In an endeavour towards rebuilding the lives of millions of migrant workers, who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, the Jesuit Conference of India (JCI) is organising “FUN RUN 2020” – One 
Step for Migrants-—a virtual event. The FUN RUN 2020 is a virtual Run/Walkathon to generate awareness and also support the cause of millions of distressed migrant workers in India. It is being organised in partnership with the Jesuit Educational Association of South Asia (JEASA), Jesuit Higher Education Association of South Asia (JHEASA) and Jesuit Alumni Associations of India (JAAI). The event is scheduled to be held on 19-20 September 2020. The online registration is open and participants can register till the midnight of 18 September 2020.
Migrant workers have been one of the most affected sections of the society during the lockdown and post-lockdown situations. During the on-going pandemic, the country has witnessed images of migrant workers, including the elderly, pregnant ladies, lactating mothers, people with disabilities, children and youth, carrying their reality on their heads, starved and exhausted, marching relentlessly only to return to their native villages. With poverty back home and new challenges to livelihood, many are now returning to cities again. At the same time millions of these workers remain uncertain of their future, and are spending days and nights worrying about what life will unfold for them next, while overcoming the memories of lockdown and difficulties they faced during the last few months.
What makes the FUN RUN 2020 event unique is that it is not just a run or walk event. Fun Run has an interesting array of activities for participants like Relay Run, Miles Together, Vocal4Local, I Burn – They Earn and Direct Connect. Participants can run or walk or do any other creative activity they choose at their pace and space. They can be creative and upload their videos of activities done on social media platforms. They also get a chance to become a winner. While participating in the event and exhibiting solidarity towards the cause of migrant workers, participants can make voluntary contribution, apart from sharing the information about this event among their friends, family and neighbours to create awareness about the issues of migrants.
Participants can register for Fun Run 2020 at: https://events.jesuitconferenceofindia.org/
Jesuit Conference of India (JCI), registered as “not for profit organisation” in India, has been doing pioneering and exemplary work in areas of education, social development and empowerment since 1978. JCI has centres across India working in the areas of Supplementary Education for Disadvantaged Children, Skill Development, Ecology, Peace and Reconciliation and Disaster-related initiatives. It works with the most excluded, vulnerable and marginalised sections of society across the country, and is committed to engage with the community on pertinent issues including providing quality education to all, supporting the youth to be future ready, living with awareness to take care of our environment, caring for migrants, establishing peace and harmony, working for people’s entitlement and responding to disasters. JCI is part of an international organisation of Jesuits with a presence in the South Asian countries. Its engagement with migrants has been of one decade. In the context of COVID-19 and aftermath, it has reached to over 3 lakh distressed migrants and families. It has also initiated an online campaign called #V4MIGRANTS.
