To our generous supporters of the children at Angels’ Place:
We write with an update concerning the management of Angels’ Place during the Coronavirus quarantine. The state of Manipur, where Angels’ Place is located, has largely been isolated from the pandemic, and the children are all doing fine. Only two cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Manipur, and one of those later tested negative. Staff members continue to live at Angels’ Place in order to maintain the facility, and everything remains in good working order. The lemongrass crop will not be harmed or neglected during this time, and we expect harvest in either late May or early June.
As we wrote in our last message, the children are currently with their legal guardians. Since the children came to Angels’ Place from desperate conditions, James Connection is working with Angels’ Place staff in order to provide food for the children during the time of home quarantine. Rice and daal have been purchased and distributed to the children through their legal guardians. The amount of food is comparable to what Angels’ Place normally buys during a month, and so the expense is consistent with normal operating expenses for the orphanage.
The children’s guardians visit Angels’ Place and pick up the rice and daal on a weekly basis if they are able. In the event that a guardian cannot pick up the food but lives nearby, then the food is delivered. Angels’ Place staff is in contact with the government about the prospect of delivering food to the children who come from villages farther away. We are grateful to be able to continuing supporting the children in this way, and this direct food aid will relieve their families of food anxiety during such a difficult time.
We still do not have any clear schedule for the return of the children to Angels’ Place. The lockdown order in India had been extended through early May, and we will communicate any plans for the children’s return as soon as we learn them. As these children are among the most destitute young people in the area, we are eager to have them return as soon as possible in order to provide the full range of support that Angels’ Place has to offer.
We are including with this message a series of photos that show the storage of rice at Angels’ Place and that show the guardians coming to pick up the food. We are grateful to know that the children are safe and are receiving adequate food during this time, but we look forward to their return as soon as it is safe and feasible. We thank you for your ongoing support. The operation of Angels’ Place and the nourishment of these children, in body and spirit, remains our ongoing mission. You generosity will help us to care for these children who live in such vulnerable circumstances.
With prayers for strength and lovingkindness in order to meet this time of need,
The James Connection
