Giving generously to the poor being the doctrine of all religion, is invaluable for one’s personal development, as it cultivates the habit of living for the sake of others and giving. The exact term for this is Alms giving in Christianity, Zakat in Islam and Dana in Hinduism. Different religions it may seem but same teachings and principle of giving and sharing with the less fortunate.
Though The Other Side Foundation is a secular charitable organisation, it conforms and exercises this truth, especially now when the globe is battling with Coronavirus.
According to World Economic Forum 2020: 900 million people from less developed countries are at risk from Corona virus because they lack economic resources and proper medical infrastructure. The above fact coupled with poverty, makes communities like the ones The Other Side Foundation serves in Lusaka Zambia, a literal time bomb!
The immunity of the orphans and vulnerable children and old folks in this community is impaired due to hunger, poor health, hygiene and living conditions which the corona virus thrives on.
However, partnering with GlobalGiving USA, Ramakrishna Mission Singapore and Ramakrishna Vedanta Center Lusaka Zambia, has enabled The Other Side Foundation to reach out to these helpless aged guardians and young OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) from perishing due to hunger caused by this pandemic. Since all schools had to shut down in Zambia leading to our OVC not getting their daily nourishment from TOSF school’s feeding program. As a result many of our students who come from impoverished backgrounds, are now starving because they used to eat their only meal of the day, at school.
Hence TOSF staff members distributed food ration packages consisting of cooking oil, soya chunks, bars of soap, washing powder, salt, sugar and 10kg maize flour to each household..
Currently TOSF supports more than 400 orphans and vulnerable children through their feeding and health care programs and provides free education. These families who are struggling to feed themselves just one meal a day, can no longer even do that because this unprecedented pandemic has affected their guardians and parents’ livelihood. The health and government guidelines imposed is preventing them from carrying out their small business of selling charcoal packs or fruits from door to door.
Microloans was given by TOSF to the single mothers and widows to start small businesses so that they could at least feed their children one meal a day. Even that has come to a halt because there is a restriction in movement which does not allow them to go out and sell resulting in loss of income.
Moreover TOSF school is also not providing free food to their children due to school closure. The final blow being Starvation! Facing this dilemma, are they going to die of hunger or coronavirus? Will poverty overpower the virus and kill them anyway?
Help The Other Side Foundation make a difference in these fragile lives. Let us not loose more innocent lives.
Hi Team,
The article looks great and keep going with your efforts in helping people.
Cheers!
Thank you