We had a wonderful Zoom session with Todd and Patsy on Saturday 18th July, when they talked about their ministry, the Diocese of Toliara, the impact of COVID19 in Madagascar, and how people can support the work in Toliara.
If you weren’t able to participate in the call, it was recorded and you can watch it at your convenience by clicking here.
Key points from the call were:
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COVID 19 has increased in Toliara. There are now 30 confirmed cases in Toliara since Monday.
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The government has imposed stricter regulations similar to those in the capital.
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All churches and schools (including students studying for national exam) throughout the country have now been closed.
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All shops and markets close at 3 pm, and a curfew is now enforced.
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No one is allowed to leave the regions even for funerals. So Bishop Samy was not able to be present for his mother’s funeral, and her body was not able to be interred in the family tomb but was put in a different one. Rev. Adam and his family have not been able to return to England following his father’s sudden death.
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The office staff will be working sporadically in the Diocesan offices now except for those who live on the compound.
- There are eight family units and 2 building projects at the Cathedral complex. Social distancing is maintained and masks are worn. A temperature gun has just been acquired and temperatures will be taken daily for everyone on or entering the compound. There is a hand washing station at both gates.
- Travel within the country is limited, so Bishop Todd has now spent the longest time continually at home in the Gathering Place!
- The Malagasy are scared of this virus and taking it very seriously.
- Schools are closed, including the 2 Diocesan schools, but funds are still needed to pay the teachers at those schools.
- Todd and Patsy talked about their own personal reactions to the situation.
- There are problems getting food to the South because drivers won’t deliver food without being accompanied by the military. Rice had doubled in price at one point. There continues to be ongoing famine caused by drought in the areas around Ambovombe, Tsihombe, Belohad and Ampanihy.
- Donations are made by the Malagasy in cash to fund churches when services are held, but not when there are no meetings there is no income to keep the Church running.
- The Diocese is developing liturgy to enable families within their homes and possibly with close neighbours to meet and pray 3-4 times a week, even if services can’t be held.
- The Women’s Center has partnered with Base Toliara to make 45,000 masks.