The Covid-19 pandemic was more than a health crisis. It was a humanitarian disaster. While it claimed countless lives, it also destroyed livelihoods overnight. For those already living on the edge, the lockdown was not just an inconvenience — it was a fight for survival.
When the nationwide lockdown was announced in March 2020, Mahatma Gandhi School refused to stand by as helplessness turned into hunger. Within days, we mobilised our limited resources, volunteers and community support to reach people in urgent need.
When lockdown left families starving, we carried hope to Bhima Koregaon – one ration kit at a time.
When livelihoods stopped overnight, we ensured no tourist guide in Trimbakeshwar slept hungry.
From fear to protection — over 6,000 free vaccines brought safety and relief to our community.
Where silence and stigma often prevail, our ration drives in Budhwar Peth reached over 2,000 sex workers with care and support.
300 families in Nashik's slums including widows, the elderly and the handicapped received 22kg ration kits.
Beyond classrooms, we stood by our children's families, delivering ration kits to sustain them with care and hope.
Over the course of the pandemic, we reached 35,000+ families with life-saving food grains, cooking essentials, and sanitary supplies. Among them were:
- Families of our own students, whose only source of income had suddenly stopped.
- 2,000+ sex workers in the Budhwar Peth area of Pune, many of whom were left with no means to buy food.
- Tourist guides of Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, whose work disappeared overnight as travel halted.
- Tribal families in Koregaon Bhima, Pune, cut off from markets and basic supplies.
Our response went beyond food. From June to November 2021, we facilitated 6,000 free doses of Covishield for those who had no access to vaccination centres or couldn't afford the travel and waiting time.
For us, relief isn't just about surviving a crisis. It's about restoring stability and hope.