They are kids, rescued from abusive homes, criminal parents, or abject poverty. Abandoned at birth or as infants in trash cans or on pavements, they are now living a secure life. COVID-19 and the imposition of the lockdown has sent most of the kids back home – to abuse, violence or poverty.
They are kids, rescued from abusive homes, criminal parents, or abject poverty. Abandoned at birth or as infants in trash cans or on pavements, they are now living a secure life. The children live, study and grow up in Government-run homes and private orphanages - their safe shelter.
But COVID-19 and the imposition of the lockdown has sent most of the kids back home – to abuse, violence or poverty.
Even before the announcement of the lockdown, officials informed the homes to prepare, in case of a rapid spread. They were asked to reduce the number of occupants to the smallest number possible. An official order to this extent followed a couple of days later.
Almost 80 out of the 90 boys from Don Bosco Anbu Illam were sent home. Home here meant a place where they could be kept – by a parent, guardian or someone who admitted the boy in the Illam. The 10 who were not sent home did not have even a single parent, a guardian or was a rescued child whose parents could not be traced.
Fr. Albert Yesudas, Assistant Director of the Illam, says he had no choice but to send back the boys. “We had to send them back to what they ran away from. But we have assured them that once things get back to normal, they can return,” he adds.
The Illam is locked down, and the staff who take care of the remaining boys, live on the premises.
Coimbatore Seva Nilayam did not wait for the official order. Efforts to get in touch with a parent or guardian or a responsible relative began three weeks before the imposition of the lockdown.
Jayashree Ravi, secretary of the Nilayam, says that it was not easy to contact those related to the 150 girls. “The staff telephoned each relative, explained the situation and how it could escalate. We knew it was not easy for them to drop everything and come and take the children home. But the fact that we started the work early helped them to take some time off to travel from wherever they were to come and pick up the children”. Most of the parents and guardians were convinced to take them for their safety.
Now there are 25 occupants – from three to 22 years – staying at the Nilayam. They could not go home because there was no one whom they could stay with.
Jayashree is relieved that the number is small because it means all the activities can be managed by the girls and the limited staff who live in. With the supplies stocked up, there is no movement in or out of the campus. The girls are kept engaged throughout so that they do not develop negative thoughts. From bhajan singing, yoga, mask making, to try their hand at a new dish, they spend their time productively.
The premises is frequently sanitised. Occupants have been briefed on the various measures associated with the prevention of the virus. Regular hand washing is enforced.
The situation in Saranalayam in Kinathukadavu is different from the earlier two cases. Out of the 130 boys and girls, only three have been able to go home. “Most of them are orphans or abandoned. Even the parents and guardians of the other children didn’t want to come and take them,” says its Founder Vanitha Rengaraj. She had reached out to them on receipt of the order.
With such a huge number, it is a challenge to feed them and also keep them safe during the lockdown period. Staff are not allowed to come from their homes. Hence, the staff who live on the premises work in shifts to cook and take care of the children.
“Every single thing has become difficult for us. Buying provisions and vegetables is a huge task. Donors, giving cash or sponsoring a meal for the children, are not forthcoming in this situation,” Vanitha says.
Despite this, she is happy children did not have to go to abusive parents or homes where they will not get a square meal. Though she is sad that the children have to forego their annual summer trip this year.
“We have created awareness about the infection. My daughter takes a hygiene class every evening. We also make them watch the COVID-19 instructions that appear on the television. We will get through this,” she says.
That she gets calls to rescue abandoned infants even in the midst of this, only makes her resolve firmer.