COVID Response
Rural Dalit communities were not spared from the pandemic. In fact, it has uncovered the ugliness of the growing caste, class, and religious divide in India as Dalits are frequently denied admission into hospitals.
Fear and confusion have plagued the rural poor and illiterate. We have helped Dalits overcome both through awareness camps and home health visitations. In all interactions, we explain how the virus spreads and how we can contain it.
Among rural Dalit communities, online classes were not an option. Few students have access to digital media or a literate adult at home to support them in their studies. A truly heroic effort, our teachers have continued to teach our students through home visits during the pandemic.
Most rural Dalit men lost their jobs during the lockdown. Even after the lockdown, the lack of transportation often leaves them stranded. The women who work for the Violet Training Center have been able to support their families as they work from home making bags and jewelry. Other women have found work in nearby fields as they bear the burden of feeding their families.
Our work is becoming more defined as we empower this invisible population to use its voice, to claim their human rights as guaranteed by our Constitution. We have had to pivot and adjust our programs and practices even as we acknowledge that they matter now more than ever. In doing so we created COACH, a new initiative to help 2nd through 5th graders gain ground in education of the whole self...academics, morals, sports, and the arts, and receive nourishing food. You can read more about it on our blog: click the button above.
