As part of a continuous effort to protect vulnerable children and communities from the spread of the COVID-19 virus in rural India, a successful COVID-19 medical kit distribution event was organized by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF) and Ashamant Foundation at the Rural Hospital of Mahda, in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. The distribution campaign provided COVID- 19 kits to the rural hospital of Mahda as well as to 30 villages of the Solapur district.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in the state, only 100 people were allowed in the event. Out of the 30 villages, representatives of 10 villages were invited to receive the medical kits personally. These representatives were members of the villages’ Gram Panchayats, Gram Sevak, Sarpanch, as well as ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers. Whereas, the rest 20 villages were visited by the KSCF and Ashamant Foundation team to distribute the COVID-19 kits.

The campaign started at 11:30 AM and was graced by the popular presence of Chief Guest Mr. Babanraoji Shinde (MLA) of the government of Maharashtra, along with Mr. Dhanajirao Sathe (former MLA), Shri Sham Buwa (API) of Mahda Police Station, Shri Prasadji Tathe (Coordinator of the KSCF) and Shri Ashok Lunawat. The event lasted for two hours, and saw the Covid-19 kits being given from the hands of Mr. Shinde to the Gram heads of the villages and to Dr. Thorat (TMO) and Dr Vhankalas of the Rural Hospital. Mr. Shinde expressed his gratitude to the work done by the KSCF for child protection and offered his support to the organization, especially for children with hearing and speech impairments. He also emphasized the importance of the villages using the COVID-19 medical kits to stop the spread of the virus and suggested ASHA and Anganwadi workers to visit houses for COVID-19 testing and ensure correct and proper usage of the medical kits.