One evening in September 2018, Nethra’s alcoholic husband doused her in kerosene, set her on fire, locked the door from outside, and walked away. Hearing her wails, neighbours came to Nethra’s rescue and took her to a government hospital. Despite third-degree burns, Nethra survived after months in the hospital. But she became almost immobile. She could hardly move her hands or head as her chin was almost fused to the neck. She survived on liquid and semi-solid food as she couldn’t chew or close her mouth. “My face was so severely disfigured that my mother hid all the mirrors at home so that I would not see myself,” recalls Nethra. As the low-income family couldn’t afford proper after-care or reconstructive surgeries, Nethra was getting suicidal when Agni Raksha, a Bangalore-based NGO came to her rescue. After multiple surgeries at the NGO’s ‘Safe Haven,’ its critical care unit, Nethra is back on her feet. She is trained in tailoring and now works odd jobs and takes care of her two children.Like Nethra, most burn victims who come to Agni Raksha belong to low-income families and almost 95% of them are women. While some are victims of severe forms of domestic violence by husbands, others try to commit suicide by immolating themselves because of constant harassment. But due to the pandemic and lack of funds, Agni Raksha run by Dr Prema Dhanraj, a burn victim herself, had to shut its free critical surgeries unit. It has been a huge blow to burn victims from low-income families. You can help Dr Prema reopen her free burn surgeries unit. Agni Raksha- A beacon of hope for burn survivorsHeaded by Dr Prema Dhanraj, the NGO has treated over 18,000 burn victims in over 15 years. While the NGO continues to provide out-patient facilities for burn victims it had to shut down ‘Safe Haven’ its critical unit, because of a lack of funds after Covid.“Covid was a body blow for us as we had to close Safe Haven. We have the building, beds and other facilities, but we don’t have funds to pay doctors and support staff or buy critical care equipment and medicines. I feel very bad for victims who require emergency treatment, reconstructive surgery and post-operative care. The most heartbreaking thing for me is when some burn victims are brought here first thinking that we still run Safe Haven,” says Dr Prema.Help Dr Prema reopen Safe Haven and start providing critical care and carry out surgeries on burn victims. Donate now.As Dr Prema can no longer conduct reconstructive surgeries and post-operative care at Agni Raksha, she refers burn survivors to different hospitals with a letter pleading that her patients cannot afford the money. “I don’t always succeed in getting them free treatment in hospitals, but I try my best. I wish I could provide all the care they need at Agni Raksha,” says Dr Prema.Lifelong disability and disfigurements because of burns can also cause emotional problems such as depression, suicidal tendencies and nightmares. Many burn victims lose purpose in life. Keeping these things in mind, Agni Raksha provides psychological as well as vocational support so that burn survivors can go back to leading normal lives. In fact, 90% of the staff at Agni Raksha comprise burn survivors.Your donations can help hundreds of burn victims stay hidden away from the world as they cannot afford surgeries so they can lead a normal life. Donate now

Help Padma Shri winner Dr Prema Dhanraj provide women suffering from burn injuries with surgery and care

Saraswati Vishwakarma spends her day in and out of a public hospital in Mumbai since her niece was admitted there. On most days she goes hungry and sometimes a small vada pav is all that she can afford to eat in the entire day. Like Saraswati there are thousands of underprivileged families living outside government hospitals in extreme conditions, with no food or a bed to sleep on, waiting for their loved ones to get the treatment they require.  Vikas Parcchanda, CEO Akshaya Chaitanya, Maharashtra Chapter is supporting thousands of family members living outside government hospitals with 6,500 hot and nutritious meals every day. This requires a continuous flow of funds, which are now drying up. They have enough cash to sustain for just one more month. One full meal a day- one thing less to worry“They stay here for weeks, sometimes even months. They are poor, most of them have no medical insurance, they lose their livelihood and have no place to stay. Many find refuge on sidewalks and pavements to sleep and decide to go hungry for days, just to save a few more rupees. So we wanted to ensure no families of the patients getting treated in these hospitals go hungry or compromise on their meals ” - Vikas Parchhanda, CEO, Akshaya Chaitanya, Maharashtra Chapter.Every day Akshaya Chaitanya serves 6,500 free unlimited hot &amp; nutritious meals at Mumbai’s 17 major public hospitals. These free meals help families save at least ₹100 every day - a big amount for low-income individuals.Served with loveFood for the ‘Hospital Feeding Programme’ is made in a centralised Akshaya Chaitanya kitchen where hundreds of kgs of rice, dal and vegetables are cooked every day. Rice, mixed veg gravy, sambhar, pulao and curd are some of the items they serve.“Each of these the family members wait in anticipation for the food to be served the next day. But the reality is we have the funds to run this kitchen for only a month. Our grocery and vegetable stock is depleting and we are in need of urgent support to continue feeding these hungry souls waiting outside the hospital. Please help us” - Vikas Parchhanda. CEO, Akshaya Chaitanya, Maharashtra ChapterFeed 6,500 meals to family members of patients in needYour donation can ensure that these well-wishers of suffering patients have at least one meal a day to sustain themselves as they brave harsh weather, unlivable conditions and hunger outside India’s public hospitals. A little bit of kindness can provide them with nutrition and care. Donate now.About Akshaya ChaitanyaAkshaya Chaitanya is an initiative of HKM Charitable Foundation started with the objective to eradicate hunger by providing food relief to marginalised sections of the society in the city of Mumbai. Through their hospital feeding service, the organisation cooks free food in their 8,000 sq. ft Byculla kitchen that caters to the poor marginalised communities outside government hospitals.

Help provide 6,500 meals per day to family members of poor patients who wait outside government hospitals

One evening in September 2018, Nethra’s alcoholic husband doused her in kerosene, set her on fire, locked the door from outside, and walked away. Hearing her wails, neighbours came to Nethra’s rescue and took her to a government hospital. Despite third-degree burns, Nethra survived after months in the hospital. But she became almost immobile. She could hardly move her hands or head as her chin was almost fused to the neck. She survived on liquid and semi-solid food as she couldn’t chew or close her mouth. “My face was so severely disfigured that my mother hid all the mirrors at home so that I would not see myself,” recalls Nethra. As the low-income family couldn’t afford proper after-care or reconstructive surgeries, Nethra was getting suicidal when Agni Raksha, a Bangalore-based NGO came to her rescue. After multiple surgeries at the NGO’s ‘Safe Haven,’ its critical care unit, Nethra is back on her feet. She is trained in tailoring and now works odd jobs and takes care of her two children.Like Nethra, most burn victims who come to Agni Raksha belong to low-income families and almost 95% of them are women. While some are victims of severe forms of domestic violence by husbands, others try to commit suicide by immolating themselves because of constant harassment. But due to the pandemic and lack of funds, Agni Raksha run by Dr Prema Dhanraj, a burn victim herself, had to shut its free critical surgeries unit. It has been a huge blow to burn victims from low-income families. You can help Dr Prema reopen her free burn surgeries unit. Agni Raksha- A beacon of hope for burn survivorsHeaded by Dr Prema Dhanraj, the NGO has treated over 18,000 burn victims in over 15 years. While the NGO continues to provide out-patient facilities for burn victims it had to shut down ‘Safe Haven’ its critical unit, because of a lack of funds after Covid.“Covid was a body blow for us as we had to close Safe Haven. We have the building, beds and other facilities, but we don’t have funds to pay doctors and support staff or buy critical care equipment and medicines. I feel very bad for victims who require emergency treatment, reconstructive surgery and post-operative care. The most heartbreaking thing for me is when some burn victims are brought here first thinking that we still run Safe Haven,” says Dr Prema.Help Dr Prema reopen Safe Haven and start providing critical care and carry out surgeries on burn victims. Donate now.As Dr Prema can no longer conduct reconstructive surgeries and post-operative care at Agni Raksha, she refers burn survivors to different hospitals with a letter pleading that her patients cannot afford the money. “I don’t always succeed in getting them free treatment in hospitals, but I try my best. I wish I could provide all the care they need at Agni Raksha,” says Dr Prema.Lifelong disability and disfigurements because of burns can also cause emotional problems such as depression, suicidal tendencies and nightmares. Many burn victims lose purpose in life. Keeping these things in mind, Agni Raksha provides psychological as well as vocational support so that burn survivors can go back to leading normal lives. In fact, 90% of the staff at Agni Raksha comprise burn survivors.Your donations can help hundreds of burn victims stay hidden away from the world as they cannot afford surgeries so they can lead a normal life. Donate now

Help Dr Dhanraj provide a normal life for women suffering from severe burn injuries with surgery and care

i.	Counselling for all types of victims ii.	Registration of victim details iii.	Legal drafting and legal advocacy iv.	Bare Foot Lawyer Program

Human Rights

LSBS (Lokshahir Sitaram Babu Sonavane) Charitable Trust is a registered organization that runs a leadership program named MARJI (Mere Adhikar Meri Jimmedari). This program has been implemented in Mumbai and its Suburbans since November 2020.Our work is supported by educated youth from different fields who have volunteered for this program. Our volunteers help to create awareness about constitutional laws in Mumbai and its suburban regions. The volunteers provide free counseling to the victims with legal assistance. They guide them in various government/semi-government processes by visiting the victim.We carry on various legal information and leadership training in the communities. This program initiative helps to empower the victim in the community. Through this initiative, more than 280 victims have approached MARJI with their problems. The problem includes domestic violence, child sexual abuse, child marriage, sexual exploitation of women at the workplace, financial fraud, kidnapping, online fraud, stalking, dowry, etc. MARJI had succeeded in filing 18 FIRs in Mumbai and suburban Police Stations. MARJI has played a major part in providing justice in 67 cases till now.Vision –Justice for all through the involvement of educated youth in communities.Mission-I am creating a just environment free from violence and abuse where youth spread awareness about one's rights, responsibilities, constitutional laws, and duties among all citizens.Objectives-          Spread legal awareness to all with the involvement of community youth.-          Secure justice for victims.-          Empower one to stand up for their rights.-          Provide training on the rights and duties of a responsible citizen.

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

Mangesh Sitaram Sonawane

Lokshahir Sitaram Babu Sonavane Charitable Trust

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.

Create change with NGOs on Give.do! Explore 3,000+ NGOs dedicated to causes like human rights, animal welfare and healthcare. Your contribution matters!

Find the best NGOs in India on Give.do and Donate to Fundraisers

NGOs Listing page

Introduction:Welcome to the crowdfunding campaign for the "Barefoot Lawyer Training Program" initiated by the Lokshahir Sitaram Babu Sonavane Charitable Trust. We are on a mission to foster legal awareness and provide essential legal aid to communities across India through our Shoshanmukt Bharat Abhiyan, Matadata Jagruti Abhiyan, and Saathi Jodo Abhiyan initiatives. About Us:The Lokshahir Sitaram Babu Sonavane Charitable Trust is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the legal system effectively. Through our various campaigns and initiatives, we aim to bridge the gap between the law and the common citizen. Our Project/Cause:Our project focuses on raising public awareness about legal rights, providing legal aid to those in need, and training volunteers to become 'barefoot lawyers' within their communities. These barefoot lawyers will serve as beacons of legal knowledge, offering guidance and support to individuals seeking justice. Why it's Important:In today's society, many individuals are unaware of their legal rights and lack access to legal aid. As a result, countless people are left without recourse when faced with legal challenges. Our initiative seeks to change this by empowering communities with the knowledge and resources needed to seek justice and uphold their rights. Funding Target:Our funding target for this campaign is 10,00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lacs Only). This will enable us to organize legal awareness camps, provide training materials, and support the operational expenses of our initiatives for the next year. Timeline:We aim to implement our initiatives over the course of one year, reaching communities across India and making a tangible impact on legal awareness and access to justice. How You Can Help:<ol><li>Donate: Your contributions will directly support our efforts to provide legal aid, conduct training programs, and organize legal camps in underserved communities.</li><li>Spread the Word: Help us reach a wider audience by sharing our campaign with your friends, family, and social networks. Together, we can amplify our impact and make a difference.</li></ol> Our Promise to You:We are committed to transparency and accountability in all our endeavors. Your support will be used efficiently and effectively to further our mission of promoting legal awareness and access to justice. ﻿Join Us:Together, we can make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities across India. Join us in our journey to empower, educate, and uplift through legal awareness.

I am supporting Lokshahir Sitaram Babu Sonavane Charitable Trust Contribute now to make an impact

i-am-supporting-lokshahir-sitaram-babu-sonavane-charitable-trust-contribute-now-to-make-an-impact

I am supporting Lokshahir Sitaram Babu Sonavane Charitable Trust Contribute now to make an impact

Help Padma Shri winner Dr Prema Dhanraj provide women suffering from burn injuries with surgery and care

Help provide 6,500 meals per day to family members of poor patients who wait outside government hospitals

Help Dr Dhanraj provide a normal life for women suffering from severe burn injuries with surgery and care

Disclaimer