Latter-day Saint Women Rise Up to Serve Others Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

As provinces, cities, and municipalities from all over the Philippines closed their borders as precautionary measures against the COVID-19 threat, Latter-day Saint women from different parts of the country opened their eyes to identify opportunities for service in their own simple ways.

In celebration of National Women’s Month, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints highlighted stories of women who, despite lockdown measures, used their time and talents to be "of service to their fellow beings."

Food Kit Delivery in Fairview

Although community quarantine measures were for the protection of the general public, the implementation affected the livelihood of many, including members in the Fairview. Upon knowing this, one bishop in the Fairview Philippines Stake (diocese) enlisted the help of Joan Valenzuela and her husband. Both bought food supplies, which consisted of rice, canned goods, noodle packs and sachets of powdered milk, and repacked them themselves

On the same day, they delivered the food packs to members who need them the most. The next day, they enlisted the help of another couple, Alevein and Judy Dimamay, to deliver the rest of the goods.

Overall, their act of kindness was able to help 55 Latter-day Saint families. Additionally, they also helped deliver food packs to 20 families who were being taught by missionaries. All these they did while back rides on motorcycles were still permitted.

According to Joan, they are grateful for the opportunity to serve despite the fear and uncertainty of being exposed because they believe that the 70 families needed them the most.

Charity in Action in Quezon Province

Amid social distancing measures, sisters in Gumaca went out of their way to help. Lirra Vizcarra, a community empowerment facilitator by profession, understood the importance of communication during a time of crisis. To help ease the worry of some of her fellow sisters, Lirra went out of her way to buy prepaid load for from a nearby store for free.

“This time of crisis is heartbreaking for all of us, but in a small and simple act of kindness while in quarantine, made me feel the greatest love of the Savior for us,” she said.

Another Latter-day Saint, Dolores Recodig, made use of her quarantine pass by offering to buy groceries for a neighbor who doesn’t have one. It’s a simple gesture that can feed a family during the lockdown period.

Meanwhile, a sister from Lucena shared that during the lockdown, she prepared food for the security guards in their neighborhood. To practice social distancing, she told the guard to pick up the food.

In another town, Jink Preciosa and her husband shared turon, a sweet banana snack cooked in spring roll wrapper and caramel, with their neighbors. They also offered to help transport the missionaries from a nearby town who are scheduled for repatriation because there was no available means to travel to their convergent points.

Free Face Masks Handmade with Love

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Lovely Joy M. Ariate did not fail to respond to her call to serve in Babak, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.

Lovely, a 31-year-old public school teacher, sewn more than 100 face masks and has given them away to relatives, friends, neighbors, church mates, and coworkers.

She started the idea of sewing masks after searching online for masks that she could buy for her family but instead found a pattern that she could easily sew at home.

When asked why she gave them freely, Lovely explained that it’s a service of love. “At least I can help minimize the spreading of the virus in simple ways,” she said.

Through her sewing skills, which she developed at a young age, she was able to contribute to her community’s defense against the infectious disease. She also found a way to stay productive during class suspensions.

“By staying at home, you will realize that there is so much work to be done and this includes thinking of simple ways to help,” Lovely said. “At the end of the day, when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)

Today, she continues to sew more masks, with the help of her mother, to give away to people in need.

Free Online Class

Maz Elix-Antolin, a young mother and an artist in Quezon City, held a free basic watercolor painting online class through Facebook Live. At the end of the one-hour free session, over 100 viewers were able to paint watercolor fruits and made them into 'Get Well Soon' cards for COVID-19 patients admitted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City.

The cards will be printed and placed on the patients' breakfast trays in the hopes of brightening their spirits while they undergo treatments.

Repatriation of Foreign Missionaries

After the First Presidency made an announcement about the temporary adjustments on missionary service amid the COVID-19 threat, the Church made arrangements for more than 1,800 foreign missionaries assigned in the Philippines to go back to their home countries. 

To help in the movement of missionaries from different provinces in Luzon and Visayas, several Latter-day Saint women volunteered their time and resources to obtain the necessary border clearances. Many of them spent sleepless nights to monitor approvals and movement as well as negotiate for transportation options. 

In spite of the hurdles, their sacrifices were rewarded as missionaries were able to pass through provincial and city borders without issues and were able to arrive in Metro Manila where chartered planes were scheduled to fly them home. 

Although the tasks were arduous and almost impossible to accomplish, many of them expressed how grateful they were for being part of the team that helped the missionaries go home to their families during the time of crisis. 

About Relief Society

The Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the largest organizations for women globally. It’s for ages 18 and over, and its purpose is to provide support for the temporal and spiritual needs of all Latter-day Saint women as well as to others in need.