Shelter homes grapple to make ends meet
HARYANA
KARNAL : Shelter homes run by NGOS in Haryana have seen a dip in donations over the past four months due to the Covid-19 pandemic and are stretched for resources.
The management of Karnal’s MDD Bal Bhawan Anath Ashram needs about Rs 6 lakh a month for food, clothing, electricity, medical facilities and school fee of the 100 children it houses. In addition, it spends Rs 22,000 on monthly rent and salaries of 30 staff members.
“We get Rs 2,000 a month for each child from the government but that is not enough,” says PR Nath, the general secretary and a founder member. “These are uncertain times. People can donate only after meeting their own needs,” he says.
15 NEW INMATES DURING LOCKDOWN
During the lockdown, 15 children joined the 100 inmates, including 49 girls. “Besides, we have 15 differently abled boys in a separate building. We don’t get anything from the government for them and they need two attendants round the clock”, he says.
It’s a similar situation at Bal Ashram at Ladwa in Kurukshetra district that is home to 30 children.
“The government released last year’s funds now. It pays Rs 2,000 per child per month. We used that amount to clear the dues. It’s becoming difficult to even buy ration,” says Shish Pal Mandhan, the ashram director. Baldev Raj Arya of Shradhanand Orphanage in Karnal says, “In such times, people with even two kids are facing problems and we have to take care of 110 children, including 65 girls.”
The first two months of the lockdown were worse but donations are picking up gradually. “We will ensure the best for our children,” he adds. donations and would get about Rs 3 crore a month. We’ve got a negligible amount since the lockdown so we are using savings. We didn’t lay off staff or cut pay, but we appealed to them to donate from their salaries.” The society has,