Indonesian Catholic Women (WKRI) of Atambua Diocese, East Nusa Tenggara Province, held a psychological recovery facilitator training for disaster victims at Emmaus Center Atambua.
The February 12-13 event is revenue for humanitarian care in the areas affected by the hurricane ‘Seroja’ last April 2021 in Malacca Regency and North Central Timor Regencies in East Nusa Tenggara Province.
The chairperson of the WKRI Atambua Diocese, Agustina Asa, explained the purpose of the two-day facilitator training.
"Support for facilitators is important to help children and adults who are directly affected by Cyclone Seroja," said Asa in her opening remarks.
She hopes that the facilitators give themselves entirely and work with their hearts in helping many people to overcome the burdens of life.
“The presence of the facilitators is a caring for humanity approach and hopefully, it brings blessings to many people we served,” she asserts.
Asa urged all to work together in serving others affectionately, she said, adding, “Let's work with our hearts and surely the results will be extraordinary. Many people we serve may feel God's goodness through our service and work.”
On the same occasion, Asa explained the WKRI organization, which puts forward the fundamental principles according to the Church's Social Teachings.
"Being involved in the WKRI means you must be ready and devote yourself, socially, and independently. The principle of solidarity and subsidiarity needs to be built because this is the spirit contained in the Church's Social Teachings," she described.
Her further affirmation is that every member must struggle to face hardships as God's disciples.
"Every member of WKRI must have a missionary spirit, build good attitudes, hope, and care in the ministry of church’s pastoral life," said Asa, who is also the principal at government-run Junior High School in Atambua.
Responding to the program, Divine Word Father Vincentius Wun, the spiritual director of the WKRI Atambua Diocese, was proud as the Catholic women in his diocese organized a humanitarian movement.
"Catholic Women of Atambua Diocese are a great asset as they had been directly involved in the empowerment and humanitarian movement. The disaster victims need recovery, physical, psychological, and spiritual," the priest said.
"The members of WKRI present and witness the face of the Church in the world through their work and service. This is one of Divine works. Carry out the mandate and command of Jesus. Serve those who are suffering," said the vicar general of Atambua Diocese.
The organizing committee, Elisabeth Botha, hoped this activity could help the facilitators animate and implement the program in post-disaster locations.
"When the program is implemented with the heart, everything will go according to what was planned. Together we can," she said optimistically.
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