COVID-19 Crisis in India

The COVID-19 virus in India is raging. During the first wave of the virus in 2020, the staff, children, and families of Bethania Kids remained healthy, as we have been thankful to report. India is now in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19, and a third, more brutal wave is expected in the fall. Despite India being a world leader in vaccine manufacturing, still only 4% of the Indian population has been fully vaccinated, compared to 45% in the United States (source: NY Times). The government has imposed a complete lockdown, making life especially difficult for day laborers and other low income people. Many Bethania Kids families are now in dire straits. The new Delta variant in India is extremely contagious, and the death-toll continues to rise. As we reported last week, we mourn the loss the Director of the Dayavu Home for Boys in Kannivadi, Eduman Isaac, who recently died of complications from COVID-19. The entire country is in need of substantial help from around the world. We want to provide as much protection from the virus, aid during the pandemic, and recovery post-pandemic for our Bethania Kids family as we possibly can.