The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a temporary closure of most schools and child development centers around the world. So, what have children done with their spare time?

Read on to learn how two students in Bangladesh are filling their days while waiting for schools to reopen.

Abhik*, age 13, attends a local Nazarene child development center. While his center has been closed, he’s been helping his father in their agricultural fields. “During these pandemic days, most often I have taken care of domestic cattle and chickens,” he says. Abhik also joined his father in planting rice in their field. When there is time for leisure activities, Abhik enjoys creating colorful kites by hand and seeing how high they can fly.

 But like most school-age children, Abhik misses attending the Nazarene child development center nearby. Seeing his friends there and working together on their schoolwork always made the time worthwhile. While the center has been closed, staff have been in touch with children and their families through socially distanced visits and food pack distributions. 

The staff at Abhik’s center also made sure to explain to children how to avoid infection from the virus. He explains how he took these trainings to heart.  “I was concerned to raise awareness about COVID-19 among my neighbors and other villagers so that they could keep themselves safe and maintain their health and hygiene protocols,” he says. “As they are my friends and relatives, I always encourage them to keep social distance while they gather. Everyone appreciates my concern. I feel very blessed as I have learned this guidance from my center teachers.”

Leela*, age 12, also attends a child development center. Embroidery has become a creative outlet during the lockdown, outside the time she spends helping the family with cooking, household chores, and caring for their cows. Leela has used her embroidery skills as a way to contribute to the family. “I have started designing embroidery on clothes for clients to order,” she shares. “In this lockdown, I have learned this work from my mother and a neighbor.” Leela is working toward the skills needed to design an entire embroidered dress for herself. 

When she isn’t sewing or helping around the house, Leela fills her time by playing outside with cousins, drawing pictures, and reading. She expresses how much she misses her friends at the center, and the activities available to the children there. Like Abhik, Leela has also shared the COVID-19 health precautions she learned early in the pandemic with her family and neighbors. 

Every day, Leela’s family prays for her sponsor. They’re grateful for the donations which allow their center to issue them food packs and hygiene products during the lockdown. Above all, Leela prays that the world will soon heal from this pandemic.

There are many children around the world waiting for sponsors. If you’d like to support a child living in poverty by providing financial aid, spiritual encouragement, and friendship, click here to learn more.

 *Children’s names are changed for protection.