Hadisha khatoon lives alone with her father in Sihma Village in Begusarai, which is her native place. She suffers from mental health issues and has been living with her father ever since her husband abandoned her after discovering her mental health condition. As if life was not already difficult and cruel for her with marital problems, her husband also abandoned their 3.5-year-old son Md Jamal. Ever since, given her condition and societal circumstance, she has been completely dependent on her father.

A man in his late 60’s supported his daughter and his grandson by working as a daily laborer in and around the vicinity. As this was just not enough time and again they constantly faced challenges as a family and it was when they were hit with the lockdown that was called upon as a preventive measure to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just like millions, they were completely unprepared for the situation that was at hand and with the limited supply of food in the coming days to survive.

Living in the interiors of Begusarai, Jamal (father) being the only bread earner of the family and no such prior education in his life had the slightest awareness of the need of having certain government documents like ration card so that he could avail entitlements for his family. After weeks of unrest and the debt he was falling into by borrowing from the local Sahukar for a total interest of 5% per month, it was a time of relief when their prayers were heard in the form of hope when MDSSS Muzaffarpur with the help of Caritas India identified this Sihma Panchayat of Chhourahi Block of Begusarai District for distribution of dry ration. It was during this moment that the field response team as per the guidelines of Caritas India were able to strategically assess and evaluate to identify the vulnerable community within the village. Hadisha Khatoon given her condition was one of the families prioritized, who deserve the support of the emergency relief. MDSSS Muzaffarpur with the support from Caritas India as a standard package of emergency response were happy to provide with the basic essentials to Hadisha and her family with 10 kg rice, 5 kg beaten rice, 400 ml. mustard oil, 1 kg Sugar, 1 kg Salt, 5 packet of soya chunks (100 gm each) & 5 pieces of hand wash soap which was a sufficient supply for a span of 2 weeks for the entire family.

Hadisha and her family, as they observe the Holy month of Ramadan, cannot thank enough the Almighty whom they trust and believe in as he has always been merciful for the prayers that they have offered. She is thankful to Caritas India and MDSSS Muzaffarpur for being their silver lining currently for distress and turmoil they were facing.

Hadisha and her father are just hopeful that this lockdown does not prolong and that they are able to get back to their regular livelihood in time.