In a bid to take care of children from marginalised communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, a trust has been feeding 150 of them in Vellore district. They are left alone at home as schools are closed and their parents go in search of work.
They have also been conducting academic activities to keep them engaged.
The Hope House is a non-governmental organisation working for children in need of care and protection since 2005. They run government recognised homes to provide institutional care for children.
“We also provide non-institutional care. Last year, we started identifying underprivileged families with children struggling for food as their parents are unemployed. As schools are closed, they are unable to benefit from the Noon Meal Scheme,” said Ruby Nakka, director of the NGO and a physiotherapist.
They feed 150 children in four parts of Vellore — near the Karigiri Hospital, Suryakulam, Sugar Mill and a Rajasthani community in front of VIT. “We ensure they are given food at least once a day,” said N. Subramani, home superintendent of the NGO.
“We teach basic alphabets and numbers, Thirukural , arts, crafts and music. However, during the recent complete lockdown, we could not do so as there were strict travel restrictions. But we will resume soon and will continue doing it till schools reopen,” Mr. Nakka said.
Dhara Singh, from Rajasthan, whose eight-year-old child is being provided food by the trust, said it was a very helpful move.
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