KATHMANDU, June 4: As of Thursday, as many as 7,630 people have succumbed to COVID-19 in Nepal. Among them, many were parents. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only killed people but has orphaned thousands. Thousands of children have lost their parents and parental care.

SOS Children Village in Nepal is currently preparing to adopt as many as 500 children from across the country who lost their parents due to COVID-19.

Deepa Oli, communication officer at SOS Children Village, said that the organization will adopt 500 or more children whose parents died of COVID-19 from across the country. “The organization will support such children under the family strengthening program and Kinship Program if they have relatives and if not then they live at SOS Children Villages,” she added.

Under the family strengthening program, the organization will provide support for education and health of the children along with livelihood support to the family members. “We also provide income-generating training of their interest to family members in order to help the family to sustain and be self-reliant,” said Oli. “The organization will continue to support the child and the family until they become able to sustain themselves.”

“Likewise, if there is no one to look after the child, then he/she will be brought to SOS Children Village and live there until he/she is 16. The organization will provide him/her with all kinds of support including education. After 16, the child will live in the Youth Cares until he/she is 24. During this period, the child will learn to be independent. After 24, the child will live on his/her own,” Oli said.

“If the children are differently able or are physically challenged and could not live on their own after 24, the organization keeps supporting them,” she added.

The organization will adopt children who have lost their parents to COVID-19 on the recommendation of the government. “Those willing to seek support can contact SOS Balgram,” said Oli.

 
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