Our International Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

Students all over the world have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the United Nations, nearly 1.4 million children are out of school. Today, we hear from our Director of International Programs, Luis Bourdet, about how our affiliated projects, volunteer coordinators, and our organization are reacting to the challenges that children are facing globally due to the pandemic.

Helping children who can’t go home

“As a result of school closings, some of our affiliated projects around the world are having a difficult time, especially when it comes to our many projects where children are boarding at the school,” said Luis.

“For many of these children, there is no option to go home. The children come from impoverished households in undesirable conditions that would increase their risk of infection. They have no means of sanitation in their home, where at the boarding school there are proper facilities and the hygiene practices.”

“The projects are willing to help children, but they are very overwhelmed. For example, the Maria Reyna Home in Honduras has more than 70 children living in the home. Even though Children Incorporated recently established apartments for the higher education students, it has become difficult for the staff to manage the children being in the home under quarantine,” explained Luis.

“Much of the school’s personnel has returned to their own homes, so they are short-staffed. The older children in higher education are helping by cooking in the kitchen, tutoring the younger students, and still studying and taking online classes.”

“With the local universities closed, the older students are doing everything they can to help at the Home. Children Incorporated has been able to offer some assistance. The home had a bakery that they wanted to re-open, and we offered support for supplies. The older students are now running the bakery and making bread every day,” expressed Luis.

“I am so happy to start to hear these uplifting stories from our projects. Maria Reyna is still in need of food supplies such as milk and meats as well as some medication. We will offer support through our Hope In Action Fund that is [purposed for emergencies] just as these.”

“We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors and donors who make it possible for Children Incorporated to help projects such as Maria Reyna when they need it the most,” said Luis.

Moving forward together

We will continue to keep you updated with information about the children in our program as updates come to us weekly from our projects. Thank you for your continued support of children in need during this time. Together, we will move forward and do everything we possibly can to help vulnerable children today and in the future.

https://childrenincorporated.org/our-international-response-to-the-covid-19-crisis/