ANGELES CITY — Uplifting the queer spirits in rainbows of hope amid the Covid-19 crisis, holistic healing center Orissa Garden of Wellness extended its support for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community through a donation drive that started Monday.
The Covid-19 pandemic severed the livelihood of LGBT members particularly those who were laid off from the salons, beauty parlors and other businesses that were forced to close down.
Riza Lim, holistic health practitioner and owner of Orissa Garden of Wellness, sponsored the initiative to help this group.
“Whatever income I make, I save some funds for charity work. Now is the right time for us to help each other and work together to get through this pandemic,” Lim says.
Through the efforts of hair and make–up stylist Dan Sampaga, relief goods such as rice, eggs, longanisa, pancit canton packs, and fruits were distributed to less fortunate LGBT members from different barangays in this city.
“Yung kinontak ko na tatlong barangays, more than 300 na sila in Angeles City. We have 33 barangays here so kailangan pa natin magdagdag ng donors,” said Sampaga.
Being one of the most vulnerable sectors of the community that have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 crisis, Sampaga also calls for unity and solidarity among their members in the hair and makeup industry, salon business, and other livelihood services.
“Halos karamihan sa ating LGBT ay breadwinners, Yung mga gustong magpa-home service, pwede rin para may panggastos din sila araw-araw,” he said.
The donation drive for the LGBT community will continue with some 300 grocery packs set to be distributed Wednesday in other parts of this city.
