Help Mangaltai give 150 abandoned HIV+ orphans life-saving care, education and a loving home

“During a visit to a nearby village, I found two abandoned babies left to die in a cowshed. Visibly fragile and covered in dirt, the condition of the little ones left me in shock. Moved by the sight, I inquired in the area and was told that these babies were left there by their own family after they were diagnosed with HIV. I immediately brought the babies back home. This was in 2001 and that marked the beginning of a two-decade-long struggle to save abandoned HIV+ children from dying on the streets,” says 70-year-old Mangal Shah, fondly addressed as tai by her 150 adopted grandchildren. 

Mangaltai founded Palawi with a mission to give abandoned HIV+ children a second chance at life and, more importantly, to right the wrongs that society had done to them. For over two decades, she has rescued hundreds of children off the streets and given them the love they were denied for no fault of theirs. She has given the children life-saving medical care and education while helping them lead normal lives.

“It does not cost us money to give them the love they deserve, but the cost of medical care, food, shelter, and education is more than what I can shoulder on my own and I need urgent help,” pleads Mangaltai. Help 70-year-old Mangaltai save the lives of her 150 HIV+ grandchildren. Donate now. 

Every child deserves a future

Hailing from the predominantly rural area of Pandharpur in Maharashtra, Mangaltai faced countless challenges and opposition from people in the area. “I was often told that these children are HIV+ and they are not going to survive long. What is the point of wasting money, time and effort behind them,” recalls Mangaltai. “But I told everyone I am not going to give up on any of these children. Every child deserves love and care. Every child deserves to have a chance at a future,” she adds. Narrating a story about a 5-year-old boy Mangaltai says, “We rescued 5-year-old Pranay (name changed) from a nearby village in 2005. He was severely malnourished, sick and had a gaping wound on his head. Seeing the baby’s condition and the maggot-infested wound, doctors gave him six months to live. But Pranay is now 22 years old, he is financially independent and leading a normal life with dignity. What would have happened if I gave up on him?” 

Mangaltai has faced severe discrimination all along her journey with Palawi, owing to her work and for standing up for the rights of HIV+ kids. She was driven out of schools when she tried to get admissions for her children. “The discrimination against our children was such that they were not even allowed to set foot in any of the schools in this area. We were left with no choice but to start a school of our own,” says Mangaltai.

The healing power of love

According to Mangaltai, the love that children of Palawi receive is one of the strongest factors in their recovery and healthy childhood. “We are there for these kids throughout the day. These kids have low immunity and are prone to illness. Which is why we need to be extremely cautious. We need to have regular health check-ups to ensure they are safe and healthy. But all of this comes at a cost. A cost that I alone can not take care of,” Mangaltai says. 

Help Mangaltai change the lives of hundreds of abandoned HIV+ orphans and give them a loving home, medical care and education, so they too can live fulfilling lives in future. Donate now.