Foster Care for 100 Orphan Children in India

COVID -19 Pandemic Overview

During the coronavirus pandemic, caring for children in foster care can be even more challenging than the usual day given by parents, foster and kinship caregivers. Children in foster care have often survived a lifetime of uncertainty and change, both before entering foster care and during foster care. Many of these children have experienced adversity and trauma, leaving them more vulnerable to the changes that come with school closings, lack of daily contact with peer groups /friends, Use of mask and other forms of social /physical distancing. There is also the issue of social distancing, with children not being able to see their biological parents, along with education and home-schooling creating an immense challenge for already stressed foster parents.

Despite the practical and emotional challenges that coronavirus is bringing. Our foster parents continue to provide support, love, caring and stability to the children. All 100 children in Foster care arrangements are safe at home.

Key Progress during the Period:

Stay connected remotely:

Social distancing, lockdowns situation due to spread of COVID-19 is changing family life. For caregivers with children now out of school, manage work and caring for children and perhaps loss of income, the stresses of care giving may be increased.During these pandemic situations, we stay connectedwith the families through text messages, video calling, phone calls & Family visits which help & contribute to child and parent well-being. With the support of health workers, ASHA, Anganwadi workers have taken up different innovative activities to raise awareness among the community about the COVID-19 & its prevention measures. We empowered the caregivers parenting skills on safe practices including DO & Don’t at home as a preventive approach. The members also follow-up the caregivers provide the fact information & encourage them to speak openly while felling in stress or anxiety. In Family based care arrangements, we provide them the information regarding the preventive measures & asking them to maintain the protocols such as handwashing, wear a mask & social distancing accordingly.

Engagement of children:

Social /Physical distancing can bring back feelings of loneliness and isolation that many children in foster care have experienced. They may be afraid of being separated from foster parents, and other family members. Through the video, telephonic calls, text messages & visit where ever possible, we the staff are stay connected with 100 children and provide them the basic information on the COVID-19, encouraged to stay at home & express the feeling, fears of the children through art therapy, storytelling & creative writings. All the children have their unique needs during the emergencies. Daily routines help children feel safe and secure. All the children create their daily schedule that includes learning, play, leisure times, mealtime to eat together & story telling time.  The parents are taking care of the children, enjoy & spend their time with their children. We have also introduced a fun book for children for their information, learning & fun activity on COVID -19 as per their psychosocial need.

Provide Dry Ration /meal kit to the Families:

Looking in to the situation arised due to complete lockdown YCDA supported with dry ration meal kits, Hygiene & learning kits to the families & children. They were identified with the help of local sarpanch, PRI representatives, Anganwadi workers& ASHA of the villages. The dry meal kit includes ( Rice, Dal, Oil, Onion, Potato ,Sugar, Flaked Rice, Detergent Powder, Soap, Biscuit ,etc.) and learning kits includes art books, notebooks, colour pencil , pen kit .This packets supplemented their food requirements during this pandemic situation, they were happy and convey their gratitude.

Practicing Hand washing & Use of Mask:

Considering to this, YCDA carried to campaign on hand washing practices as Hand washing is also key to protects from infections and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our team is engaged in COVID-19 response activities such as creating awareness on social distancing, use of facemask and demonstrating hand washing with soap & clean water in families. We have made the demonstration in various strategic locations to sensitize to the children and caregivers in the community & families to use of mask and its benefits for COVID warriors. However all children living in family based care arrangements are well aware to use the mask & practicing the hand washing steps at family.

Hii, I am doing regular handwashing practices at my home & also telling others to do it.          

I have done my Part …Have you??       

Thanks to Supporters & GlobalGiving to bring hope to our life…

• YCDA Progess Report on Children in Foster Care (PDF)