Since 1996, Reaching Hand, a charitable trust based in Bengaluru, has been working for the betterment of the people. The organisation was created with the goal of empowering women, children and families belonging to the marginalised section of the society.
Lockdown didn’t stop them from serving people and they have been actively aiding people in rural and slum areas since the last lockdown. Reaching Hand volunteers were able to supply groceries, masks, meals, and sanitisers to 1,40,000 residents and 10 slums in Bengaluru during the last lockdown.
Ronald Pradeep, a member of the organisation, told News Karnataka that, “The first wave of pandemic hit the country resulting in huge number of deaths and many even lost their jobs, pushing them into poverty. We visited their house and provided them with food kits, dry rations, masks, and other, the nutrition kit supply for women across 10 wards of BBMP.”
He stressed that it is essential to educate the people of the slums on how to avoid contracting the virus. As a result, they have been raising awareness on Covid in various places. Sanitization was also done for the temples, churches mosque and schools.
He explained that the second wave has spread widely than last year. Vaccination, on the other hand, has improved the situation slightly. “We work closely with the BBMP and PHC this year and were able to give dry rations, food packets, and medical kits to various villages and slums. With the assistance of health workers, RT-PCR testing were set up. We have started assisting people with vaccinations, and we hope to vaccinate and feed around 50,000 individuals living in Bengaluru’s slum areas,” he added.
They have built a school and an orphanage and were able to successfully digitalise over 60 schools in Karnataka. They’ve also started an initiative to support pregnant women by giving immunity drinks like Mother’s Horlicks. During this lockdown, the team has also helped in blood donation camps and provided online skill development courses to students. Reaching Hand hopes to expand its services to other states and make a positive impact in the lives of many people.
