An eventful year is drawing to a close. Our local partners in Nepal and India faced the challenging situation with impressive flexibility and great commitment. Usthi is thankful for the great support we received from our donors in Switzerland again this year.

At the beginning of the year, the situation in India with respect to the pandemic seemed to be easing. While school lessons could already take place again in Nepal and the project development of the educational project progressed further, only a few children were allowed to return to the schools in India.

A renewed rise in the number of cases in March diminished hopes for further opening steps. Again, the measures to control the pandemic forced schools into distance learning, activities in the projects were restricted, many families remained without income.

Both India and Nepal were hit hard by this second wave. To support people in this difficult situation, Usthi launched an emergency relief campaign together with local partners. Thanks to prompt and generous support, Usthi was able to expand the campaign to four locations. Families and children in the surroundings of our projects were provided with food and hygiene materials.

Since autumn, the projects have slowly returned to normality. First of all, the professional skills centres were able to reopen, the students gradually returned to the classrooms, and the prevention campaign against human trafficking also picked up speed again. The easing allowed Usthi’s Executive Director Alessandra Grosse and Programme Coordinator Mirjam Hirzel to visit the projects in India together with the founder of the Foundation Kurt Bürki, to exchange with the staff and to get a picture of the situation on spot.

The main goal for the coming year is to keep all children enrolled in school. With the help of bridge classes, children shall be enabled to catch up on missed lessons. Women and children who have lost family members are given access to professional skills training so that they can stand on their own two feet.

Finally, Usthi would like to express its heartfelt thanks for the initiatives of the inspiring charity events in favour of our foundation. In September, the Dorftheater Utzenstorff played a charity performance and in December, a virtual yoga charity event took place. The proceeds are of the greatest value for the young people in our projects.

Usthi would also like to thank all private donors, institutions and the public sector for their overwhelming support and wishes a peaceful end of the year and a good start into 2022.

This month the “Community Contribution Day” took place in Hyderabad. Staff, neighbours and the local community around the campus were invited to contribute to the children’s homes. The day was a great success.

On the 13th of December, people from the surrounding areas of the projects in Hyderabad came together to support the children’s homes with groceries. The event attracted many people to the campus where vulnerable children and women have found a home, go to school or attend professional skills trainings.

People generously donated food such as rice, lentils or potatoes for the children’s shelters. “We are touched by their generosity,” emphasise the local project leaders. “We are very blessed to have the local community involved in this.“

Some participants also prepared snacks at home to sell on site and donate the proceeds to the children’s homes. With the donations and the food contributions, the children’s nutrition can be ensured for the next three weeks.

In addition to providing valuable support to the children’s homes, the campaign also helps to reach out to the local community, strengthen their connection to the institution and expand the local network.

Would you also like to support the children in Usthi’s children’s homes? Every contribution is of great importance for the children and young people.

The sense of community and solidarity that we have experienced again this year through our donors is overwhelming. In this respect, Usthi wishes you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful holiday season. Thank you for your valuable support from Switzerland.

The Advent season marks the beginning of the search for suitable Christmas gifts. With our gift ideas, you not only choose something unusual, but also support young people in India and Nepal.