in doing this move but I am more convinced of the urgency to respond to the poor conditions of the children and liberate them from fear and poverty," he added.
Noguera noted that his parish served as one of the evacuation centers in February and August.
"We have not received any assistance yet. The children are again reburdened of the terror of evacuation process. They have not fully recovered and here they are again. Please listen to our cause. There are over 1,000 children in the said place," he said. - GMANews.TV
Fr. Rhodius Noguera of the town's San Isidro Parish lamented that children, whether Christian, Muslim or Lumad, continue to experience inhuman condition and hostility.
"I am most concerned about the condition of the children who consistently get traumatized because of the terrorism wrought by the group of armed men. We desperately need the help of NGOs or concerned institutions who can bring meaning in the miserable conditions of the people," he said in an article posted Wednesday on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines website (www.cbcpnews.com).
He begged media to focus on the children and their paradise, as well as the "unconcerned armed men" ready to devour them.
Noguera recently held drawings and writings for at least 400 students from Paril and Sangay in Kalamansig who experienced two instances of evacuation, an exodus of turbulent fear from the hostile intimidation of armed bandits.
To date, they have not had any assistance to respond to their disturbed well-being. They still cuddle their fear, day-in and day-out, Noguera said.
"People in Kalamansig would say that they can withstand their being poor but they can no longer endure the continuing spread of terrorism.
Fear is not only in Paril and Sangay, it is like a virus that contaminated the paradise. Appalled by the situations, surrendering, people see themselves in a very helpless condition. This I find difficult to pay no heed to," he said.
He said he has done consultation among 30 poor communities in Kalamansig, planned for disaster with communities affected by armed men invasions, counseling and group process among children, and mobilization with leaders.
"I simply cannot work alone. I need your help. We need your help," he said.
"It is my hope that this concern will spread among the people who have a heart for the poor especially the children. Let not hostility contaminate their innocent spirits. I am fully aware that I put myself at risk in doing this move but I am more convinced of the urgency to respond to the poor conditions of the children and liberate them from fear and poverty," he added.
Noguera noted that his parish served as one of the evacuation centers in February and August.
"We have not received any assistance yet. The children are again reburdened of the terror of evacuation process. They have not fully recovered and here they are again. Please listen to our cause. There are over 1,000 children in the said place," he said. - GMANews.TV
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