In 2020, our world changed drastically with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are privileged to live in Australia as 2021 has seen us move into Covid normal settings allowing us to travel within Australia, meet family and friends and enjoy freedom of movement. 

At the same time, we recognise that other countries are still fighting Covid waves. We are watching with deep concern, sadness and a feeling of helplessness, the catastrophic second wave of COVID-19 wreaking havoc across India. We feel a deep affinity with India and look for ways we can support India to recover.

Aurora Early Education has partnered with TiE Melbourne, and we have explored ways in which we can make a meaningful difference. After much thought, we are recommending 2 initiatives:

  1. Almost every conversation with people in India has steadfastly pointed to one thing – the need for oxygen concentrators and tanks in hospitals, particularly in Delhi & surrounding areas, which have been the hardest hit. We are recommending a direct initiative by BRIDGES, an established Indian diaspora organisation in Singapore, to supply 200 units of oxygen concentrators to a new 1,000 bed COVID hospital in Delhi (built by the Indo Tibetan Border Police), and to the 300-bed Nehru Memorial Techno (COVID) Hospital in Kolkata. The target delivery date is May 15, 2021, and the total cost is US$100,000. Several alumni associations of the Indian Institute of Technology are backing this effort. BRIDGES have allocated a target of 50 units from Australian donations, so US$25,000. Unfortunately Australian donors are unable to claim any tax deductions as the initiative is based overseas, but we know that 100% of funds collected will be used to purchase and deliver the oxygen concentrators within a short timeframe.

    You can find the donation link here.
  2. For those who would like to claim tax deductible contributions, we are recommending UNICEF, who have a large established presence throughout India, and are doing amazing work to increase access to life-saving oxygen by delivering Oxygen Generation Plants to hospitals, providing rapid, accurate testing machines in some of the most affected districts and supporting the ongoing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX initiative.

    You can find the donation link here. 

Please come together with TiE Melbourne and its partner Aurora Early Education to join the effort! Aurora will be considering other ways we can raise funds to donate; we welcome our families inputs and participation. 

Have a trip to our Childcare Centre in Rowville and Childcare Centre in Melbourne CBD.