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

“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

“I used to be sexually abused repeatedly, and when I screamed in pain, they hit and threatened me with more violence,” says Priya (name changed), a rescued child sex worker. Priya was abducted by traffickers and sold into a red-light area house before she was rescued by Guria led by Manju. For over two decades, Manju has been rescuing young girls forced into prostitution across the country. She has been shaken to the core seeing some of the most horrifying crimes that young girls have to undergo. “You can’t imagine the state of girls forced into sex work. The girls are given electric shocks and burnt with cigarette butts just to get kicks out of it. And if they get pregnant, the "owners" kick them repeatedly in the womb so that the child inside dies…If you want to see hell, it is here on this planet where young girls are sexually abused,” says Manju.Manju needs your help to rescue more young girls from forced prostitution and reunite them with their families. Donate now.Guria’s work over the yearsBased out of Varanasi, inarguably the holiest place in India, Manju and her organisation Guria, fights the sexual exploitation of girls, especially minors, by taking on the traffickers head-on, and rescuing and rehabilitating them.Started in 1993, Guria has rescued over 5500 persons from slavery, sex trafficking, and child prostitution so far. It has also been instrumental in shutting down hundreds of places that housed trafficked girls and putting scores of traffickers out of business and in jail.For instance, in 2005, a Guria-led rescue operation in Varanasi's red-light area led to the freeing of 49 women and girls, including minors. Many of them were kept against their will. Some of the traffickers were also arrested and tried. Since then, Guria has rescued thousands of young girls.Manju and her husband, Ajeet Singh began rescuing girls from Varanasi’s red-light areas and then working to stop the sex-trafficking of young girls within Uttar Pradesh and outside. The organisation’s aim is to eliminate the sex trafficking of women, especially minor girls, end second-generation prostitution and child prostitution, and rehabilitate women and girls who are rescued from the trade. Manju has faced violent backlash from the traffickers and other vested interests, but it has not deterred her from carrying on rescuing young girls from trafficking. Rescue and rehabilitationBesides rescuing girls trafficked for sex, mostly from low-income families, from across the country, Guria fights on their behalf in courts and also provides education, food, vocational training, and other facilities until they are united with their families. But because of a lack of funds, Guria is finding it difficult to rescue more girls and also take care of them once they are away from the clutches of the traffickers. Take the case of Sameena (name changed), who was abducted from Uttar Pradesh all the way to Telangana. Guria took it upon itself to rescue the girl with the help of its own work and also the authorities. After months of rehabilitation, Sameena went back to her family and even completed her education. With your support, Manju can rescue many more young girls from trafficking and help them live the life of their dreams.

Help Manju rescue young sex trafficking victims. Donate now

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

Help Manju rescue young sex trafficking victims. Donate now

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