Covid-19 Community Service

Ayuda sa Amsterdam (March 2020 – Dec 2020)

Total Distributed Aid

Distributed Grocery Food Vouchers

Distributed Food Packs

Persons Helped

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We identified two major issues

Financial Difficulties

Recognising the effect on commerce and employment

Following the advent of countries closing its borders and retricting people from leaving their own houses, the distruption on commerce and employment for many will be greatly affected.

With the limit on the number of people allowed in any places, fewer people will be allowed to work and fewer people will be given services. This will greatly affect commerce and soon will effect emploment of people. 

Mental Health (Loneliness)

Recognising the importance of mental health

When restaurants, bars, cinemas, museums and other social venues where people normally meet were forced to closed and people were forced to stay in doors, this could be very difficult for many of us.  The feeling of anxiety due to the fear on the continous increase of infections rates, concerns on their personal wellbeing or for their loveones, and the uncertainty what future will bring is a major concern for all of us.

We recognised the need to create an alternative way to communicate and or to stay connected.

We identified two most vulnerable sectors

Filipino LGBT irregular migrants in Europe

Recognising the plight of irregular migrants

We recognise that not all have stable and fix employment and there will be members of our community who will not qualify for government’s support or aid.

As an LGBT migrant organisation, we are very concern on the situation of all migrants particularly Filipino LGBT irregular migrants.

Senior/Elderly LGBTs in the Philippines

Recognising the plight of Golden Gays Manila

With the absence of national law that protects people againts discrimination based on their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression, many LGBTs families will not qualify for government’s support or aid. The absence of such law also sends a wrong message to its society that it is correct to treat people differently leaving some member of our community rejected or sometimes disowned even by their own family.

Golden Gays Manila was established in 1975 to welcome elderly LGBTs  to provide support and care facilities. Although the residents are all on their retirement age, they are still daily wage earners.

The enhanced community quarantine enforced in Metro Manila has resulted to our elderlies without a source of income for over months, making it difficult for them to cover their daily living expenses (e.g. food, utilities, medicine).

Background story

March 2020

Covid-19 declared pandemic, lockdown commenced in Europe

The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).  The disease was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020, and a pandemic in March 2020.

On 31 January 2020, Italy had its first confirmed cases. On 13 March 2020, the World Health Organisation considered Europe the active centre of the pandemic. Read more

Filipino LGBT Europe called for a Special Meeting to discuss the impact of the pandemic to Filipino LGBT community in Europe and the Philippines. 

The Special Meeting identified two major issues and two most vulnerable sectors that would be greatly affected by this pandemic. 

The group identified financial and mental health as forceable major challenge for the community where irregular migrants and elderly group would be the most vulnerably affected.

March 2020

Kendeng Day – LIVE Zumba Online Classes Launched

In line with our HIV Advocacy to Love Yourself by keeping yourself healthy and to combat loneliness and depression during lock down, Filipino LGBT Europe, in cooperation with Zumba Instructors Walter Labajo and John Brian Fuentes alternately holds FREE LIVE Zumba Online Classes every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays! They will be broadcasting live from Germany and The Netherlands!

Join us beat Corona Blues with LIVE ZUMBA! Lets stay in door but connected during lockdown!

April 2020

Free Legal Aid to Filipino LGBT frontlines in the UK

The Filipino LGBT Europe wants to recognize the efforts and contributions of our frontliners working in the United Kingdom. Frontliner’s heroism and bravery in these difficult times have helped thousands of people needing health care and attention. Unfortunately, hundreds of health workers are also at great risk in battling COVID-19. Many Filipino health workers have already lost their lives and a number of others are critically ill.  

The Filipino LGBT Europe understands that this is a matter of life and death, and therefore we would like to offer free legal consultation for last will and testament to our frontliners who are members of the LGBT community in the United Kingdom.

April 2020

Online BINGO Fundraising for vulnerable Filipino LGBTs in Europe and Home for Golden Gays in Manila

On 25 April 2020, Filipino LGBT Europe hosted an ONLINE BINGO Fundraising event to raise funds for vulnerable Filipino LGBTs in Europe and the Home of Golden Gays in Manila affected by Covid-19.

“This event was organised to create a venue for Filipino LGBTs in Europe to meet vitually during the Europe wide lockdown and to raised money to support the most vulnerable members of our community in Europe and the senior members of our community at the Home of Golden Gays in Manila.” Chris Sta Brigida chairperson of Filipino LGBT Europe said during the ONLINE BINGO live broadcast.

May 2020

Zumba Fundraising for Golden Gays Manila

On 2 May 2020, Filipino LGBT Europe, in cooperation with Zumba Instructors Walter Llabajo and  John Brian held an online Zumba Fundraising for the benefit of the Home for the Golden Gays or popularly known as ‘Golden Gays’, a Philippine non-profit organization established in 1975 that provides support and care facilities for elderly LGBTQIs. The organization houses around 40 active members mostly aged 60 and above, who are colloquially known as “Lolas” (Filipino for “grandmother”). 

June 2020

Filipino LGBT Europe sends LOVE to Golden Gays Manila

On 27 June 2020, Filipino LGBT Europe Liason Officer Aaron Calingacion met the residents of the Golden Gays Manila headed by Ramon Busa to deliver food packs and PhP 50,000.00 cash donations to be used to pay for rent, water and electricity bills for the coming months.

We would like to say Thank you very much once again to all who helped us raised funds during our ONLINE BINGO and ZUMBA Fundraising events held last months.

From Advocacy to Humanitarian Work

Weekly Food Aid Distribution in Amsterdam

May – July 2020

Partnership with FILCOM-NL

Filipino LGBT Europe joins FILCOM-NL to help the Filipino Community in the Netherlands

In May 2020, Filipino organisations based in the Netherlands joined force to provide aid to displaced Filipinos affected by covid-19 pandemic. An ad-hoc alliance organisation called FILCOM-NL was created and formed.

Chris Sta Brigida, chairperson of the Filipino LGBT Europe, represented the foundation in the alliance. Filipino LGBT Europe became an active member of the following committees: Advertising Committee (Facebook page management); Social Services Committee (providing telephone Counselling) and Distribution Committee (Distributing Ayuda in Amsterdam).

May & July 2020

Helped Philippine Embassy The Hague

Filipino LGBT Europe distribute aid of Philippine Embassy in Amsterdam

Philippine Embassy The Hague responded to give aid to displaced Filipinos in the Netherlands. Filipino LGBT Europe, working under the banner of FILCOM-NL, volunteered to distribute food aid packs prepared by the embassy personnel. The food packs was delivered by the embassy and distributed at the headquarters of the foundation in Amsterdam centre.

A total of 115 food packs were given by the Philippine Embassy for Filipinos residing in and near Amsterdam, first batch of 65 food packs were distributed on 17th May and another batch of 50 food packs were distributed on 7th July 2020.

 

July 2020

Distributes Food Packs and Grocery Food Vouchers from Red Cross Netherlands

Filipino LGBT Europe receives help from Red Cross Netherlands

Filipino LGBT Europe distributes food packs from Red Cross Netherlands for those who do not have access to government support or normal food bank.

Since July 2020, food packs and grocery food vouchers are distributed to displaced Filipinos in Amsterdam. Priority are given to irregular migrants who lost their jobs due to effects of lockdown caused by the pandemic.

October 2020

Sant’ Egidio opens its door for the community

Filipino LGBT Europe receives help from Sant’ Egidio Community

On Oct 2020, Moses and Aaron Church / Sant’ Egidio Community opens its doors and supports the community work of Filipino LGBT Europe – Food Aid Distribution program to displaced Filipinos in Amsterdam caused by effect of covid-19 pandemic.

From distributing Food Aid in front of Chris Sta Brigida’s house at Kloveniersburgwal in Amsterdam, food distribution moved inside the church in Waterlooplein in Amsterdam.

This moved was very vital to continue our work as rain and temperature started to drop. We normally have elderly persons and family with kids queing for help. 

 

October 2020

De Papegaai Catholic Community in Amsterdam

Filipino LGBT Europe receives help from De Papegaai Catholic Community

De Papegaai Catholic Community in Amsterdam starts collecting donations from its parishioners for the weekly food aid distribution.

Filipino LGBT Europe started to distribution non-perishable food like coffee, rice, sugar, canned food and other essential food items donated by the De Papegaai Catholic Community.

November 2020

Supports Second Chances PH

Free Tablets for under priviledge Students in the Philippines

Due to the threat of more covid infections, all university and schools have moved to online classes.  Not everyone has access to  computers or internet to continue their education.

Filipino LGBT Europe supported Second Chances PH project for under priviledge students in the Philippines by sponsoring one TABLET to be given to a young persistent trans girl student.

 

 

December 2020

Project Christmas Bigas Bonus

Filipino LGBT Europe gives away Rice Packs, AH Voucher, Grocery & Cake for Christmas and New Year 

Ayuda sa Amsterdam Team brings Christmas to those who are still in need of help due to the effects of covid-19 pandemic.

May this small gesture reminds and gives everyone some sense of HOME, FAMILY and COMMUNITY. ❤️

Thank you very much to all our Supporters & Volunteers

We will always remember the kindness, generosity and compassion you have extended to our community!

Without your help, we will not be able to achieve this:

Total Distributed Aid

Distributed Grocery Food Vouchers

Distributed Food Packs

Persons Helped

Note: The figures above are for assistance and aid for the year 2020.

Thank you very much to all for giving us trust

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