Written by Saving Moses Communication’s Coordinator, McKenzie Thompson
The news about the global COVID-19 outbreak spread almost as fast as the virus itself, but several questions were left unanswered. Where did it originate? When will it be over? Will I lose my job? Questions like these have flooded the minds of people all over the world, and in a time of uncertainty such as this, it’s easy to get scared or worried.
This virus has affected millions of people’s health and their businesses, jobs, educations, graduations, vacations, weddings, and so much more. This pandemic has hugely inconvenienced me, as well. It’s disappointing and discouraging for all of us. We have all been affected in different ways that deserve attention and warrant valid emotions regarding the effects of COVID-19. Still, I want us to take a second and look at this through the eyes of the world’s most vulnerable population.
I can’t stop thinking about the babies and toddlers around the world who are suffering every day of their lives, pandemic or not. I think about the little ones whose mothers work in the sex industry as their only means of providing. The babies who go to work with their mothers in brothels, get left at home alone, roam the streets with the possibility of being stolen until their mother returns, or stay with an abusive neighbor or family member. That is the life they’re used to but add a global pandemic on top, and it becomes even more of an unimaginable living condition.
Since the mothers in the sex industry are not able to work during this time, they are left even more vulnerable than before, with no money to buy everyday essentials for themselves, let alone their babies. No income, combined with no healthcare access, makes it extremely hard to survive in general, but nearly impossible with this pandemic. The virus is more likely to transmit in brothels and slums, so even after the curve lowers, there will be a prolonged waiting time for the mothers to return to work.
If a mother can’t provide for herself, she can’t provide for her children. Those babies living in a prominent red-light district are relocating to their relatives’ places, which increases the risk of abuse, neglect, or trafficking. What is the right answer? What happens to these families?
Saving Moses’ whole mission is to provide care where the need is most urgent, and the help is least available. We know how vulnerable the babies who attend our NightCare centers are, so when this pandemic hit, we knew we had to do more. They can always get food, formula, clean clothes, a bed, and more at NightCare, but when the social distancing rules took effect, a temporary plan had to be put in place to combat these new obstacles.
We are now providing mothers and their babies with Care Boxes that include essential items such as diapers, formula, food, and soap. Throughout the week, mothers [or fathers] bring their babies to our centers to get their Care Box. Upon arrival, the NightCare nannies meet them at the door with masks on, take their temperature, and sanitize their hands. Then, they hand them a FREE Care Box with all the items they need to make their lives a little easier. We have seen such a positive reaction from the mothers regarding the impact of these Care Boxes.
One mother told us…
“Thank you, Saving Moses, for providing free food, milk, diapers, vitamins, soap, shampoo, and other supplies to my baby during this time of desperate need. Because of the impact of COVID-19, I have no work or money to buy food for my baby. Without this organization, I don’t know what or where I would be now.”
This somehow breaks and warms my heart at the same time. I have a job, a safe place to sleep, and food to eat. There are millions of mothers and babies who struggle every day to find shelter. I had to see this through their perspective to fully empathize with them about the horrible effects of this virus.
Saving Moses sees them. They aren’t left behind or forgotten.
Saving Moses goes into the places where many others won’t and restores hope in the lives of so many. We see that every day when babies come running into our centers with smiles on their faces and can rest peacefully in their little beds, knowing they are safe for the night.
If you’re looking for ways to make a difference in this challenging time, please consider donating $25 for a Care Box. The mother’s story above is just 1 of several mothers who have been positively impacted by receiving a Care Box. You can be the difference. Start today. Contact [email protected] for more information on how you can help.
