Covid-19 Scenario of Orphanages
Covid-19 is an illness caused by the transmission of coronavirus from an infected person to another. As the cases are rising rapidly the whole world has gone into lock down phase maintaining social isolation. Though this situation has taken a toll on many lives, orphanages have been highly affected. There’s a huge risk involved in taking care of a lot of children especially during a pandemic like this. This blog showcases the scenario of orphanages during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Difficulties in facing the basic needs
Tending to the basic needs like food, clothes and sanitation has become a real problem now. People who work in orphanages such as cooks, maids and janitorial workers won't be able to come because of the lockdown situation. Some refugee orphanages run only through the government funds which is also not sufficient for their needs and many are starving. We are facing insufficiency of resources and this is particularly impacting orphanages as they have to feed in large numbers thus the need for more resources. There is an absence of link between the resources and the need which leads the orphanages to face the bigger challenge of feeding and taking care of the orphans.
Lower Adoption Rate
People are now distracted because of coronavirus and want to save their lives and family. No one has time to think of the needy or adopt a child during the pandemic and so adoption has been stagnant. Parents who have already completed the adoption process also couldn't finish the process and take the child home because they are stuck in their places. As a result of this, many children are missing the chance of being adopted to a new family.
Lack of Volunteers
Owing to self isolation and social distancing there is an increasing demand for volunteers. Those who were already volunteering were also stuck in their native places or can't travel because of the lockdown rules. Field workers who are willing to work also couldn't help because they have to follow the government rules and consider the safety and well being of others. This has resulted in formation of a huge gap between planning and execution of various programs for the benefits of the children.
Education
Education is the second most affected area next to the economy. To rectify this, technology has come to aid. As classrooms have turned into digital classrooms, certain sectors are the most affected. For example, the livelihood of auto and van drivers who take children to the schools have been affected. Now that everything is digital, the stationery shops, canteens, small vendors and tailoring sectors are also affected. When it comes to orphanages, the orphanages might not be technologically advanced and might not have many technological devices to be used by all the students. The government has planned to conduct video classes through television channels. Probably orphanages might have one or two televisions which lead to the question of how all the children of different age groups and different grades will be able to benefit from such classes.
Problems with funds and donations
Even during normal time, there was no sustainable financial source for orphanages. Due to Covid-19 lockdown, the economy has shattered as a result of which the funds and donations are affected. It is very challenging to run an orphanage without funds. Many people have lost their jobs and are unemployed. It is difficult for everyone to manage their lives so we can’t expect huge amounts of donations. People are opting to celebrate their special occasions in orphanages nowadays instead of lavish parties but that too has been curtailed because of the Covid situation. Many orphanages have been started and are running in religious spirit. Unfortunately all the religious sites are closed as a part of lockdown which in turn affects the funds the orphanages get through religious organisations.
Physical and Mental Health
Many who are safe in their houses have also succumbed to anxiety, depression and poor mental health. Similarly, the orphanages are also facing difficulties in maintaining the children’s mental and physical well being. There are children from various socioeconomic groups, many have poor health conditions and are homesick and the orphanages usually don’t have separate rooms available for everyone. The orphanage has the responsibility of maintaining discipline, privacy and building character of the orphans.
Many research suggests that one of the major ways of transmission of coronavirus is through touching infected surfaces. This has made life difficult for the visually challenged who have no other way but to touch and feel everything around them. As this corona virus is transmitted through human contact, orphanages need to be extra careful because even if one gets infected by the virus there is a possibility of it spreading through the whole orphanage. Including all these difficulties the orphanages are in charge of making sure that those who are living under their roof are physically, mentally, and emotionally sound and good.