Keeping our Mitrata kids safe and healthy

The entire world is going through a time of great uncertainty. We are witnessing a global health crisis that will possibly shift social, economic, and other components of society in an unknown direction. In this critical situation of COVID-19 and an armed, national lockdown in Nepal, all of the children including the older children in our program have gone back to their villages, to their parents and guardians. They are in a safe and secure environments. All the schools and colleges remain closed for in-person and physical classes. We have been providing our children with emotional support through regular communication. We are also keeping track of their situations and have given rations to some of the families based in and around Kathmandu. We’re still in the process of providing emergency relief to other needy families further outside of Kathmandu. But what for those who do not have a favorable situation where they could go to their parents or guardians like other children? We have a few young adults who are in need for greater support— and we have BSF group accommodation and transitional housing for such kids on the BSF head office premises. This BSF residence is like their second home and is a very safe and secure place. We have graduated some of our finest youths from here. This place has great value in our organization. I meet them almost every day. They play an important role in shaping the environment of the office, too. If they are happy, healthy, and productive, it feels immensely good working in the office.

At BSF, we accept and respect individuality of our children and try to address their individual issues emanating from their unique personal circumstances. And we believe every individual, child, or young adult is equally important. Having said that, most of the children living in BSF residence need extra attention for their physical, emotional, and psychological well being. As a program coordinator, I have a special role in taking care of their overall growth. I work and facilitate them to ensure their education, health, and emotional needs as I do for many other children in the program alongside my other colleagues at BSF. For the girls residing in BSF residence, I get involved more personally: sometimes helping them choose dresses for special occasions or even talking to them about their personal lives. I watch them closely as their guardian, mentor, or caretaker without hindering their privacy. It is quite challenging sometimes to navigate the grey area between personal and professional relationships.

Susmita with a Mitrata child

At present, we have six girls in BSF residence, and we have been working closely with them. All of them have completed high school. In fact, two of them are graduates. We are in frequent communication with them, help them keep track of their rations, and other day-to-day needs. Normally, we would provide them monthly rations. In the last week of April, though, we helped them store ration and cooking gas for about two months to overcome possible logistical difficulties, shortages, and restrictions that may arise during extended lockdown. They are also learning to maintain records of their expenses and manage their daily stocks of supplies and file the bills. For their safety, we have been suggesting them to stay inside and not to go out of the house unless absolutely necessary, and to strictly follow all of the safety measures like keeping distance and wearing a mask if they ever have to go out. On top of that, we counsel them on taking good care of their health and maintain a healthy routine. We talk to them about the ways to remain productive and active, and they have been doing great so far. They play different games within the housing compound every evening. Most of them have online classes. They have been utilizing the office internet for academic and other skill development purposes. In addition to that, they together do all the household chores, and they have been learning useful skills in the process. One of our main, long-term goals is to help each of our children reach their unique potential, and all of these activities in some way have been contributing to making every individual well-rounded, independent, kind and resourceful.

— Susmita Gautam, BSF Program Coordinator

Susmita (3rd from the left) with Leena Satyal, BSF Executive Director (Second from the left) and Mitrata kids