The second wave of COVID 19 has left thousands of children vulnerable and orphaned in India. While some have lost both their parents, others are in a situation where a single surviving parent cannot take care of them financially and psychologically. In this context, a programme was organised on September 1st, 2021, by Don Bosco Yuvamarg, Ramanagara in Magadi taluk of Ramanagara district, in collaboration with BREADS and the Department of Women and Child Development. The programme aimed to help and provide support to the children who lost either of their parents due to the second wave, and 33 such children from different villages of Magadi taluk received help in various ways. The children below 6 years of age received clothes and nutritious food items, whereas the 7 to 14-year-olds received ration kits, educational materials, and clothes. The Department of Child Protection unit has not only assured these 33 children of free education, counselling and emotional support but they have also been enrolled in the sponsorship programme. The Chief guests for this purposeful event included Mr Surendra, Child Development Protection Officer; Mr Yatish Kumar, Block Education Officer, Magadi; Mr Kumarasamy, Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department; Dr Sudhakar, Health Department (Ayush); Mr Narayana, Chief Education Officer, Education Department, Magadi; Mr Chetan Kumar, District Coordinator, Nutrition programme, Ramanagara; Dr Satish, Taluk Health Officer, Magadi; Fr. Rubin Mathew SDB, Executive Director, BREADS; Fr. Saji George SDB, Director, Don Bosco Yuvamarg; and Fr. Maria Julian SDB, Rector, Don Bosco Yuvakara Grama, Ajjnahalli.
