On the wake of coronavirus; by love compelled, the officers and soldiers of India South Western Territory came into the front line prepared to prepare the community to protect themselves and prevent the terrific epidemic Coronavirus. A team of volunteers of 1250 in number was informally formed from corps to THQ and got engaged in distributing face masks and pamphlets about Coronavirus, The Salvation Army stepped into the community followed by the meeting summoned by Colonel Nihal Hettiarachchi, Territorial Commander with cabinet Secretaries on 8th March 2020. Taking advantage of massive women gathering related to a festival in Thiruvananthapuram, we could give awareness about this pandemic and precautionary measure by serving leaflets. On the 9th of March 2020 onwards throughout Kerala, our presence was there at bus stations, railway stations, and other places where people gather by serving sanitizer, masks, and awareness posters and pamphlets. Initially, we could issue above 100,000 sanitizers and more than 6000 pamphlets and posters and 8000 masks. Adhere to the call of the territorial commander all our divisions and centers actively involved in carrying out it along with certain impressive interventions in local urgencies related to coronavirus.
With the support of Rapid response project from IHQ and zealous volunteering of officers and soldiers, the Salvation Army maintained it’s status of being first in sensitizing, supporting, and being with the community, particularly in the time of calamities and catastrophe. Our helping hands reached out to schools, colleges, police stations, hospitals, unattended ones, destitute and every nook and corners where suffering humanity long for, which we The Salvation Army only can serve without discrimination. We privileged to supply groceries kit and sanitizer to 12424 most needy families throughout the territory and supported with financial assistance to the officers for these months. Apart from this, we could support 200 families with grocery kit and sanitizer in response to the continuous request from the panchayat member, and realizing the vulnerability of the people of Karakulam and Peroorkada. It made us possible by the generous support of our soldiers.
It was a quite revitalizing experience for all Salvationist to concentrate upon the call given by the Territorial Commander to observe chain prayer. On 16th of March 2020, a meeting was summoned by the territorial commander for divisional commanders, in charge officers of hospitals and enquired about the programs and progress in our service to the community about Coronavirus. They were encouraged and guided to organize resources to sensitize and support the people against coronavirus. They did it well and were widely accepted and highly recognized. All divisions and institutions reached out to their respective communities with sanitizer, masks, posters, and pamphlets about coronavirus information and precautions to follow. And we could meet the community in their need for groceries too.
Our social media played a vital role to fill the gap and connecting the people. Along with the spiritual nourishment on a daily basis, with the initiation of Colonel Nihal Hettiarachchi, and the Salvation Army Mission Network team updated the information and guidance to the society Posters and other social media are also used at its maximum possible means with attractive captions and headlines. It has widely shared and many groups joined in to spread the messages. And also ISWT finds space in leading local newspapers to communicate with the people. To provide spiritual and psychological care, the media steered by Mr. Shalu. S. Babu under the guidance of the territorial commander played a significant role.
With the installation of handwashing facility for the general public beside the road in front of the territorial headquarters, facilitated and encouraged all our divisions and institutions to follow the same, and the territory set an example to others because the Salvation Army was the first organization extended this facility to the general public. Through the circulars and social media, the territorial commander had been passed updated information and guidelines from various sources like UN, health department of central and state governments to the soldiers.
As the migrant laborers are most vulnerable with the lockdown, we begin to serve cooked food to them in Trivandrum city with the consent of corporation authority and the police department. Initially, we served 350 lunches. This was even before the government open community kitchens. The number has gone up to 520 lunches per day and up to Kazhakuttam, 15 km. away from Trivandrum. This continued 30 days and served 14170 lunches by the THQ team alone. Many of the divisions and corps also served the nearby community the same way.
To alleviate psychological trauma and excessive stress, territory launched various online media activities. As a part of it, the territory conducted competitions for youth (Primary, junior and senior) Painting, drawing, singing, and instrumental music. And also singing program for senior soldiers too. It became a grand event with the massive participation of all age groups and made a tremendous impact. Territorial youth department facilitated this program.
Lieutenant Kiran P. Jose, one of our officers served with the government as a counselor with Disha.
To serve cooked food to migrant laborers and destitute, the police department joined with us hand in hand.
The health services department also joined with us in supplying food packets to the needy.
The district administration and local government authorities also supported our mission by giving legal consents and guidance.
