Vulnerable children need special attention

Caring for the most marginalized and vulnerable has from time immemorial been a central concern for religious communities. This impulse is manifested in countless ways. In the broad demands presented by the COVID-19 crisis, the risk of blindness to the need for care to marginalized groups like orphans and street children is real. Dr. Kezevino Aram (Shanti Ashram, Religions for Peace, and KAICIID) hopes for both an immediate focus on vulnerable children and a strengthening, looking ahead, of an ethos of care:

"My mind also has been dominated by the precipitous effect the pandemic will have on vulnerable children, children whose lives are dictated by the daily wages of their parents...  Let us also actively build on the spirit of solidarity and think of how and where we can build the safety nets for vulnerable children and elders. ... As global citizens and members of our faith communities locally, we have a responsibility to our people... Let’s re-imagine ‘care’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. Faith helps to meet the challenges we are currently experiencing; and we must share this with our children, youth and the community. Standing together during these difficult times is a choice we make!! As my faith tradition teaches me, ‘If we learn to live together, there are a million blessings to share.'" 

(Based on March 2020 essay by Dr. Kezevino Aram)