The second wave of Covid-19 hit India and Nepal hard. Now, fortunately, the number of cases has been falling for several weeks and the situation has improved slightly. First regions have decided to ease the measures. This also applies to the Usthi project site Hyderabad.

Developments in India and Nepal are beginning to look a little more encouraging. The number of infections has been falling for several weeks. Whether the worst is over is hard to say. Individual regions, such as Puri, where Usthi runs the Penthakata School, are still severely affected. The greater spread in rural areas without medical infrastructure also raises fears of high numbers of unreported cases.

For the moment, however, a little normality is returning to some parts of India. In several Indian states and also in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, the lockdown was extended once again. In the Usthi project location Hyderabad, the lockdown was lifted on 10th June. This also allowed some project activities to be carried out.

After several inhabitants of the Usthi women’s shelters were able to complete their vocational training before the lockdown in April 2021, they were able to leave the Usthi project. Since the 12th of June, 29 young women could be newly accommodated in the project. On 14th of June, the professional skills training could be reopened under protective measures and new students could be welcomed.

On 14th June, the children and young people supported by Usthi in Hyderabad started the new school year. All classes are currently being taught online and at a distance again. The tutoring centres were also able to reopen and offer support in small groups and by phone.