In India we too are aware of the present crisis due to Covid – 19. So we reached out to those who were without food for many days.
Here the worst affected are those who had a hand to mouth existence. They depended on their daily wage as their only source of income,as they worked either in an organized or unorganized sector. Now that all the industries and factories are shut down and all the markets are closed too, they have nowhere to go to earn their daily bread for themselves and their families. Each citizen in our country has been advised by the government to keep all the instructions they have given us in order to keep safe in this time of lock down. Therefore I sent a message to all my communities, ”to ensure that no one dies of hunger in your area” Accordingly all the sisters found their own ways of reaching out to the needy. They received the support of their staff to identify the areas where help was needed.
Then we approached the civil administration to get the necessary permission and also the support from the police in order to distribute the food in a peaceful manner. The items we distribute are provisions such as rice, atta, pulses, vegetables, beaten rice, jaggery, cooking oil, biscuits, soap etc. The areas we have given help to are those who are the most affected, those who are the most vulnerable in our society – they are the Mahadalits especially of Musahars, transgenders, nomads, gypsies, widows and the disabled who have no ration cards and no one in society who cares about them. These families, many of whom we know, are stranded in different cities of India (Mumbai, Surat, Kolkotta, Chennai, Delhi and the cities in Kerala too) in the wake of the lockdown.
Sr. Ancy from Gulni ( Nawada district) wrote, “I felt sorry and distressed by the plight of the elderly people left alone in their villages because the bread winner of the family has been stranded elsewhere. “How will I survive this crisis? What will my life be like now ?” I saw in their faces and then I watched their expressions change to a radiant joy when they received the provisions we had brought them. This strengthened my desire to continue to do what I can and then the rest will be done by the resurrected Lord. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.”
Up till now we have reached out to four districts in Bihar namely Patna, Buxar, Bhojpur and Nawada. We have been able to help more than 2000 families. We are grateful to each of one of you who has generously supported us so that we were able to help these families. May our little efforts bring peace, harmony and a ray of hope to the most needy brothers and sisters in our society.
Sr. Kiran CJ,
Provincial Superior, Patna
Our response to the COVID-19 lockdown victims
| Areas Covered | Villages covered | Food items | Number of families covered | Categories of people covered |
| Buxar District | Nai Bazar-behind FCI godown, Khilapathpur, Kusurpa, Chousa, Jamauli, Kaitarkala, Itarhi | Rice, Dal, Atta, Cooking oil, Chuda, Gud, Biscuits, Salt, Potatoes, Soya and Soaps | 500 | Nomads, gypsies, Musahers, slum dwellers, differently abled, elderly, widows, families without ration cards Irrespective of castes and creed |
| Dumraon | Naya Bhojpur Amsari | “”””” | 500 | Nomads, Musahers Widows |
| Bhojpur District | Shapur, Rudra Nagar and Shapurpatti | “””” | 110 | Musahers Dalits |
| Nawada District | Gulni, Kawakol and Pakarivarma | “”””” | 400 | Most vulnerable people- elderly, differently abled, Musahers, families without ration card |
| Patna District Fatua | Jethuli | “””” | 110 | Bricklin workers, Slum dwellers and widows |
| Patna Digha Packed the Food items In collaboration with Jesuit Fathers | Canal Road- Digha, Raja Bazar, Asiana Mode | “”””” | 1164 | Muzahers, Dalits, Families without ration cards & The Transgender community |
| Patna Bankipur | NIT (after PMCH), Slums near the Collectorate | “”””” | 450 | Slum dwellers |
Total number of Families covered: 3234
