A farmer from Bhagwanpur village, Supaul district, Bihar, was finding it difficult to go to work everyday, as his vision started blurring. Unable to work in the paddy fields anymore. The fear of losing his only means to livelihood was looming before him. After months of struggling with his eyesight, there was a ray of hope when he heard about an eye screening camp being conducted by HelpAge India. Today new glasses stay constantly perched on his nose and happy Siyaram is back to work and back to life again.

Vangayagudem, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, has two sons and a daughter, yet no one to look after her. Living in abject poverty, her own children are unable to support her. With the meager pension she gets, she barely has anything left to sustain herself after paying her basic monthly rent of Rs. 300. Left alone, with no one to reach out to, her good Samaritan neighbors called the HelpAge Elder Helpline. The Helpline team immediately got into action and found a home for Veeravalli, where she has now found a safe haven and lives life without fear.

A teacher by profession in a private school, he was hit hard by the lockdown. Ever since the number of positive cases of Covid 19 started to rise in the country, schools, colleges and universities were shut down and the education system froze. His family consisting of five other members were all dependent on him, including his sick parents, his wife and children. “We’re surviving on what we have saved so far, but now that is almost over and we are almost about to starve!” –said Kumar. Devastated, he called HelpAge India’s Elder Helpline number (1800-180-1253) and requested for ration, a Survival Kit for himself & his family, so they could have the basic essentials to survive.

Used to work in Cuddalore district and suddenly lost vision in both of his eyes. During that time, all of his friends abandoned him. Didn’t even had money for food, shelter or medical treatment. With everybody gone, he decided to commit suicide. After being admitted to one of our old age homes, he got a new family and even went through eye surgery which restored his vision. In his own words:

With Elderly at a higher risk, our covid-19 response team ensures our elders are protected and well taken care.

Essential Commodities Distribution