COVID Relief and Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Households in Urban Slums of UP

For the current year 2020-2021, while enrolments were being finalised, due to lockdown and widespread fear of Corona virus, classes remain suspended this summer. In early May 10-12 cases of corona virus were also reported in Farrukhabad and the area is expected to see further strengthening of lockdown. Our classrooms (Gyan Shala) in the Farrukhabad regions of UP are located in the most marginalised bastis/ urban slums in the district. Approximately 70% of parents of the students enrolled in our program are involved in Zardozi / Zari work. Other 30% are involved in daily wage labor work in trades e.g. construction, cold storage, shops and vending, rickshaw pulling including e-rickshaws. As economic activities remain suspended and will take time to pick up, families are struggling to meet their daily survival needs despite support from government and in certain cases by communities near by. Paltry savings have been exhausted and survival is becoming a key issue. Urgent need is to support these children and their families to sustain and survive these multiple lockdowns. Especially since children are exposed to risk of malnourishment and hunger during these times, which will further affect their association with and access to quality education post COVID. Debts are already increasing and families have already started selling few assets they have, to survive. 

Over the next 100 days, E&H Foundation will provide relief to these distressed families for situations emerging out of COVID 19 pandemic in Farrukhabad town. Target communities are approximately 3000 vulnerable families of children studying in our classes in over 40 urban slums in Farrukhabad. The Foundation will provide awareness on COVID mitigation, provide relief of key essential items in the form of food kits and provide support to families to dealing with COVID in an effective manner. The foundation will further assist these families over the coming months with accessing government schemes, jobs and getting back on their feet. E&H Foundation will implement the project in partnership with our field partner, Education support Organization (ESO), also called Gyan Shala because of the successful education model they have promoted. The Foundation will provide relief to these families twice in the period of 100 days. Each food kit packet is for Rs 1,000/-

E&H Foundation's trustees and advisory members are committed to 100% matching entire project amount to reach 3,000 families at scale immediately.

*Each of the food kit will have following items 10 kg Atta, 5 kg Rice, 2 Kg pulses, 1 litre cooking oil, 1 kg, salt, turmeric, soaps and masks and will cost Rs. 1,000 per packet including packaging, transportation and logistics.

This 100-day initiative to support the 3000 families at bottom of the pyramid population, whose children need to come back to learning w.e.f Sept 1, 2020, need support to sustain their livelihoods in the absence of daily wages and work. Sustaining these families through these tough times will ensure that these children stay nutritious, healthy and engaged and manage to come back to learning when we re-open classes while their family members get back to their jobs/work in the coming months.