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Children like Junali need your urgent help
NOW, MORE THAN EVER
Teenager Junali Lakhra faces all adversities of life with determination and courage. Junali had to give up on her education after completing class 4th because she was diagnosed with cancer in her leg. Her mother tried her best to help her, she sold the little plot of land and they had to arrange money for the treatment, but it was not sufficient to complete the whole course of treatment. The family had to bear the cost for her medicines, and with her mother being the sole earner of the family, managing the finances was tough.
The family came in contact with Save the Children's initiatives when our teams started working in the Tea Gardens of Sonitpur district in Assam. We were reaching out to 100 youths of the community by working in the gardens and providing them with vocational training that will help them build a future. The objective of this initiative was to give the means of alternative livelihood opportunities to disadvantaged youths. Junali Lakhra was identified as one of the youth in need.
Junali, a resident of the tea estate, lives with her widowed mother and two siblings. She wanted to support her mother in the household expenses and contribute toward the expenses incurred in her medication, so she undertook a tailoring course supported by Save the Children. Her instructor at the Tailoring institute gave special attention to her by allowing her to use the electrical sew, not the traditional mechanical one, citing her difficulty of using the leg which had cancer.
Speaking about her experience, she said, "I am thankful for this opportunity. I couldn't pay for this course, so I am glad that Save the Children's team arranged it for me free of cost. After completing the course, I will work as an apprentice in a tailoring shop and hopefully save enough to open my shop someday."
Junali’s dream is to support her mother and to be an independent woman. Now of 17 years, she is still living with cancer and is slowly losing her left leg to the disease. Although she is taking medication to prevent her illness from increasing, the rising cost of the medicines is making it difficult for her mother to run the family, let alone saving enough for her surgery needed to eradicate cancer from Junali's body. Undeterred by the overwhelming difficulties she is hopeful for a better future. She is determined to open her tailoring shop.
With support from donors, Save the Children works to empower children like June so that they can survive, thrive, and lead a dignified life especially during these difficult times.
The most vulnerable need your support
HELP SAVE THE CHILDREN MEET BASIC NEEDS OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES AS THEY HAVE BECOME EVEN MORE VULNERABLE DUE TO COVID–19
About the Fundraiser
Save the Children is India's leading independent child rights NGO. Started in 2008 in India, and registered as 'Bal Raksha Bharat', it has reached more than 1.1 crore children till date. Globally, Save the Children was founded in 1919 and have over 100 years of experience in meeting Children’s needs.
Save the Children runs over 60 programs in India in the areas of Health & Nutrition, Education, Protection, Resilience Building, and Humanitarian Response, catering to the most pressing needs of underprivileged children.
During the COVID-19 crisis, people already living in abject poverty have been hit the most. They are struck with a sudden lack of funds, food, hygiene, and safety. For children and their families in such communities, every day is a struggle for survival. These are children of daily wage workers, migrant laborers, those living in slums, and street-connected children (there are over 20 lakh street-connected children in India). These children need a helping hand during these times of unprecedented crisis.
Together, we can help children as Junali and families survive
As a part of our COVID-19 response, Save the Children is working across India and has reached more than 1.64 lakh people with essential relief in the form of food baskets, hygiene kits, learning kits, cooked meals, protective equipment, and other relief items. Save the Children has identified 2.5 lakh children in cohorts, across 10 cities in India. Reaching out to these children with emergency relief is a top priority. But this cannot be done alone and your support is crucial here.
Your contribution will provide:
- A hygiene kit for high-risk population (includes sanitizer and mask)
- Food baskets for children & families in need (Rice, flour, dals, spices, potato, onion, etc.)
- Clothes for lactating mothers, sanitary pads, cotton rolls, and undergarments
- Health support for children and families in need
- Protective gear to healthcare workers, our COVID Warriors
In India and around the world, Save the Children is on the ground – every day and in times of crisis. Our pioneering programs address children’s unique needs, giving them a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We are outspoken champions for children, ensuring their voices are heard and their issues are given top priority. Drawing on a century of leading expertise, we take on the toughest challenges facing the hardest-to-reach children – especially those unfairly excluded from the world’s progress.
