A response to covid-19 from Cmi Germany
Since 2015, CMI Germany has been involved in sending interprovincial volunteers all over the Marist world, with the sponsorship of the German National Volunteer Service.
Even during the Pandemic, Cmi Germany developed and promoted the initiatives that are described in this testimony. Among these, sewing masks, organizing meetings between households as soon as it became possible and sensitization about racism promoting a theme week.
Covid-19 challenges us, and Corona pushes us to re-orient ourselves.
March 2020: Sewing masks
Volunteers and Cmi-staff were sewing masks at home. Some masks were given to the local senior home as a practical help- others were sold for a donation. The earned money was transferred to the Project Marist Mercy Care, Place of Mercy and Hope, Addo, South Africa to support providing necessary food parcel for children and their families.
Marist Mercy Care is one of our wonderful places, were German Cmi Volunteers are welcomed since years and guided with caring love. Knowing from Lea, the last volunteer in Addo about the needs of the people and “Covid-19 response” of Addo, many of the past volunteers, but also new candidates, were involved in sewing masks.
June 2020: MarisTisch – #2householdchallenges – an initiative against social distancing
Cmi organized a so called #2houshold challenge. At this time, two households could meet again in Germany. Jasmin invited all known Marists in Mindelheim to participate in this idea. At the end Two were always drawn to meet each other. Some Marists meet in presence, some in Zoom because of the geographical distance.
July 2020: Racism Theme Week
Jasmin motivated a group of young people to organize a week about racism. Starting with a prayer on Sunday the anti-racism week was from 5th July until Friday 11th July. Context of the week were presentations on the topic racism. Proposal of films, two online presentations, literature, artists, challenge #runagainstracism, local Movie evening with the film “Green Book”.
You can see details about that initiative in https://cmi-maristen.de/