Jasmin Yiu
On September 5, the Claretians of Macau organized an activity to introduce Mother’s Meal, a project to aid the most needy in Macau. O Clarim had the opportunity to talk to Terry Kuok, one of the committee members of Mother’s Meal Macau, to explain more about its background and their expectations.
What is Mother’s Meal? Can you tell us more about this project, its background and its aim?
Mother’s Meal is an initiative of Fr George Kannanthanam, a Claretian priest in India. He realized many people in India are unemployed due to the pandemic, and they are unable to return to their hometown because of the lockdown. So, he initiated a project of distributing food to these unemployed, or other people who are most in need. We all know India is not a very wealthy country, and the pandemic has made the situation even worse. Fr George estimates that in his province alone, he has already distributed around 200 thousand packs of food. He is convinced that many people around the world are also deeply affected by the pandemic, so he officially launched and promoted the “Mother’s Meal” project on August 15. “Mother’s Meal – Macau” officially started on September 5.
Which other places or countries have started “Mother’s Meal”?
On August 15, Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Mother’s Meal was started in 55 regions in India, and gradually spread to other 65 countries and regions around the world. As far as I know, this project started in Nepal last month. This coming Saturday, October 24, it will start in Uganda, Africa as well. These are the places where the Claretian missionaries are serving.
Can you elaborate on the previous two gatherings of “Mother’s Meal – Macau”? The launching and also the second distribution?
The first meeting was on September 5, at the hall of Fatima Parish, over 100 participants, with Catholics and non-Catholics. Fr Jijo Kandamkulathy explained the whole project, and we also invited Fr George online, to briefly explain his idea as well as the latest updates nthe project.
The second meeting was on October 3, same venue, around 90 people attended.
In both activities, there were more or less 50 people receiving the meals, and some of them are workers from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Africa. They had lost their jobs and could not return to their own countries; also, a small number of them are Macau locals.
This project is tentatively pushing forward in Macau until August next year, and we will distribute meals once a month. More than distributing meals, the main idea is to distribute love and warmth, through prayers and actions.
Why is this project called “Mother’s Meal”? Is there a special meaning to it?
Fr George coined it in remembrance of his mother. Fr George recalled on September 5 that “my mother taught me since I was small that whenever I see someone who is poor, I should play the role of a ‘merciful and loving mother,’ trying my very best to help and to feed the poor, because a mother never permits her children to starve. With many people who are suffering from poverty during the pandemic, let us act like a mother, to feed the poor!”
You mentioned that this project welcomes the participation of non-Catholics. How are you planning to involve more non-Catholics in Macau to participate?
It took a short time to establish the project in Macau. Fr Jijo called three of us and introduced the project and intention, and we agreed to push forward in Macau for one year until August 2021. Since then, we started to contact suppliers and friends, and look for cheaper foods and places as well. We do have much plan on marketing, just spreading this through friends, and they have been quite supportive to the idea. With the current donations, we can distribute around 50 packs of food. It is a good start. Apart from this, we also received an amount to sponsor to set up Mother’s Meal in Uganda. This is also the idea of Fr George, to ask for more donations from relatively wealthy regions (or countries) to support another relatively poor region (or country); and Uganda is the country where Macau’s donation goes to.
Did you encounter any difficulties and challenges during the process of preparation?
Gratefully, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, no one hesitated. I remembered an elderly woman who wanted to donate or be a volunteer. Our greatest challenge is to find a suitable place to distribute the food, as a bridge to do evangelization. We sincerely hope there will be more parishes willing to lend us a place to do this meaningful and charitable work.
In May, Bishop Stephen Lee also issued a special message, “We cannot turn our eyes away from the pain of many.” This project has the same message, and Caritas or other organizations are also doing similar work. What makes “Mother’s Meal” special? Do you think it’s too late to push forward this project only now?
It’s never too late if you have a heart to do it. Charitable work is never too much, never. I think we can do more to help these people, and I believe there must be some who have slipped through the net. So, why can’t we be more generous? Even for some who have already received assistance, it does not mean they are really well-fed. What we have been distributing is not much actually. Our food package contains 5 kg of rice, 1 liter of oil, 10 packets of biscuits, that’s it… Not everyone would really desire to get more of these, but if they come and collect, it implies they really have the need.
Do you have any expectations? Or hoping this can be a channel for evangelization?
In our experience of meal distribution at Candle Light, we have volunteers read the Gospel, and I could see the people have changed a lot. Originally, they were very impatient and impolite, but they would take initiative to help and treat each other with courtesy after six months. Although they are non-Catholics, I believe the seed and the spirit of the Gospel has already entered their heart. Charity is to care for and talk to them, and there is love in it. I think this is the most important.
Throughout the whole project, what is the most memorable for you?
Thanks be to God! Through this project, God let me know His presence within us. Even when there is pandemic, causing frustration and worries among people, at the same time, God let me realize many people are also willing to “go out,” and help others who are in greatest need. From this, God allowed me to learn how to be more generous. I have my personal experience too. My domestic help knows I’m in charge of this project. She told me her friends were in difficulties, and I asked her to pack some leftovers for her friends. I believe every family can take a little step, which can already benefit others.
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