In Vrindavan, thousands of elderly widow mothers face the harsh reality of abandonment and suffering. With no one to turn to, many are left begging on the streets, exposed to heat, cold and rain,Donate so that Maitri can provide shelter, food, clothes and medical support to abandoned elderly mothers now. Give generously.Winnie Singh has witnessed many cases of widow mothers being abandoned on the streets of Vrindavan, one of the holiest places in India. “Children leave their mothers as soon as they become widows. The children start feeling the burden. This has become a practice in today's society that money comes first and everything else later,” says Winnie whose Maitri India, rescues widowed mothers from the streets of Vrindavan.Many widowed elderly mothers often end up living a lonely life and begging to survive on the streets. And Maitri aspires to take care of every widow in need of help, but because of lack of funds, Winnie and Maitri are in a position to do it."Elderly widows don't have shelter. They sleep in cowsheds over sacks. They don't have a blanket. Nights are really difficult for them," shares Winnie Singh. <img src="https://cfstatic.give.do/1abfb906-563b-4747-85b8-8af2071a2856.jpg" />Maitri aims to:<ul><li>Provide shelter and nutritious 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 and engagement around the struggles of abandoned widow mothers</li></ul>Why donate to MaitriWinnie needs your support to help those in need of food, healthcare and well-being. “Maitri urgently needs your support to provide nutritious food, clothing and healthcare to sustain these widow mothers who are prone to more illnesses as they age,” appeals Winnie. “You can become the family they were denied. Hold their hands so they don't need to beg ever again,” she adds. Let’s rescue abandoned widows mothers from the streets of Vrindavan and give them a better future. Donate now.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.

Help provide shelter, food, clothes and medical support to abandoned widow mothers of Vrindavan. Donate now

“They insert a candle in the vagina, fingers are inserted (in the vagina) and tortured, and if children don’t relent even then, they put chilli powder so that children will say “yes” because of the burning of the skin… There are teeth marks on their bodies, and their vaginal parts are burnt. When children stay in these conditions, it is painful even to hear,” says Lalitha SA of Society for Participatory Integrated Development (SPID), in course of talking about many heart-rending stories of trafficked children in red-light areas.In over three decades, the SPID led by Lalitha, has saved over 3000 children from the red-light areas, many from clutches of sex trafficking.Sadly, many more children need to be rescued and in need of a loving home. But Lalitha needs our support to carry on the mission, to move out of her small facility so that she can rescue more children, house them in a permanent location and give them all the love they deserve. Your support can help her give these children the care and upbringing they need. Donate now.This Christmas, you can gift these kids, through your donations, books and warm clothes.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).A movement to protect vulnerable childrenAs a social worker, Lalitha has worked for decades in GB Road, the red-light area of Delhi and helped many women escape the clutches of being forced into sex. But it was the exploitation of children, many of them hardly ten or twelve or even less. The SPID has focused on rescuing such children and giving them a new life.Lalitha plays a vital role in the survival and safety of vulnerable children in the red light areas. As SPID is almost entirely dependent on donations from the public, we can support and strengthen SPID’s mission to save children. Donate generously.Donation to SPID’s fundraiser on Give.do“I have limited funds and very limited space, and if I had the funds, I would be able to rescue many more children and provide them with more comfort. With folded hands, I plead with you that you help us with funds in large numbers and support us in providing us children with a decent life. Become a part of the mission,” pleads LalithaDonate to this fundraiser by Give, India’s largest and most trusted online donation platform, to help Lalitha give hundreds of children rescued from brothels a life away from violence and abuse.NGO's 80G number: AADAS3217RF20212NGO's 12A number: AADAS3217RE20214

Help Lalitha give children rescued from abuse in red-light areas a safe and loving home. Donate now.

“What will happen to them after me? I am 80+. I spend sleepless nights,” worries ex-Air Force officer, Group Captain AC Barua while talking about the future of the 28 destitute women under his care. “They have nobody in this world, sometimes they don’t remember their own names. They are absolutely alone,” he informs us as he goes from one room to the other meeting all the women who live at Seneh, the only home where they are loved and taken care of. After fighting for his country all his life, this octogenarian is now fighting to rescue homeless and abandoned women from dying on the streets. But he cannot do it alone. “Everyday I keep on getting calls from here and there. ‘Oh! there’s a woman lying here. Can you help?’ But I don’t dare to go and help because I don’t have the money. I don’t have the resources, our resources are very limited,” explains Gr. Capt. Barua who is lovingly called ‘Sir’ and ‘Deuta’ (father in Assamese) by the residents of Seneh. With your help, 80-year-old Group Captain Barua can fulfill his mission of rescuing abandoned and homeless women from dying on the streets, alone. Donate nowDonate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. All 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).Seneh- a home filled with love, care and hopeThe residents of Seneh often don’t remember who they are, where they have come from. Many times these are women with mental health conditions and considered being a witch due to superstitious beliefs and beaten up as a result. They are victims of domestic abuse or widow mothers who are considered to be a burden on the family. Group Captain Barua has not only rescued them from critical conditions, he has provided them with urgent medical care, food and above all, a free safe shelter where they can live with love and care. Among these residents is Sarala Kalita who fled to save herself from the tortures of her alcoholic husband only to face neglect and trauma from her brothers- and sisters-in-law. “Both my brothers and their wives urged my father to leave me somewhere as they didn’t want to take care of me anymore. One day my brother’s wife didn’t even let me have food at home. She just wanted me to leave and go away. So that’s why, my father got in touch with Seneh through someone, and handed me over to Sir to take care of me,” says Sarita who has found joy in living at Seneh. “Coming to Seneh, it felt like I got a new life altogether. Sir has given me a harmonium. I love singing. It makes me forget everything and takes me to someplace else entirely,” she adds. More women like Sarala can find their way to a loving home like Seneh. All they need is a little bit of your kindness. “It is difficult to make both ends meet”To sustain their daily expenditure, Capt Barua needs approx ₹3 lakh a month and arranging the funds is a mammoth challenge for the NGO. “Our expenses are growing day by day. Residents are growing older, their sicknesses are increasing. At times we have to give them special food. They require more care so we have to get more employees. About half of them require leading around, 1-2 has to be fed also. It will be very difficult to sustain it unless we get help,” he added. One act of your kindness can save these abandoned women, with no one in this world, from struggling on the streets to survive. At 80+ Gr. Capt. Barua cannot sustain Seneh on his own. “With folded hands, I appeal to all. Please come and please help us. Let us help these people, these old people who have nobody in this world. They are dying. They will die on the streets,” he urged. Donate to this fundraiser by Give.do to support retired Air Force officer, Group Captain Barua in his mission to rescue abandoned and homeless women from dying on the streets.

Help ex-IAF officer rescue abandoned women and provide them with food and shelter

Community and Rural Development – Empowering India’s Tribal Farmers  At Shop for Change Fair Trade, we are committed to transforming rural and tribal communities through sustainable agriculture, fair trade practices, and market empowerment. Our work addresses critical challenges like low farm income, lack of market access, and climate vulnerability—while promoting inclusive, dignified livelihoods for smallholder and tribal farmers.  Our Impact So Far:  🌾 25,000+ farmers supported across Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh  👩🏽‍🌾 48% women beneficiaries, strengthening women’s economic role in agriculture  🌱 10,000+ acres brought under sustainable, climate-resilient farming practices  🛒 50+ farmer producer organisations (FPOs) linked to national & international markets  💧 3,000+ farmers supported with water and irrigation solutions  📈 20–30% average increase in farm incomes through our integrated interventions  From Palghar to Jashpur, we combine grassroots implementation with corporate partnerships to drive long-term, scalable change in India’s most underserved rural regions.  We invite you to join us in creating a more equitable and sustainable future for India’s farmers.

Community & Rural Development

Women’s Empowerment – Cultivating Economic Independence and Leadership  At Shop for Change Fair Trade, we believe empowering women is key to building resilient and equitable rural communities. Our programmes place tribal and smallholder women at the centre of change—enabling them to become confident farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in their communities.  Our Impact So Far:  👩🏽‍🌾 12,000+ women farmers directly empowered through training, resources, and market access  💼 35+ women-led farmer groups established and supported  💰 40% increase in income for women participating in farm and non-farm initiatives  🪔 Enabled clean energy access in over 1,000 women-run households  🧵 Facilitated skill development and product diversification in textiles, food processing, and crafts  🎤 Women now represented in FPO boards and decision-making bodies across our projects  Through capacity-building, access to finance, sustainable livelihoods, and dignified trade opportunities, we are helping women break cycles of dependency and lead rural development from the frontlines.  Join us in building a future where women farmers thrive as equal economic agents.

Women Empowerment

Sustainable Livelihoods – Enabling Income Security for Tribal and Smallholder Communities  At Shop for Change Fair Trade, our livelihood initiatives are designed to create dignified, resilient, and sustainable income opportunities for India’s most underserved rural and tribal populations. By combining skill development, sustainable agriculture, and fair market access, we help communities move from survival to self-reliance.  Our Impact So Far:  🌾 25,000+ farmers supported with sustainable agriculture practices  🛠️ 5,000+ families provided with tools, inputs, and training for income generation  🧵 Developed diverse livelihood options – from organic farming to food processing and craft-based microenterprises  📈 Achieved 20–30% increase in household income across project areas  🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏽 Strengthened 50+ Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to ensure long-term income sustainability  💼 Promoted women-led enterprises and youth entrepreneurship in rural regions  Whether through farm or non-farm pathways, our work is centred on livelihood security, local capacity building, and market inclusion, ensuring long-term impact across rural India.  Let’s work together to scale sustainable livelihoods where they’re needed most.

Livelihood

Environment & Climate Resilience – Regenerating Land, Restoring Livelihoods  At Shop for Change Fair Trade, we champion regenerative agriculture and agroforestry as powerful tools for both environmental restoration and rural income security. Our work with tribal and smallholder farmers focuses on rebuilding soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing climate vulnerability—while improving livelihoods.  Our Environmental Impact So Far:  🌳 65,000+ trees planted through agroforestry and community plantations  🌱 10,000+ acres transitioned to regenerative, low-input farming  💧 Enabled water conservation and storage solutions for 3,000+ farmers  🌾 Promoted crop diversification, soil restoration, and natural resource regeneration  📚 Delivered training on climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable land use  Our integrated approach empowers farmers to become stewards of the land, creating models of development that are both climate-smart and economically inclusive.  Partner with us to scale regenerative, community-led environmental solutions across India.

Environment

Founded in 2009 and restructured in 2015, Shop for Change Fair Trade is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering farmers, artisans, and rural communities through sustainable trade. Incubated by the European Union and Traidcraft UK, we proudly hold the distinction of being India’s first Fair Trade label. Our work focuses on creating dignified livelihoods, ensuring fair market access, and fostering long-term social and economic change. Mission &amp; Vision ✅ Mission: To be the most trusted and transparent Fair Trade organization, driving positive change for farmers, artisans, and the environment. ✅ Vision: To uplift marginalized farmers and artisans by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities and connecting them to fair markets for economic independence. Our Core Values 🔹 Ethical Trade: Prioritizing people over profit. 🔹 Sustainability: Promoting organic and regenerative farming. 🔹 Community First: Strengthening local economies and skills. Our Impact 📍 Operating in 6 states, we have transformed over 50,000 lives through sustainable livelihoods, improved market access, and ethical trade practices. Our Work 1. Sustainable Livelihoods &amp; Market Access ✔ Market Linkages: Direct supply chain access, corporate partnerships, and e-commerce integrations. ✔ Revenue Generation: INR 5+ crore in farmer sales &amp; INR 50+ lakh earned by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). ✔ Export Success: 55 Metric Tons of chili exported by tribal farmers from Maharashtra. 2. Sustainable Agriculture &amp; Infrastructure ✔ Sustainable Farming: Promotion of organic and regenerative agriculture. ✔ Geotagged 56,000+ plantations, benefiting 800+ tribal families, generating INR 1+ lakh annual revenue per family. ✔ Reduced chemical usage, improving food security and crop yields with 15-25 days faster growth cycles. 3. Capacity Building &amp; Community Development ✔ Empowered 1,800+ beneficiaries in 2023, including 1,500+ tribal farmers &amp; 500+ rural women. ✔ 500+ skill-building workshops conducted on sustainable farming, marketing, and entrepreneurship. ✔ 200+ tribal youth trained in organic farming, creating sustainable income alternatives to low-paying jobs. How We Work 📌 Community Engagement &amp; Capacity Building: Training farmers in sustainable practices &amp; entrepreneurship. 📌 Market Linkage &amp; Retail Partnerships: Strengthening supply chains, direct market access, and corporate collaborations. 📌 Infrastructure Development: Supporting aggregation centers, packaging units, and geotagged plantations. Join Us in Making a Difference! We believe in creating lasting impact through fair and sustainable trade. Support our mission to empower farmers, artisans, and women-led businesses while promoting ethical consumption and environmental sustainability.

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

Dipa Hakani 

Shop for Change Fair Trade

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.

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Help provide shelter, food, clothes and medical support to abandoned widow mothers of Vrindavan. Donate now

Help Lalitha give children rescued from abuse in red-light areas a safe and loving home. Donate now.

Help ex-IAF officer rescue abandoned women and provide them with food and shelter

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