India

In India, the whole trajectory of the Covid19 infection is moving upwards more sharply. Recognising the importance of diet in maintaining immunity, we at GFF HELPS India started a Vegetable Garden Project, drawing inspiration from GFF HELPS Philippines’ project.

Apart from taking nutritious food, physical activity is very important in order to stay healthy. Yoga being a practice for physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing was originated in the ancient India. It is one of the ways to stay healthy during the times of COVID19. Children normally have an active life than most of the adults but given the situation in this pandemic, even the students are not as active as they used to be
during the pre-COVID19 era. They are now forced to stay indoors and there is not much movement in their daily lives.

Bong, Chibbo and Pudung are rural villages in Kalimpong, India. Most of the people in these villages are economically disadvantaged with low education levels, which has led to a lack of awareness about various services that the government and private sectors are providing.  

For the Children of Sir Owen G Glenn Learning & Information Centres– Bong, Chibbo and Pudung Villages of India 

Libraries are an important part of a student’s life. It gives the students an opportunity to explore new stories, facts and fiction to get lost into. Most importantly it builds up a reading habit which leads to acquiring new and valuable knowledge, fosters creativity and develops their communication skills. The GFF HELPS Mobile Library, inspired by Philippine Team’s Mobile Library,  covers three SOGG L&I Centres in Pudung, Bong and Chibbo. Each of these centres have 30 to 50 students between the age of 5-16 years old (Pudung has some elder students too).  

The Indian Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organisation that aims to protect human life and health throughout India. Kalimpong Sub-divisional team has worked continuously for the welfare of the people under these seven principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality. 

The Glenn Family Foundation Kalimpong team have been working to help people in the villages of Bong, Chibbo and Pudung since 2007. The people in these villages are particularly at risk to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, so the team felt it was important to run an awareness program and help educate these people about how they can protect themselves and their families.