In Mumbai, the Salesians took up the Covid-19 challenge with their heads held high and, in accordance with the directives of the civic administration, they are bringing aid to the poorest and most abandoned, reaching the inhabitants of the slums. In particular, the "Don Bosco Development Society" (DBDS), the Mumbai Planning and Development Office, has planned the production of 1,200 masks to be distributed free of charge to migrants and slum residents. In addition, thanks to their collaboration with the company "Mahanagar Gas Ltd", it is creating a kit, containing food and personal hygiene products, intended for approximately 3,000 families.
The Don Bosco oratory of Matunga continues to show its closeness to young people. The boys who attend this oratory often come from poor and fragile contexts and cannot be abandoned right now. The Salesians supply them with food and products of primary necessity. Young Oratorians, accompanied by their parents or guardians, can access certain collection points, to take what they need. The managers of the oratory, in accordance with the provisions of the civil authorities, oversee the delivery points.
Furthermore, since the Covid-19 emergency may have psychological repercussions, the Salesian organization "Prafulta Psychological Services" has launched a telephone consultancy service, which involves 50 consultants. Covid-19 has raised problems of anxiety, fear, behavioral changes that lead to insomnia, feeling of loneliness and depression. For this reason, the specialists will make themselves available to those who feel these problems and need psychological support.
The Bangalore Province is also at the forefront in dealing with this emergency. The Bangalore Planning and Development Office, "BREADS", in collaboration with "KISMAT", the help desk for migrants, is organizing the distribution of 1,000 kits, mainly containing rice, wheat flour, legumes, oil, vegetables and other food products.
Also in the Bangalore Province, the "Don Bosco Sneha Bhavan Palluruthy", the Authority for Legal Services of the District of Ernakulam, in collaboration with the "Childline" of Kochi and the High Court of Justice, has created a kitchen community to provide food for the poor and migrants. 750 packets of food are being distributed daily, as well as masks and hand sanitizer gel.
