Inspired by bayanihan at home, Filipinos help locals set up community pantry in Timor-Leste

Inspired by the "bayanihan spirit" shown by their kabayayans at home, Filipinos in Timor-Leste helped locals set up their own community pantry.

In a Facebook post, Laser Sumagaysay, Vice Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Dili, Timor-Leste, shared photos of Bairro Farol's Community Pantry.

The project is organized by both the Filipino and Timorese communities with the help of Vice Consul Pedro Laranjeira of the Timorese Embassy in Manila.

"I shared the bayanihan and community pantry concepts to Timorese friends and colleagues as a way to possibly help the Timorese community," Sumagaysay told GMA News Online.

READ: Here's a growing list of community pantries that have popped up to help those in need amid COVID-19

On his Facebook post, he said he was pushed to help due to the "local economic effect" of the recent flooding in Dili and the pandemic.

He added that while official aid operations in Timor-Leste focus on the Filipino community, Pinoys can still "contribute to the overall humanitarian effort of the host country."

"It could simply be by introducing beneficial [Filipino] practices, values, or concepts in the hopes that it could be replicated, adopted, or improved by the local community," he said.

The pantry is now open for everyone especially the "Timorese in need."

For those interested to help, any in-kind and cash donations are welcome. Timorese locals may contact Rozilia dos Reis while Filipinos residing in the Philippines or Dili may reach out to Sumagaysay.

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News