The Covid-19 situation has improved significantly at the Usthi project locations. However, the Usthi schools are still exclusively open for the senior classes. At the beginning of 2021, it is not yet possible to speak of a return to normality within the Usthi projects.

Covid-19 case numbers are declining in India and the situation is also improving at the Usthi project sites. This allows all Usthi schools to continue to have their graduating classes studying in the classroom. For the younger students, however, it is still necessary to work from home. Schools are advised to prepare for the resumption of classroom teaching. At present, it is still unclear when this will actually take place.

Fortunately, since the end of 2020, the professional skills training courses in Hyderabad can take place again. At the end of January, the first young people who have completed a course after the long campus closure may now receive their graduation certificates.

In the Somagiri region, the tribal health centre is providing care to the surrounding areas. Under strict protective conditions the health network is travelling more and more to the villages again to provide medical care to the people. The childcare facilities of the Early Childhood Project (HEP) will remain closed until at least the end of the month. If possible, activities for infants take place at the families’ homes.

In the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, classroom teaching has been taking place again since last fall already. The project setup continues and the process of providing school children with school materials is in full swing. Usthi aims to achieve school attendance for the children supported by Usthi as soon as possible.

Usthi hopes for the resumption of face-to-face classes for all Usthi school children very soon, as in many cases the conditions for learning at home are challenging. Nevertheless, Usthi is proud of the flexibility with which our project partners and the children in the projects are coping with this difficult time.