Food Relief with Blue Diamond Society

Blue Diamond Society and Grow worked together during the economic lockdown. The collaboration was conducted to provide food relief packages to the LGBTIQ+ community in Kathmandu.

With "Together We Can" in mind, Grow worked with Pinky Gurung to identify friends in need to provide food packages containing, rice, lentils, salt, oil and soap. Relief packages were provided to help sustain the wellbeing of the LGBTIQ+ community that have lost their jobs and income opportunities. In total 40 people were provided with supplies.

Pinky Gurung spoke about issues that the community was facing in Kathmandu due to the loss of employment opportunities. The LGBTIQ+ community is a marginalized community that has a great deal of stigma around it. This stigma has resulted in misunderstandings by people which has resulted in fewer economic opportunities, and if available, early termination of employment in times of uncertainty like COVID-19.

She adds, " Our friends are given a cold shoulder by the society and the government also hasn’t been able to give us a recognition in the country. So, a lot of our friends who are daily wage earners and friends who work as sex workers, have been affected by the lockdown. They have no other source of income and has been difficult for survival. It’s a constant battle every morning and night. Landowners are demanding rent and they are not being able to pay for it. Life has become very uncertain and mental health has taken a toll on our friends."