Benguela – The general secretary of the Evangelical Congregational Church in Angola (IECA), André Cangovi Eurico, on Wednesday in Benguela called on the business sector to promote initiatives that contribute to combating poverty in the country.
Reverend André Cangovi Eurico was speaking during the launch of the Food Recovery Program, an initiative by Grupo Carrinho, which aims to distribute food close to its expiration date to vulnerable communities in the provinces of Benguela, Huambo and Bié.
For the secretary general of IECA, combating poverty should not only be a responsibility of the Government, but of all State institutions, including business and civil society.
The religious leader, thanking the company Carrinho for the gesture on behalf of the beneficiary communities, launched the challenge for other companies to also participate in this process across the country, in order to combat hunger and poverty.
“I think this is a commendable initiative that should be pursued”, he said, admitting that the program now launched agrees with one of the lines of IECA's strategic plan, which is to support communities, especially the most vulnerable.
Likewise, he considers the launch of the “Food Recovery Program” as the assumption of national responsibility, particularly by the business community in the face of the social difficulties that communities are experiencing, due to the increase in the cost of living.
“As Jesus Christ said: give these people something to eat (…)”, he recalled, stating that the IECA and other religious denominations embraced this cause, because the country’s development requires the participation of all citizens.
Feed bank
At a time when the Church controls many people in vulnerable situations, the general secretary of IECA says the creation of a food bank in each community served is in the works, to help needy families.
“The people who come to give their offerings, from time to time, bring a kg of sugar, to help those families who really have no means, especially the elderly and children who go to the garbage places to find some food”, he said. .
As I said, the Church thinks about these children and is instructing all its communities in the 18 provinces of the country that they must feel this responsibility to promote solidarity with those people who suffer most. JH/CRB/DOJ
