Chapter 4: Conclusion

4CHAPTER

Conclusion

On the whole, lockdown has been very hard for everyone, especially for the children and residential staff who had been confined to the Rainbow Homes during the lock down period. The instant decision making and time responses by the organization and relentless support of Rainbow’s care givers in the wake of this crisis helped children to cope up better. However, the experiences shared by Rainbow children and care givers during pandemic emergency cannot be generalized as all the coordination and decision making to face the sudden havoc caused by the pandemic were done at a very short period of time, leaving some loopholes. Yet, the hidden impacts of COVID on the children in general and children of CCIs in particular are to be fully understood.

In terms of improved preparedness of the CCI themselves, this study leaves the scope for planning with intensive training and coaching for the caregivers for better handling of children in future disaster situations. Studies explicitly evidence (Howes et al, 2008; Mashburn and Pianta et al, 2008, Ruzek et al, 2014), that high quality caregiver-children interactions especially emotional support and instructional practices are crucial for increased social competence and reduced behavioural problems among children (Burchinal, Vandergift et al, 2010; Curby et al, 2013). In another intervention study in Latin America depicted improved caregiver-children interaction characterized by sensitive response and positive children development subsequent to staff training schemes (Lecannelier et al. 2014; McCall et al. 2010).

Despite most of the care givers interviewed for this study showed tremendous resilience in taking additional responsibilities during lock down phase in engaging children with various activities as well as executing changed schedules and practices imposed due to closure of schools and stay-at-home order. However, interaction with staff revealed a need for work-life balance and safeguard decent work interests for caregivers and provide adequate support services for their dependents as vouchsafed under Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all). This is because caregivers are also susceptible to work exhaustion and need time to rejuvenate.

The voices of children from different places have flagged several issues for consideration of the key stakeholders who are directly or indirectly engaged in amelioration of children in street situations. Therefore, apart from the CCIs themselves, the policy makers, concerned Governments and funding organizations also need to consider these issues while planning to deal with any future crisis as this will gradually build up clearer and authentic understanding about the perception of primary stakeholders making it easier to bring changes and preparedness. These voices also reveal about the agendas to be at the core of all further crisis planning and responses towards child protection which include, interventions to handle emotional distress, strengthen life skills and developmental assets, emphasise self-efficacy, among others. Policy makers should step up adopting policies and long-term core funding to holistically address impact of COVID to support children from disadvantaged communities. The policies should also give clear understanding on how smaller, local organisations can access such funding at the wake of any future crisis.

Besides, the Corporate sectors should step up to support community organizations in partnership with them, ensuring their technology, knowledge and innovations benefits those organizations. In view of the remarkable transition that organisations like Rainbow Homes have made in providing online services during lockdown, the corporate funders and tech companies should consider extending support the future of digital world. These funders should enable organizations to apply for digital infrastructure costs such as equipment, where organizations currently are not able to access funds from any source.

It is hoped that support from all stakeholders would help regain the momentum of development process thwarted by the pandemic and the techniques for improvements of health and education of children in the street situation will result in better wellbeing conditions.