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The impact of EG on ECF

MSC archived stories - July 10, 2020

You may have seen Debbie Gibson*, singer, long-time sponsor and spokesperson for CI campaigning to raise funds through ECF (Emergency Community Fund) – to help support families struggling due to loss of income resulted from Covid pandemic. The fund has also been used to provide additional support for families most impacted by the recent cyclone in Kolkata, India.

Neha's WG follow-up report has arrived this week in record 10wks turnaround! CI is currently only able to send $50 (total $60) per youth in India because it is difficult for the one parent who is allowed to shop to carry the food home.

 

As the field staffs are working hard to get the funds to the families as quickly as possible, I'm hoping that the support they receive from sponsors directly via EG (Extra Gift) has helped support more families and lasting longer via ECF combined with any savings made through closure of the CI centers.

 

A detailed list of purchased food and hygiene items by the family can always be expected from CI India. Almost all were non-perishables like rice, wheat flour, varieties of pulses – among them was a favorite of mine, Soya nuggets, rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. Being geographically close to Sri Lanka, I believe our Soya meat curry** may have found its origins in Kolkatan cuisines.

 

Whether or not Neha was aware of her new sponsor at the time of receiving this WG, the mother expressed her noble gesture of appreciation saying..

"We are able to buy groceries for two months with your support. That's a big help and we are grateful to you for it. We are doing well here for this help. Hope you too are fine with your family. Thanks to all of you, dear sponsor."

 

I think that both EG and ECF have certainly contributed to the survival of local economies and jobs in the grocery sector during the pandemic, but how it impacted the creation of alternative jobs for those families who lost their livelihoods remains yet to be seen.

 

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* youtu.be/cB4HpFiPHA0

** youtu.be/lpl9YtQTrVw

Comments

  1. chelaka25 March 2025 at 00:26

    How wonderful that you were able to provide Neha essential food staples...and it will be wonderful when you and Neha can write real letters and get to know each other and continue to explore your common interests!

    July 11, 2020

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  2. chelaka25 March 2025 at 00:26

    Thanks Liro! My WG are always open ended choice for the child/family to make, so that I will have a glimpse of their situation firsthand, learned from items purchased and photos. I just wrote all of the children my first 'group letter' on the back of my post titled 'Let their creativity shine!' (dated March 28, 2020). One of the advantages of writing online for me is that I managed to fit 420 words into 2 pages, otherwise it'd have taken 3-4 pages per letter by hand! Yes, both of us have very similar interests, even during childhood my parents used to take me to Hindu temples in SL for poojas.

    July 12, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  3. chelaka25 March 2025 at 00:27

    In this post, I wanted to learn how EG are really helping CI in terms of supporting families through ECF. Logistics around this can be different from one place to another, but essentially rather than distributing aid in equal quantities, I believe ECF will supplement any extra needs of those receiving EG support.

    July 12, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka25 March 2025 at 00:27

    It may also be possible that the donations we are sending now eliminate the need for the field agency to use the Emergency Fund for those families who receive our EG's..This would increase the funds available for families who do not have sponsor support and for those families whose children have no sponsor. Regardless of how funds are allocated during COVID-19 and in the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan, I'm sure it is an accounting nightmare!

    July 12, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka25 March 2025 at 00:27

    Absolutely, Nancy. Not all sponsors might be able to afford an EG when everyone is affected one way or another by this pandemic, so at least they will have some comfort in knowing that others EG can help bring relief to their children (and the ones waiting) too. CI told me they are swamped with EG processing right now!

    July 12, 2020

    ReplyDelete

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