23rd October 2021 Muniguda, Odisha, INDIA.

Orissa, the second poorest state in India constitutes nearly 22% of its population as Tribal. Ecological degradation, erratic rainfall and drought have resulted in food insecurity, migration and starvation leading to a vicious cycle of exploitation. Muniguda block (Rayagada District) is the Tribal settlement and is characterized by low socio-economic status, unorganized housing structures, poor sanitation, lack of water and electricity supply, to name a few. Covid 19 brought a bigger threat due to the lowered immunity of the tribals. Close community dwelling made the spread of infection faster and the situation called for special attention.

Bosconet joined hands with Don Bosco Nava Nirman and supported them under the CARE program (Covid 19 Action and Relief Efforts). In a bid to provide the tribes a life of dignity, dry food ration kits were distributed to 1000 families in the Odisha State of Rayagada district to 4 Blocks/ Mandals (Chandrapur, Muniguda, Gudari and BissamCuttack) covering 17 tribal villages, located in the Ghaty area (hillocks). The beneficiaries included tribals, migrants, widows, orphans and poor families in the villages. There were also initiatives to promote awareness on COVID-19 safety measures and provide nutrition tips to improve the immunity of families. Programmes like Adult Literacy Mission, Regular Health Camps, Summer camps for Children, agricultural initiatives, Awareness programmes on Health and Hygiene, family values, evils of Alcohol etc were conducted to improve the quality of living.

With the help of village’s leaders, Don Bosco enrolled the children of the tribe in local schools upto a certain grade and after a bridge course, so far, 50 of these children have been moved to the Don Bosco English Medium School, Muniguda, as hostelites.

A team for distributing the Food Ration kits was created which included Fr.P.Arul Das (Director), Fr. Sony Cyriac (Assistant Director), Sr.Susheela (Animator), Sr. Blaize ( Animator), Ms.Asha (Health Facilitator) and Mr. Gumesh and Mr.Yacob. It was with immense gratitude that the Salesians of Don Bosco Nava Nirman, Muniguda and people of the villages thanked Bosco Net, Delhi, Give India and Bosco Seva Kendra for supporting this noble work of distributing Food Ration Kits for the poor in the tribal villages of Odisha State.