Actor Sanya Malhotra joins a child welfare initiative

Children are among the biggest victims of Covid-19. According to The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, over 1 lakh children lost one or both of their parents during the Covid-19 pandemic leaving children orphaned partially or entirely or abandoned by relatives. The crisis is having a deep impact on the wellbeing and healthcare of children.

The Body Shop India, an activist and global beauty brand, held a virtual event to introduce #LightALittleLife. This initiative is aimed at providing sustainable support for children who have lost their parents, caregivers and family livelihoods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The launch event was joined by actor, Sanya Malhotra as the Chief Brand Advocate of The Body Shop, India.

The children living in Child Care Institutions and centres are severely impacted due to lack of essential items such as dry rations, personal care products and medical facilities.

Light A Little Life aims to support such disadvantaged children impacted by COVID-19. The Body Shop has partnered with Miracle Foundation India to provide vital education and healthcare support for these children. This initiative will provide school supplies, coaching, tutor support; internet connectivity for online learning; timely medical tests, prescriptions, supplements; access to quality healthcare inclusive of emergency healthcare.

At the event, Shriti Malhotra, CEO, The Body Shop India said, “We need to build programmes to create impact at the grassroots where it is needed the most. When looking into a cause as sensitive and delicate as children who have lost their families due to covid – it becomes crucial that we are open to conversations that help us understand the problem and build a program that makes a difference to help these precious little lives. Our conversations today will be the main source of our collective actions– varied thoughts, voices and contributions are what can really bring about collective change so all of us, in our capacities can contribute to create a more just & equitable future for these children.”

The Body Shop India is raising funds at all of its points of sale, including its 200+ retail stores and online store by accepting voluntary customer donations of at least INR 20. Over the next five months, the brand hopes to raise consciousness, match every customer donation, and raise a minimum of INR 2 million for the children of Miracle Foundation.

Sanya Malhotra, Chief Brand Advocate passionately shared her insights. “I believe that change starts from within ourselves and our own surroundings. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity of portraying strong female characters in my field of work, thus prompting the underlying conversations around role of women in families, about the freedom to make choices and gender empowerment in our society. I strongly advocate these conversations about the issues that affect vulnerable children & families. I urge everyone to collectively come forward to participate, create dialogues and contribute towards Light a Little Life program and bring as much positive change as possible.”

India Country Head for Miracle Foundation India, Nivedita Das Gupta said: “The impact of the pandemic on children is multifold. While we can quantify the number of children, the numerous issues they face, right from emotional turmoil, lack of food, loss of education etc certainly creates a sense of unease, uncertainty among them. The need of the hour is for each one of us to understand our responsibility and contribute towards filling this gap and ensuring that children are protected and supported. Children are at the heart of our foundation, each program is made for them in a way that helps ensure holistic development. Our aim is to rebuild the roofs over their heads with kindness, love and care thus giving way to a future where they can excel and thrive in their chosen paths.”