United Way of Baroda: Mission Shiksha – A beacon of light for the bereaved children for continuing their School Education

United Way of Baroda launched the “Mission Shiksha” program on 4th May 2021 to support the School Education of those children who have lost one or both of their parents during this COVID-19 pandemic (post March 2020) till June 2021 hailing from 6 Districts of Gujarat (Vadodara, Anand, Panchmahal, Bharuch, Narmada, and Chhota Udepur).

Covid has wrecked thousands of families across India. During second wave, cases of Children losing their parents to covid -10 mounted high. The cases who lost their both parents and have no one to look after them, others are in a situation where a single surviving parent is unable to take care of them financially and psychologically.

This was mainly from low-income and middle-income families to survive in this situation wherein the priority was to be focused more on survival compared to continue the school education of their children.

Hence, the children of those families are at a very vulnerable point in their lives. A latest study states that more than a million children around the world have lost a parent to Covid-19, and a total of 1.5 million have lost either a parent, a grandparent who helped care for them or some other relative responsible for their care.

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In the span of just 15 days of launch of program, UWB received more than 300 applications of students who lost their one or both parents. The cases included people such as auto-rickshaw/van drivers, street vendors (hawkers), tailor, small shop owners, labor contractors, farmers, schoolteachers, wage laborers, LIC agent, delivery boys, Mechanic, working in small companies, advocate, chefs, accountant, postmaster, etc. who passed away in covid leaving their family helpless. This has led to tremendous emotional, financial, and societal pressures which have taken a toll on the well-being of the spouse as well as their loved ones.

This Program is supporting those families who are financially weaker and ensure the continuity of school education of these children without worrying about the increased financial burden for at least 2 years by paying their School/Tuition Fees, Education Kits along with ration kits to the extremely needy families who are not able to meet their daily requirement.

A swift verification process was led down to verify the applications received under the program. It was astonished to found that out of 342 applications, 93% of children had lost their father who being the sole breadwinner and where in the age group between (24-38years). Further their spouse was not able to cope up with sudden emotional and financial loss and social wellbeing of their children. More than 60% of mothers were housewife which led a lot of pressure for earning for livelihood in this situation and were facing difficulties in continuing their children’s education in existing schools.

In the very beginning of this program, 110-200 applications were targeted but it was astounding to see a sudden shoot up in the number of applications received. Total 461 applications were received from 155 schools out of which 342 applications were found eligible out of the criteria set under this program. The school fees range from INR 7200 – 84,000. Up till now, School fees of 161 students amounting 30.24 lakhs have already been released.

Shivinder Singh Chawla, Vice Chairman of United Way of Baroda shared that the project will support all the eligible students (340+) for their school fees amounting tentatively 70-75 Lakhs which will be supported by UWB Board and committee’s members. He also added that each child will be provided a complete education kit for their academic year also.

Dr. Binita Verdia CEO of UWB shared that there is a need of emotional as well as economic support to the surviving spouse for continuing her child’/s education and provide a livelihood opportunity to sustain her family. UWB is working towards such programs.

Few are the cases of the program. Name changed to maintain their anonymity.

Adit Chauhan a 6th standard student at Sardar Vallabbhai Patel Vidhyalay lives in a chawl in Vadodara. His father used to run lining works and a DJ studio which helped him to earn 12,000rs monthly but he passed away in COVID-19 and shocked the entire family. Due to family pressure, Adit’s mother cannot go out to work to manage the expenses of the family.

Devesh Patil is studying in 3rd Standard from C.K Prajapati High School, her father was an Auto driver and lost his life in this pandemic, he was earning 12 to 15 thousand per month but after his death, they were left with no means of income source hence mother opted for Domestic work in nearby Households. Maternal Family is helping them in terms of groceries.

Riddhi and Mansh Katwala, residents of Baroda, lost both their parents at a very small age. Her father expired due to COVID on 1st May and her mother met with an accident and expired. Riddhi is studying in 4th std and Mansh is in 1st std. Their uncle took the responsibility of becoming a guardian. Their uncle also has two daughters, so it is difficult for him to manage four children’s expenses with household expenses. His uncle has a small wooden shop.

Laksh Soni studying in 2nd grade in an English medium school lost his father and grandparents in a short time of 1 month later also lost maternal grandparents leaving no one in the family except mother who was a housewife. It was a sudden emotional shock to the mother and as a result she applied for the Mission Shiksha which resulted a boon to both of them in terms of continuing the education of Laksh as well as ration kit for the family for 6 months from the program.

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