Due to the current lockdown in the country, most of the middle class and upper-middle-class citizens of the country have their concerns restricted to the grocery stock in their kitchens, other perishable essential goods lying in their fridge, balance in their bank account and how to pay the EMIs & credit card bills. But this lockdown has worst affected the lives of the most financially vulnerable class across the country: migrant labours, daily wagers, rickshaw pullers, waste pickers, etc. Their efforts for mere survival are much more difficult than one could even imagine. A common feeling expressed by these poor people is “Hunger will kill us before the coronavirus”.
In such a situation, the Centre and the state governments are doing their level best to help and support these citizens, but governments have their own limitations. Many NGOs are working day & night to support these marginalized citizens. These NGOs are requesting a donation from the fortunate class of the country and providing essentials like food and medicines to the needy ones.
A Champaran based NGO from Bihar, the Champaran Foundation has been working to provide essential food items to most needy people during this difficult time. They started raising funds after an appeal to donate on their Facebook page, and they have managed to collect some amount. Taking benefit of the digital age, they have used the social media platform to raise funds and to provide help to the most marginalized people. Daily there are requests coming in to help the poor and stranded people. The Champaran Foundation contacts them and tries to help most of them with the support of their volunteer network spread across the country. Champaran Foundation has till now, helped 34 groups of 171 persons in cities like Gurugram, Manesar, Guwahati, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pen (Maharastra) and Ahmedabad etc. Champaran Foundation has been providing the rations that can sustain a family of four for about seven to ten days. They are not just taking care of basic food items, but also soaps for cleanliness.
Champaran Foundation believes in not waiting for the right time to start, but to do the right thing always and change the time.
