Vizag Volunteers Migrant Workers Services
The COVID pandemic has left many people jobless as the factories and workplaces were shut down due to country lockdown. As the entire country was in lockdown all companies, industries and transport were affected. The most affected people in this lockdown were migrant labourers, daily wage workers and poor people. Many of them got stranded at places without food and uncertain about their future. They had to face multiple hardships due to loss of income and many of them wanted to go back to their hometown as there was no other option left for them. Migrant workers had to travel long distances by walk as there was no transport system available; they had to go by their own means to their hometown.
The first and second phase of lockdown imposed strict rules where the workers were not allowed to enter into other states causing more problems. During their journey, they didn't receive any help from the government and from the public. At this point, we wanted to do something for them.
Based on the flow of the migrant labourers we identified five different locations for food distribution and they are Gajuwaka, Bus stop opposite to Zoo, Pinagadi Junction, MVP Colony, and Sheela Nagar. Each point we had a head volunteer like for Gajuwaka point Mr Ajay took the responsibility, at Bus stop opp to Zoo Mr Prasad and Mr Narsingh, at Pinagadi Junction Mr Avinash and Mr Jagadish, at M.V.P Colony Mr Praveen and Mr Dilip and at Sheela Nagar, Mr Shasank took the responsibility. Our Motto is to make sure no passing migrant through the city is hungry or thirsty. In this journey, they had to be cautious as they can get affected easily and they are also not carrying any food or medicines. Our aim was to serve the people and see that no migrant labourers should leave empty stomachs. Based on this activity we made this plan and started to cook food at MVP colony OYO restaurant. On an everyday basis, it costs us around 30,000/- to 40,000/- to serve the migrant labourers with essentials. We spent around Rs. 6.7 lakhs on water packets and bottles combined. We distributed more than 60,000 tata glucose packets, more than 70,000 masks were given to the migrants, Rs.40,000/- or more was spent on fruits and Rs. 5,368/- was a miscellaneous expenditure. Vizag Volunteers has seen many migrants cycling and walking thousands of miles and decided to donate more than 2000 plus slippers to the people. Posters were designed by Mr Somesh and Mr Phani, advertising was done by Mr Chandan and Mrs Madhuri to promote the volunteering works done by our team of members.
Many individual volunteers and crowdfunding have helped us to serve the migrants successfully. The donors who came forward are Mr Koti, Mr Sambasivarao, Mr Rana Uppalapati, Mr Ramesh, Mr Abhishek, Mrs Saroja, Mrs Preethi, Mr Raj, Mr Uday, Mrs Asha Jasti, Mr Pradeep, Mr Swarun, Mr Dev, Mr Kesav.
Vizag Volunteers not only helped the people by distributing food, they also provided approximately 2 Lakhs medicines. They gave ORS packets, Pain Killers, Vitamin C Tablets, Fever Tablets, Sprays, for Children - Electrolyte Powder, for Ladies - Sanitary Napkins etc. We have also made a special kit for the kids which contains milk, chocolates and biscuits. Some medicines were paid and some medicines were donated by the people. All these items were taken in Auto to the respective locations every day for distribution.
Feedback from the Migrants:
All the migrant workers were very thankful to Vizag Volunteers for the help provided to them. Few of the migrant workers have been walking for days from many parts of the country carrying their parents and kids. Receiving such help from our volunteers was something they never expected in their journey.
Vizag Volunteers aim to help migrant workers with food and medicine was successfully done. It’s been an incredible journey for us to see smiles on people's faces when we gave them food, water, basic medicines and necessary items helping them to reach their destination safely. We are thankful to all the volunteers who would start their day by 5 am in the morning and serve the ongoing migrant workers till late at night. There was not a single day our team has missed the timing or any food point to serve the people. We have learnt humanity and identified the importance of life serving these people. Some people after seeing our volunteer work stopped by and gave donations which have indeed given us more strength to serve the people.
