Don Bosco Navjeevan, Chandigarh has been working for and with the migrant communities of Chandigarh for the last five years and has made various interventions to enhance the lives of the migrant people living in slums and colonies. The centre runs Intervenes Drug Users project, Street Children project, Self Help groups for women empowerment, remedial classes for school dropouts and coaching classes for economically backward children.
As Covid cases were increasing in Punjab and Chandigarh, Don Bosco Navjeevan too plunged into action and started reaching out to people especially children and women who have been associated with us. Fr. Regi Tom says: “The Government of Chandigarh tried its best to meet the challenges of Covid-19 as well as of the lockdown. As many NGOs and other social work institutions stopped working due to lack of funds, the administration requested NGOs and religious institutes to come forward to help the people.” Immediately Don Bosco Navjeevan reached out with ration to about 1000 families, distributed masks, gloves, sanitizers to 500 children and their families. The centre also supplied masks, PPE kits, sanitizers to Director of Health Services, Chandigarh to distribute it to various dispensaries. The Police headquarters of Chandigarh were also supplied hygiene materials to be distributed to people who really need them. About 2500 migrant families were given ration kits consisting of Wheat flour, rice, dal, oil, sugar, tea and salt.
Medical kit consisting of a thermometer, vitamin tablets, tonics, essential medicine and energy drinks have been given to 1000 families. An ambulance with medical facilities was launched to have regular medical checkups and to provide tonic, vitamin tablets and basic medicines with an aim to increase the immunity power of children and women in slums and colonies. Ambulance service is also made available to transport patients to the hospitals and back. Don Bosco Navjeevan also started supporting Government with materials, sanitizers, PPE kits, masks etc. Efforts are being made to provide these hospitals with oxygen cylinders, essential machines and ventilators.
Counseling and online activity engagement for children has been done online and through WhatsApp, and telephone. Children were encouraged to make videos and short movies and they were circulated. Drawing competitions and speech competitions were held online to keep children engaged.
Fr. Babu Varghese SDB