FOOD AID FOR INDIAN FAMILIES IN CRISIS

COVID cases in OSCAR communities and across India are decreasing and many of us are rebuilding our lives, but the impact on the poorest families continues. Many parents have lost their employment and any meagre savings have been used up. Simply paying rent and feeding their families is incredibly difficult.

OSCAR continues to offer a monthly dry ration to the most vulnerable thanks to the generosity of GlobalGiving supporters.

Johan (15) resides in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. He is a bright student, speaks good English and has the desire to learn. He loves football and attends OSCAR football and life skill sessions regularly. He has learnt the importance of health and hygiene, improved his decision-making and of course improved his football skills from the sessions.

He has three family members, a sister, mother, and himself. His father passed away last year due to COVID. He was the only earning member in his family and it was quite challenging for the family to survive. His sister is studying in the 9th class and his mother works as a housemaid. She works in multiple houses so that she can give her children a good education and the opportunity to improve their life chances. Thank you to the GlobalGiving community for sticking with us through thick and thin. 

COVID cases in OSCAR communities and across India are decreasing but the recovery of the people will be very slow. Many parents lost their livelihood and the impact on the economy has made finding work very tough. 

Some people are unable to feed their families. For many, no income means no food. With the support of GlobalGiving supporters, OSCAR continues to provide a dry ration every month to the most vulnerable.

Rupa (22) lives in an impoverished community in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. For many years, her mother, a gardener, was the sole breadwinner of the family of five.

Rupa attended OSCAR football and life skills sessions for 6 years where she developed an interest in athletics. Finishing third in a race organized by her college motivated her to explore the world of sport.

“When I started participating in physical activities, I didn’t know what to do. I did not have shoes and would turn up barefoot to play and run.”

She later learned that shoes help prevent injuries and was given a pair by OSCAR, which she proudly wore to win a tournament. Encouragement from peers and coaches made her play with more confidence and clarity. It also helped her off the pitch, she soon took an interest in computers, enrolling in courses in OSCAR’s Digital Learning Centres.

Due to financial difficulties and unable to pay for local transportation Rupa walked and ran long distances. She turned this into a positive seeing it as an opportunity to get fit. After a few local competitions, she participated in the 10k category at the TATA Mumbai Marathon, recording a record time. It was a proud moment for the OSCAR family.

Rupa always dreamt of being a police officer and is proud to have begun her journey as a home guard to help with COVID-19 relief efforts in Mumbai. By taking small steps toward her dream, she hopes she will end financial uncertainty and ensure a better life for her mother and siblings.