Work during Covid Pandemic
Sakhi Kendra, a non-governmental organization, distributed financial aid to 542 individuals according to their respective situation during the covid lockdown period. Out of these, 45 individuals (including some with disabilities) utilized the aid money to initiate their own livelihood. Furthermore, 12 individuals who were in a critical state on hospital beds were able to recuperate after receiving the aid. Moreover, 4 children who had become orphans due to the covid outbreak were also provided with support and care by Sakhi Kendra
Livelihhood Initiators
Anita used to work as a florist in a factory along with her husband. However, during the lockdown, they both lost their jobs and had to use up their savings. She did not have enough money to buy food for her family and her children were also sick. She contacted Sakhi Kendra and explained her situation. Sakhi Kendra transferred money to her account, which she used to buy medicines for her children, some raw grains for food. From the leftover money she started her own florist business from her home and began selling flowers to her customers. She now earns her livelihood by making and selling flower arrangements. She is very happy that she can support her family and ensure the good health of her children. She thanks Sakhi Kendra for their help and guidance.
Soni has a 90% physical disability along with her husband. They both used to work in a factory, but they lost their jobs during the lockdown. They faced financial hardship and rental issues, as their landlord demanded rent and threatened to evict them. Soni also had a gall bladder stone that caused her severe pain. She contacted Sakhi Kendra, which she knew from before, and told us about her situation. Sakhi Kendra transferred money to her account, which she used to buy medicines for her pain, pay the rent, and with remaining money she and her husband started a stall in their wheelchairs and sold chips, water pouches, biscuits, etc. to their customers. They now earn steady income running their stall and are happy that they have overcome their hardship and started their own work with a smile on their face.
Soni is a woman who used to run a gumti where she sold some items and stitched clothes for her neighbors. Her family was in a good condition with her income. However, during the lockdown, her shop was closed and she had to use up her savings. She soon ran out of money and had no food for her family. She contacted us and told us about her situation. We transferred money to her account, which she used to buy food for her family and some commodities for her gumti. She reopened her gumti and resumed her business. She is very thankful to us for our help and support.
Mamta and her husband were living a happy life until the lockdown hit them hard. Her husband lost his job and they had no source of income. Their savings were soon exhausted and they struggled to afford even the basic necessities. Mamta reached out to us and asked for help. We provided her with financial assistance and guidance. Mamta used the money to buy food for her family and also to start a small vegetable stall. Now, she is earning enough to support her family and also to save for the future. Mamta is grateful to us for helping her become a livelihood initiator.
Kusum and her husband were enjoying a good life together. He was working and she was taking care of the house. But everything changed when the lockdown came and he lost his job. They had no income and they faced severe financial difficulties. They could not even afford food for themselves. Kusum was one of our active leaders and she contacted us for help. We gave her financial support and guidance. Kusum used the money to buy food for her and her husband and also to set up a small stall outside her house. She started selling snacks and tea to the customers. Now, she is making enough money to meet their basic needs and also to save some for the future. Kusum is thankful to us for helping her.
Sarita was a victim of domestic violence by her husband who threw her out of the house. We helped her in that situation. She learned sewing from us and got a job in a factory. But due to the lockdown and covid, she lost her job and stayed at home. Her savings were soon used up. She reached out to us for help. We gave her financial assistance and transferred money to her bank account. Sarita used the money to buy food for her and her family and also to buy a sewing machine. She started her own business of sewing clothes for the neighbors at a low cost. She attracted many customers with her skills and quality. Now, she is very happy that we helped her and her business is running smoothly. She can live on her own and support her family.
Hospital Survivors
Ranjana was infected with Covid during the first wave. She recovered from it after some time. But when the second wave came, she fell ill again and her condition worsened. She needed continuous oxygen for her survival. One of our active leaders informed us about her situation and we helped her financially. Her family members took her to the hospital where she is now on life support. She is recovering slowly with continuous medication. She is thankful to us for saving her life.
Seema Baraar was a domestic worker who used to work in different houses. But due to the lockdown, she lost her job as many people were afraid that she might be infected as she went to many houses. She faced financial hardship and became ill. Her blood level dropped as she did not have enough food to eat. She could not get treatment as she had no money. Her family members contacted us and told us about her problem and applied for help. We gave her financial assistance by transferring money to her account. Her family members took her to the hospital and got her treated. After a week, she recovered and called us to thank us for helping her in such a condition. Now, she is well.
Sunita was a domestic worker who used to work in different houses. But during the lockdown, she lost her job as most of the people did not let her enter their houses thinking that she might be infected. She had no money and she did not have enough food to eat. She became ill and she could not afford treatment. One of our active leaders informed us about her situation and we helped her financially. Her family members took her to the hospital and got her treated. Now she is well and living a good life. She is very grateful to us for helping her in her tough time.
Laxmi was familiar with us as we were handling her legal case. Her husband left her and she was living at her mother’s house with her two children. During the lockdown, she became very ill and could not get treatment as she had no money. One of her family members informed us about her condition. We gave her financial help and her family members took her to the hospital. She got proper treatment there. Now, she is completely fine. She was very happy that we helped her in her tough time.
Orphaned Children
Sujata lost her parents to covid and was left with a younger brother and sister to take care of. She used to work as a primary teacher in a school and was the sole breadwinner of her family. But due to the lockdown, she lost her job and could not meet the needs of herself and her siblings. Her savings were soon used up in the lockdown. She contacted us for help. We understood her situation and decided to help her financially. She used the money to buy food and other essential items for her family.
Anjali lost her parents to Covid-19 and her financial and mental state became unstable. She had to take care of her younger brother and sister. She asked for help from her relatives but none of them helped her. She faced financial hardship. She tried to find a job but could not find any due to the lockdown. She learned about us and contacted us for help. We gave her financial support. She used the money to buy food and raw grains for her house. She became strong and empowered enough to make her own decisions for the betterment of herself and her siblings. Now, her aunt is taking care of them
​Khushi is an 11-year-old child who lost her mother to covid. Her father became mentally unstable after the death of his wife. She had no one to take care of her. Her uncle, who was her mother’s brother, took her in and started looking after her. But he was not financially stable as he lost his job due to covid. We learned about her condition. Her uncle contacted us and asked for help. We gave him financial assistance. He used the money to buy food items and raw grains for Khushi. Khushi is now stable and happy with her uncle. She is very grateful to us.