BHUJ (Gujarat): SOS Children’s Villages of India in collaboration with Wagh Bakri Foundation distributed personal health and hygiene kits in Maldhari vas, Bhuj district of Gujarat, under their Family Strengthening Programme that intervenes in underserved communities for securing quality care of their children and preventing them from abandonment by building their capacity for income generation and parenting.

Parag Desai, Executive Director, Wagh Bakri Tea Group, added, “What SOS Children’s Villages is doing is phenomenal. The team has been making a real impact and that’s commendable. It brings the quote “if you educate a child, you educate a nation” to life. The thought behind building a home and creating a village is challenging as well as gratifying and I am sure it is a result of a dedicated team who is equally passionate. Humbled to be a part of this drive and look forward to more such collaborations.”

The distribution was done with an intent to protect the community from COVID-19, and to raise the awareness about personal health hygiene. Over 600 families were given these kits. The kit consists of – Sanitizer, Soap, Masks, Sanitary pads & Immunity Booster – Amla juice, which they can use for the entire month.

The esteemed guests who were present to grace the occasion included Kishor Shekha, Programme Manager and I/C Project, National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and Apex Patel, Manager, NULM, M. V. Mahesh, Village Director, SOS Children’s Village Bhuj, and Pradeep Kumar Jarwal, OSD HR, National Office among others.

Sumanta Kar, Secretary General, SOS Children’s Villages of India said “COVID-19 pandemic has affected the country in terms of scale, speed of spread and impact, and as a measure of response, SOS Children’s Villages of India has developed different strategies to cater to this acute health and humanitarian crisis among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, their families and communities. Safety and security of children under our care is paramount to us and especially during this pandemic it is even more relevant.”

“Our primary focus is to empower and support the vulnerable communities including the beneficiaries of the Family Strengthening Programme run by SOS Children’s Villages of India through these challenging times. We are pleased and grateful that Wagh Bakri Foundation has extended their support by sponsoring one month’s Medical & Hygiene kit to over 600 families. The hygiene kits will help our children to be safe at this difficult time.”, said Kar.

During the distribution ceremony, the sensitization about taking COVID-19 precautions was also done and awareness regarding the available government welfare schemes for helping the needy was also spread so that the community members can avail the benefits under these schemes.