Impact of covid 19

How we have been helping – Education

During the lockdown, children were not allowed to visit our centres and missed out on their studies. This led to them missing out on education that is difficult to impart even during normal circumstances, as many of our children have commitments such as working part time, helping out at home. Many don’t enjoy the privilege of being helped by their parents either, so had lost touch with what they had learned even before the lockdown – our teachers had to restart the syllabus from 3 to 4 months before the children’s in-person education paused.

So, while many schools and education centres were able to take classes online, this was more difficult for us as several of our students did not have access to smart devices, the internet or data. But thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we were able to purchase tablets and data as well as organise small classes on a daily basis, under the supervision of an assistant (in person) and an online teacher, while taking all the necessary hygiene precautions. After each session, worksheets were sent and teachers kept detailed records of attendance, topics covered, individual progress and so on. We have support staff living locally who were able to assist and facilitate these classes.

Parents workshops

As the centers were closed for the children, we utilized this time by calling parents of our children for counselling sessions. We covered topics on family planning, the importance of education, health and hygiene, financial planning, and other important issues. It was an interactive session, where parents shared their daily struggles and challenges with teachers. We had always wanted to conduct these workshops but never got the chance while the children were coming but the lockdown presented us with a good opportunity to execute the same.

Our counselling session got a very good response as many families opened bank accounts, shared their problems with our teachers and started following their advice.

Medical Relief

The pandemic caused huge challenges for our families who were already living below the poverty line. They already struggled to feed and shelter the families and this was made even more difficult as jobs and homes were lost. Living day to day became almost impossible but getting medical aid had been completely cut off by the government as they accepted only COVID-19 patients leaving so many desperate and in some cases fighting for their lives alone. This left many venerable and easy targets for loan sharks and frauds who promise treatments and do not deliver.

Thanks to the help and support received from our kind sponsors we were able to identify and provide medical treatment for several needy cases and ensure that their treatment and care was carried out safely and professionally. Such cases include children with severe burns, dengue which can be potentially fatal, malaria, aids, at risk pregnancies and chronic conditions.

Currently, the medical assistance that we provide at Harmony House is case to case basis, although we provide aid and guidance wherever we can. We have a team of volunteer doctors who provide consultation, however treatments and tests are not always affordable.

There have been many cases which we have been able to assist but there are many more that need our help for which we need sponsors to support.

One our of our students, Aayush contracted Dengue fever and had to be admitted to the hospital because his platelet count was low. His father is one of the many who was unemployed due to the pandemic, and his mother (a Harmony House employee on paid leave) just gave birth to a baby girl. We were able to pay for Aayush’s hospital stay and thankfully, he is happy and healthy once again.

In addition to serious infections and chronic disorders, we saw a rise in cases of malnutrition and dental diseases as our children were unable to enjoy nutrition such as what they were receiving at Harmony House. We are also running low on stocks of much-needed multivitamins, deworming medicine and other day-do-day essentials.

Some cases that need immediate aid are

Rahul(12 years): He has a kidney dysfunction. He is on medicines. Every month he goes to the hospital for a check-up. He need support in monthly medicines and conveyance.

Per month: Rs. 4000/USD55/ GBP 40/AED203

Laxmi(15 years): She has a poor eyesight since birth as her cornea is damaged. There is no vision in right eye whereas the left eye can only see from short distance. She has been advised to take supplements, eye drops and some dietary recommendations.

Per month: Rs. 3000/USD 41/GBP 30/AED152

Hemlata (65 years old): grandmother of our student Abhishek (when he was 6 years old, his parents sent him and his younger brother to Gurgaon to live with his grandmother and aunt as they could not afford to take care of all 3 children) has severe pain in her legs, difficulty in walking, and numbness. Doctors have diagnosed her with Sciatica – a nerve issue. After some tests the doctor has prescribed medicines and advised her to have a healthy nutritious diet.

Per month: special diet and medicines: Per month: Rs. 4000/USD55/ GBP 40/AED203

Smriti: Mother of one of our student was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the lungs and stomach. She is on medication and needs support with a special diet.

Per month: Rs. 2000/ USD 27/ GBP 20/AED 101

Shivam: He is 6years old and his father is a truck driver. His mum doesn’t live with the family and he has 2 elder sisters(12years and 10years). We noticed a big wound on the back of his head and when asked his sister informed us that they were applying oil on it for it to heal since they didn’t have money to go to a doctor and pay for consultation and medication. Our team immediately sent him to the doctor as it was very deep, smelly and his hair was also coming out. He is now on antibiotics and he is much better.

Per month aid required: Rs. 3000/USD 41/GBP 30/AED152

Re-opening plan for Harmony House

After one year of partial closure and 12 long hard months for our children and their families, Harmony House has finally been given government permission to welcome all of our students back to our centres from grades 1-12 which is a huge relief for us all. Because of social distancing measure that need to be implemented, we will begin by rotating our children bringing 50% capacity to Harmony House in the morning and 50% in the afternoon. Despite the shorter hours for our children we are committed to providing them with the best standard of education, nutrition, medical services, vocational training and love and care. Hours outside of Harmony House will be supplemented with online learning and access to our community centre within their slum area.

As one of our centres underwent full closure during lockdown, we were racing against the clock to ensure that we reopen on time and that all of our facilities are safer than ever for our children. With the help  of our supporters we were able to refurbish, decorate, equip and fully stock this facility.

We also opened an early years department for our younger students (6 months to 6 years) as we anticipated that we would have the permission to open this within the next few months and it did so happen.

Our slum center was able to accommodate 150 students with the help of teachers and assistants. Meals were continued to being served.

• Rs. 3000/USD 41/ GBP 30/ AED 151 can get milk, a fruit and snack for 150 children
• Rs. 5000/ USD 68/ GBP 49/ AED 252 can get fruits for a week for 150 children

We werealso working on opening a special needs wing at Harmony House and were currently in talks with professionals who will guide us through this very meaningful long term project which will be life changing for so many. At that time we had identified 7 students to be enrolled and to get professional help and aid in any way we can. In May 2022 we opened our new wing Hope for our children with determination which is currently serving 12 children who have been showing great positive results.

For more details please write in to info@harmonyhouseindia.org

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