A German psychologist and humanistic philosopher, in the person of Erich Fromm, once said that “Not he who has much is rich but he who gives much.” True enough, at a time when everyone of us is faced with this seemingly insurmountable crisis, we take hope and inspiration on accounts of people who have given so much of themselves and of their services for our nation. Among those of whom we can draw such great inspiration is our featured cooperative from Taguig City, the SIMBAYANAN NI MARIA MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE, who have painstakingly and selflessly dedicated their services for the good of their members and the community as well amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The cooperative through its various efforts and programs has extended to their members their much needed support and assistance and has also reached out to the most vulnerable sector of our society, the poorest of the poor. Programs such as continuous operations to cater to the services needed by the members during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), donation of One Hundred Thousand Pesos to Caritas Manila for the purchase of LIGTAS Covid-19 kits and MANA food bags for around 5,000 to 10,000 beneficiaries affected by Covid-19, assisting Caritas Manila in its relief operation to Taguig City’s 10,400 poorest and/or indigent families, lobbying with the LGU for the coop to continually operate and serve their members during the ECQ, poster/card making contest for the Simbayanan Children and Youth Laboratory Cooperative to show support to our frontliners and patients fighting against COVID-19, and distribution of 5-kilo packs of rice to about 3,104 members are just some of the many initiatives the coop has tirelessly undertaken. Below is the detailed report of the cooperative of how it continually responds to the call of the times to ensure that their members and non-member beneficiaries would be able to rise above the adversities and cope amid the crisis. May we all be inspired and challenged to also help our brethren in whatever way we can as we emulate the example set to us by this cooperative. Together and with God’s help, we will heal as one. – FMC
#CoopsAgainstCovid-19
