Fish feed faithful in El Salvador - 28th August 2020

An inventive priest in El Salvador developed a bible-inspired way to improve access to food during lockdown.

A priest in Santa Ana, Moises Rutilio Moran, began by collecting supplies to help thousands of Salvadorans who were struggling to find fresh food.

However, he very quickly ran out of funds to pay for electricity, water and other essentials needed to operate his church.

Determined that the church wouldn't be a burden on the community, Moran and his staff set about digging a pond. They started farming and selling tilapia fish to the local community.

Moran: "The project was born from the need to earn an income that we were no longer receiving because people can't come to the church, and the fact that churches are closed, and with the goal of supporting the church."

While many priests have been forced to make staff redundant, Moran's new business has meant he's even recruited extra staff.

Although the new work is rewarding, Moran wishes the church could reopen. He's called to minister to his parishioners at this time of crisis.