"My son used to kick me when he was in my womb. Why make an issue when he kicked me in my old age?" reasons a very forgiving Shakti Dasi. The widow travelled 2300 kms from Tripura to Vrindavan after her only son violently beat her with a burning plank of wood and broke her knee one evening. She had to leave behind the business she had built with her husband who had died a few years back. Shakti ended up on the streets of Brindavan begging for food and shelter. But when Winnie Singh of Maitri saw Shakti in a frail state in tattered clothes, she brought her to the shelter home where Shakti gets food, care and medicines. What more, with Maitri’s intervention, Shakti reconciled with her son - and daughter-in-law, and now travels home to Tripura twice a year to spend time with her grandchildren. But she is not leaving Maitri, as this has become her family.Not every elderly widow who comes to Vrindavan after being abandoned by her family gets as lucky as Shakti. Many of them often end up living a lonely life and begging to survive on the streets. Maitri aspires to take care of every widow in need of help.<img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/ce101369-528c-4d37-bc1d-1118b9925af3.jpg" />Maitri’s Project Jeevan to the rescueAbandoned, elderly widows are the amongst the most vulnerable in India. After being thrown out of their often abandoned by their own children and are forced to beg for food and shelter. “Through Project Jeevan, Maitri houses aging widow mothers in two ashrams in Vrindavan and Radhakund (Mathura), providing them with wellness and well-being. The programme also reaches out to widow mothers beyond the ashrams with fruit, milk and healthcare services,” explains Winnie Singh, co-founder and executive director, Maitri India.Save homeless elderly widows from begging on the streetsMost widows who make their way to Vrindavan are abandoned by their families, often after years of abuse. They come here hoping they will spend the rest of their days in prayer and devotion. But most live in impoverished conditions on the streets and in dingy rooms. Since poor living conditions often cause a wide range of health ailments, including respiratory infections and chronic conditions, Maitri comes to their rescue through its Project Jeevan.The project aims to:<ul><li>Provide meals leading to improved health and wellbeing</li><li>Make physical and mental health services accessible</li><li>Offer necessary quality aged care and assisted living support</li><li>Increase awareness on and engagement around the struggles of abandoned widow mothers</li></ul><img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/1abfb906-563b-4747-85b8-8af2071a2856.jpg" />Project Jeevan needs your support to help those in need of food, healthcare and well-being. Donate now.“Maitri urgently needs your support to provide food, clothing and healthcare to sustain these widow mothers who are prone to more illnesses as they age,” appeals Winnie.Maitri believes in a woman’s right to dignity in life and death, more so a mother. Our help will enable Maitri to save hundreds of abandoned widows from a life of begging, and restore the respect, dignity, and identity they deserve.

Save abandoned, elderly widow mothers of Vrindavan from begging on streets

For a mother who has spent her entire life loving and raising her child, being beaten and mercilessly thrown out onto the streets by her own son is too heartbreaking to overcome. But this is a common story among the elderly residents of the Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. “I’ve seen mothers in old and torn clothes, their bodies smelling and their hands and feet rotting and covered in maggots,” shares Dr. G.P. Bhagat, founder of the ashram. These abandoned elderly men and women lay starving on the streets hoping for someone to rescue them from their suffering. But most people walk past them without a second glance. “Like this”, Dr. Bhagat explains, “many elders die on the roads.”Since 2003, SHEOWS (Saint Hardyal Educational and Orphans Welfare Society) has rescued over 10,000 elderly people from the streets and given them a home with care and support. The elderly staying at the ashram have all been abandoned by their families and have nowhere else to live. Your support can give them comfort after their abandonment. Donate now.Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India). Safe and loving homeFor 20 years, SHEOWS has been providing free shelter, nutritious food three times a day, clothing, medical care, recreation activities and emotional support to abused and disabled elderly people rescued from the streets of Delhi. The Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram has a dedicated rescue team that saves the elderly from the streets and gives them immediate medical care upon their arrival at the home. To tend to the multiple health complications of the seniors, the home has a medical facility with doctors and nurses, a physiotherapy unit, a pathology lab, a digital X-ray monitoring machine and a pharmacy to provide 24-hour care to older adults anytime they require assistance, even during emergencies. Dr. Bhagat prioritizes the health of the seniors and ensures that they receive three balanced meals a day based on their precise health requirements. Need for the fundraiserThe humanitarian mission of SHEOWS is making an impact in the area, as more and more people are being rescued and brought to Guru Vishram Vridh Ashram. To meet the financial costs of running the home, SHEOWS needs support to continue providing the residents with all the facilities that they need. This includes constant care and round-the-clock medical attention, nutritious food and maintaining a hygienic environment to keep the seniors in comfort and good health. Dr. Bhagat explains that as the number of residents is increasing, SHEOWS needs support for food and medicines. “I request you to help these elderly parents lead a peaceful life.”Donate now to help Dr. Bhagat continue caring for the 500 destitute elderly and giving them shelter, food, medical care and the will to carry on living despite their tragic abandonment by their families. Your support will enable SHEOWS to keep serving abandoned senior citizens and help them recover from the trauma of abandonment and life on the streets. “I have been serving these elderly as if they were my own parents”, shares Dr. Bhagat. “I want only one thing - their tears should vanish and they should have a smile on their faces.” To help Dr. Bhagat achieve this dream, your support is critical. Donate now to help SHEOWS care for more abandoned elderly. Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest online donation platform, to support SHEOWS in their mission to rescue the abandoned elderly from the streets and give them shelter, food, medical care, recreational activities and emotional support.

Help Dr. Bhagat care for 500+ elderly parents rescued from abuse and homelessness

In the dark and dingy alleys of red light areas, injustice, pain and suffering run rampant. And the worst affected are the children who grow up in red-light areas and are subjected to constant abuse and violence. “The sight of a 12-year-old girl being gang-raped by a group of men near a house l haunts me to this date. I was filled with anguish and resolved to do something,” says Girish Kulkarni who has made it his life’s mission to rescue children from red light areas and give them a safe and secure childhood. In the last 3 decades Girish has saved over 1100 girls from a life of abuse in red-light areas, giving them a loving home, education and medical care. He has further supported over 20,000 children with a better life.Sadly, 250 of the children rescued from abuse and exploitation are HIV positive. The high cost of medication has left Girish struggling for funds. Your support can help him provide these children with the care and upbringing they need. Donate now.Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India), &amp; 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (USA). A movement to protect vulnerable children“Growing up in Ahmednagar, the experiences I had as a child witnessing the horrors of sex trade defined the path of my life. I had even seen my friend’s 15-year-old sister and 70-year-old grandmother being forced to do sex work for the price of a cup of tea”, recalls Girish. “I started by merely feeding and teaching children of sex workers initially with the intention of giving them some respite from the horrors of life of abuse in red-light areas. Gradually more and more mothers started coming to me and asked me to take their children away, even if it was just for a couple of hours,” he further adds.The work that Girish started in his youth gradually grew to become a movement, with many more joining his cause. His NGO Snehalaya to date has transformed the lives of millions. Girish’s work is crucial for the survival and safety of vulnerable children of sex workers. Snehalaya is almost entirely dependent on donations from the public and your support can strengthen his mission to save children most in need. Donate generously.The horrors of life in red light areas“The cruelty and abuse that children as young as 6 or 7 years of age face is something that I can’t explain in words. Young daughters of sex workers are made to watch their mothers being raped, are brutally assaulted and forced into sex work. No child deserves to grow like this, Girish says in anguish.Sad reality of life for children growing up in red light areas is that they are deprived of even the most basic needs like proper food, safety and education. Moreover, a majority of children rescued by Girish are diagnosed HIV positive. The task of securing medication, providing them quality education and much needed nutrition is one that requires constant support from donors. Moreover, the increase in healthcare cost has left Girish struggling to keep his home for children going. But your support can enable him to give his children a loving environment and save many more who still remain trapped behind closed doors.Donate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help Snehalaya give hundreds of children rescued from red-light areas a life away from violence and abuse.

Help Girish give 250 HIV+ children, rescued from abuse in red-light areas a new life

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Children of India Foundation (CIF) is a registered Non-Profit Organisation with its roots in Coimbatore, India, serving the most vulnerable children and the communities in the country. Functioning from a branch office in Bangalore, CIF has collaborated with Terre des Hommes Netherlands to combat Child Exploitation in India.

Donations through Give Foundation, registered under section 80G of India's Income Tax Act, 1961 are tax-deductible.

Donations through Give Foundation, Inc. a registered US 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, are tax-deductible.

Donations through GIVE, a registered charity in UK, are covered under Gift Aid

Thangaperumal P

Anne Priya 

CHILDREN OF INDIA FOUNDATION

This nonprofit is registered as a charitable trust under section 12A of India's Income Tax Act, 1961.

This nonprofit is registered under section 80G of India's Income Tax Act, 1961. This means you can deduct 50% of the donation you made through your tax return.

This nonprofit is registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010. This means it can accept donations from foreign nationals.

Raghav Menon

Our mission of rescuing and educating the victims of the terrible Devadasi system wouldn't be possible without our dedicated donors. An enormous thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your help in ending this evil practice. With the funds received, we've provided 250 school bags and schoolbooks to the affected children. These are expected to arrive soon and help end the vicious cycle of poverty and indignity. Despite our efforts, we need more help to combat the atrocious Devadasi practice. Donate now and save the lives of little girls who need your help.

Impact report

We are pleased to share the latest achievements in our ongoing efforts at Children of India Foundation (CIF), where your generous contributions have made a significant difference. Thanks to the funds we've received, we have been able to cover the educational expenses for 15 girls, providing them not only with school fees but also uniforms and books. This support is crucial, as it not only removes financial barriers to education but also equips these young girls with the tools they need to succeed in their studies and build a hopeful future. While we celebrate these achievements, the need for ongoing support remains critical. There are many more girls who are waiting for an opportunity to escape the harsh realities of their current lives and see a future filled with possibilities. See the impact of your efforts from the thank you note made by children who have benefitted from your support below. Your donations save lives. Make a differenceDonate now

Dear donors, thank you so much for your support! Your generosity is instrumental in our mission to rescue girls from sexual slavery, offering them education and employment opportunities. With your contributions, we have been able to support 85 girls thus far, yet we still need a minimum of Rs. 31,11,837 to extend educational support to all 500 girls in need. The impact of your donation goes beyond the individual; it provides a beacon of hope to an entire community trapped in the vicious cycle of Devadasi system. Through your continued support, we can break this cycle.&nbsp; Your contributions will enable us to rescue more girls from the clutches of exploitation and ensure they receive the education they deserve. Donate now and be part of the change!

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"It was dark inside, I was afraid the rocks would fall on me. And one day when I went in, a rock hit me and I got a huge cut on my leg.", says eight year old Varun*. Varun used to go to the Mica mines along with his parents to pick mica scraps. He would spend his entire day in the mines and visit these dark pits every day of the week. States of Bihar and Jharkhand in India produce 25% of the world's Mica. According to a report in 2018, in the Mica belt of these regions, approximately 10,394 children were reported to be out-of-school, with some engaged in Mica collection. Families of these children are extremely dependent on Mica collection for their livelihood and there are no additional means of earning a living.As the mica scrap collection is an unorganised sector, there is severe exploitation, leading to low wages. This plunges families into poverty and as a result, children are forced to work in the mines; collecting mica scraps from deep, dark pits in extremely hazardous conditions. 
 We address child labour in the Mica mines by working in 41 villages in 2 Mica dependent districts of Koderma and Giridih in Jharkhand. We work towards:<ul><li>Providing children with access to quality education - activity based learning, digital classes, mobile libraries </li><li>Providing children with study material, school supplies and bicycles</li><li>Providing additional means of livelihood to parents to build their economic capacity and reduce their mica dependence, organising them into self help groups to access a revolving fund - community led socio-economic development</li><li>Organising children into Children's Clubs where they are sensitised on child rights and encouraged to be agents of change in addressing problems of the children in their communities.</li><li>Providing families access to social welfare and social protection schemes of the Government </li><li>Sensiting communities on the ill effects of child labour and the importance of education, building capacities of child based institutions.</li></ul> 
 <blockquote>The project has a multidimensional approach to tackling the issue through various components.</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>Through the education component of the project, the impact we wish to create is :</blockquote><ul><li>Reduce the school dropout rates of children </li><li>Increase the enrolment of children in school </li><li>Keep the children joyfully and enthusiastically engaged in academic learning </li><li>Make the child's access to education convenient</li><li>Improve the academic performance of children</li><li>Ensure girls complete at least 10 years of schooling</li><li>Ensuring parents understand the value of education in their children's lives</li></ul>

Provide education support, address child labour

The Devadasi system is a practice deeply rooted in Indian tradition, where women   from  a certain lower caste community are dedicated to perform sexual favours to men as part of their role in society. Girls are dedicated as Devadasis at a young adolescent age and face immense sexual and socio-economic exploitation. A survey conducted by the Karnataka State Women's University in 2017 revealed that there are 80,000 Devadasis in the Karnataka state. Children of Devadasis are also prone for child marriage and other forms of exploitation. In most of the cases they are deserted soon and fall prey for sexual abuses of the Devadasi tradition.  Devadasi women and their families have been badly affected due to Covid-19. The immediate relief support provided by the Government in terms of free ration and cash transfers support is inadequate to recover &amp; rebuild their livelihoods. Given the current status, it will be difficult for these women to survive with no or low income from sex work and this situation may force them to engage their children also into sex work for living.  
 Our initiative aims at empowering 100 Children of Devadasis in Bagalkot district in Karnataka by imparting them with life &amp; livelihood skills. We intend to provide or facilitate them with market driven skills through vocational and livelihood training in different skills or trades including tailoring, office assistants, beauty parlours, etc resulting in meaningful employment or self-employment.In addition, we plan to provide these children with comprehensive literacy and  life skills training to help them lead a dignified and decent life.Essentially therefore, our solution is an integrated livelihood and life skills training program which primarily endeavours to empower children of Devadasis and, by extension, their equally disadvantaged Devadasi mother and her family. 
 <ul><li>Preventing new dedications of children</li><li>Preventing children of Devadasis from entering into prostituion</li><li>Preventing children from all forms of exploitation </li><li>Improved quality of life of children of Devadasis </li></ul>

Change Lives of Children of Devadasis in Bagalkot (North Karnataka) through Life and Livelihood Skills

The Devadasi System which began as a form of worship, is now a religious sanction given to prostitution in lower caste Devadasi families. It is an institutional exploitation of young girls and women in the name of culture and tradition marred by those with vested interests. This system results in the socio-economical and sexual exploitation of young girls who are dedicated as Devadasis post their puberty. Children of Devadasis who are not yet dedicated as sex workers are also extremely vulnerable to abuse, discrimination and exploitation.The lower caste Devadasi community's poor socio-economic condition as a result of years of exploitation, becomes a reason for the young girl get into sex work to make ends meet. She is left without any choice. 
 To address the issue, Children of India has been instrumental in facilitating the project Getting Out of the Devadasi System or Children GOOD. As part of the project, girls below 18 from Devadasi families who are vulnerable to and victims of exploitation across five districts of North Karnataka (Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Ballari and Koppala) are identified and grouped into Kishori Clubs (Children's Clubs) where they are sensitised on child rights, child protection, advocacy, life skills, enrolled in schools and facilitated in continuation of schooling. Another major intervention of the project has been to provide Vocational Skill Training to 50 girls of which 12 girls now have been placed in steady well paying jobs.Seeing the success of this initiative, the project plans to scale up its interventions and provide Vocational Skill training to girls in courses where the skills are in demand in the labour market of the region.The following is the action planned<ol><li>Vocation Skill training support to 150 girls in Fashion Design and Tailoring to work in the thriving jeans stitching industry in North Karnataka</li><li>Vocational Skill training support to 150 girls in an Officer Manager's source where the girl is taught computer skills for office operations. This skill is also in high demand in North Karnataka with many offices requiring labour with good computer skills.</li></ol> 
 The following will be the impact of the intervention <ol><li>Alternate source of livelihood for Devadasi families resulting in the young girl not needing to get into sex work to provide for the family</li><li>Increase in the socio-economic status of the young girl and her family where they move towards a better life</li></ol>

Vocational Skill training for 300 girls vulnerable to sexual exploitation

In South Karnataka, Divya* was married at the tender age of 14 like many girls in her village. By 17, she was a mother of two. “I had children early because that’s what we do,” she said. In a village in North Karnataka, thirteen-year-old Saira* was married to a driver and faced family pressure to have children and look after the house. She shared "I felt weak and tired. I was scolded for my inability to do household chores"Unfortunately, these stories are not uncommon. Each year, nearly 1.5 million girls in India get married before the age of 18, 23% of which are in Karnataka. (Source: Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights)Once married, these girls face immense amounts of pressure to have children, which poses a significant threat to their health. In India, the risk of maternal death for early married girls (EMGs) is double that of older females. This risk also transfers to the child, who is 50% more likely to be born stillborn or die within the first weeks of life than a baby born to an older mother. (Source: Girls Not Brides) These risks are heightened due to pre-existing issues like anaemia, which is common among young girls in villages.*Names have been changed to protect identities. 
 Despite the large number of Early Married Adolescent Girls (EMGs) in Karnataka and India, and the serious health risks related to their pregnancies, few organisations work to support these girls after marriage. In the last two years, Children of India Foundation (CIF) worked with over 120 community based organizations across Karnataka to reach 3,077 vulnerable EMGs through the project “Initiatives for Married Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment (IMAGE),” which provided support for them in multiple areas from sexual health and gender-based violence to skill-based training and education. CIF plans to use these established networks to address the maternal health crisis among EMGs in districts of Bidar, Belagavi and Bagakot in Karnataka by;1. Providing nutritional supplements to 510 married adolescent pregnant and lactating girls 2. Conducting awareness sessions to 191 pregnant adolescent girls on nutritional food, adverse effect of anemia and safe delivery process with communication materials, videos, audios.3. Conducting awareness sessions to 319 lactating adolescent mothers on importance of breastfeeding, growth chart of baby and healthy &amp; nutritional food requirement for the mother and the baby. 
 Following will be the impact of the project1. Improved reproductive health status of 510 pregnant and lactating married adolescent girls2. Improved HB level and reduction of anemia of 510 pregnant and lactating married adolescent girls3. Ensured safe delivery with healthy baby of 191 pregnant married adolescent girls4. Improved health condition of 319 lactating mother and the baby5. Ensured breast feeding to 319 baby and improved healthy condition of the babyWith your support, Children of India Foundation can provide 510 adolescent mothers the nutrition and awareness they need for safe pregnancies and deliveries. Providing supplements will increase their haemoglobin levels and cure their anaemic condition, reducing the risk of health problems to them and their child. Awareness sessions on maternal health will provide a safe space for adolescent mothers to learn and address their queries on the daunting challenges of pregnancy and motherhood. As a result, they will be equipped them to improve their health status.