"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.

This Navratri, 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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Snehalaya has been working in rural India for almost three decades to bring rescue, rights and rehabilitation to those adversely affected by the commercial sex industry, poverty and droughts. We started rescuing trafficked and forced women and children from red light areas in 1989 and have been fighting HIV/AIDS, reducing 2nd generation prostitution by 100% and ensuring there are no minors working in the sex industry in our district ever since.Our mission statement is that every woman and child should have the right to a life free from inequality, cruelty and discrimination. We support around 20,000 beneficiaries a year through 19 rehabilitation, health and AIDS prevention, education and awareness-raising projects. We shelter 250 children of sex workers, minors rescued from sex work and those orphaned by or living with HIV. We provide a safe and supportive family setting, with our own school and HIV hospital. We also work in slum areas, run an organic farm for people living with HIV, provide rescue and adoption to abandoned babies. We are nationally recognised as a key healthcare provider for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and also have an outstanding track record in education and sustainable social change.

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Snehalaya

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Karthik's (name changed) journey at Snehalaya reflects a beacon of hope and transformation, revealing how tailored support can dramatically alter the life trajectory of children coming from challenging environments. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by Karthik, whose parents are both blind, his teacher adapted her teaching methods to better suit his needs. This included providing homework in audio format via WhatsApp, allowing his parents to engage with and support his educational journey effectively. This simple yet effective strategy has enabled Karthik to thrive academically and socially. Today, he attends school regularly, dressed neatly, and actively participates in his studies, a stark contrast to his previous disengagement. His newfound enthusiasm for learning and improved behavior are evident in his regular completion of homework and his openness in communicating with his teacher. The joy his academic success brings to his parents is profound and speaks volumes about the impact of Snehalaya's work. We invite you to contribute to this noble cause. Your donation can help sustain and expand the transformative programs that have already changed the lives of thousands of vulnerable children. Help us ensure that Karthik and many others like him can continue to grow in a loving and supportive environment, paving the way for a brighter, more secure future. Donate now!!

Beneficiary update

Dear supporters,Your continued generosity plays a pivotal role in empowering the lives of countless children at Snehalaya. Each donation brings light to the dark corners where despair once prevailed. We are excited to share with you the profound impact your contributions have made. Below is the spotlight on a memorable activity and a transformative story of one of our resilient children. A Night of Warmth: Campfire with DinnerOn a cool evening of January 3rd, 2024, the children of Snehalaya Rehabilitation Centre experienced a special event that brought warmth and joy to their hearts. Organized under the guidance of Mrs. Sapana Bhabhi, our campfire with dinner was more than just an event; it was a celebration of togetherness and love. The children savored a special menu of Modak Bhaji, Vange Bharit, and Bajari Bhakari, prepared by our dedicated staff. This delightful change from their daily routine was not just about enjoying delicious food but about sharing moments of happiness and camaraderie. It was a night that echoed with laughter and stories, reinforcing the sense of family we strive to provide for our children at Snehalaya. Bhakti’s Journey to IndependenceBhakti, a courageous girl who, with the support of Snehalaya and our benefactors, navigated her path from vulnerability to self-reliance. Having joined our family as a timid 9-year-old orphan, Bhakti's journey is a testament to her resilience and the empowering ethos of Snehalaya. Completing her schooling and further mastering skills at an ITI, Bhakti now thrives in a renowned private company in Ahmednagar. Her success is not just a personal triumph but a beacon of hope for her younger sibling and many others at Snehalaya. Bhakti’s story underscores the transformative impact of your support, enabling us to guide our children towards self-dependence and bright futures. However, the journey does not end here. The needs are ongoing, and every contribution helps us sustain and expand our efforts to reach more children in need. Your continued support is crucial in ensuring that Snehalaya remains a haven of hope and a launching pad for the dreams of many more children like Bhakti.We invite you to stand with us again as we continue to protect, educate, and empower. Together, we can create a future where every child experiences the joy, safety, and opportunity they deserve. Donate now to secure the future of countless children who are victims of sex trafficking and abuse.

Impact report

🙏🌟&nbsp;Heartfelt Gratitude to Our Amazing Donors&nbsp;🌟🙏 🎉Thank you for your unwavering support!&nbsp;With the amount raised so far, we are able to support&nbsp;39 children&nbsp;rescued from the brothels.&nbsp;However, there are still 211 more children who urgently need your support! We humbly ask for your continued support to extend our reach and cover all the children in the center. Together, we can provide them with the essentials they truly deserve –&nbsp;nutrition, shelter, medication, education, and above all, a life&nbsp;free from inequality, cruelty, and&nbsp;discrimination. ❤🏠📚 🌟 To all our donors, your kindness knows no bounds. We are deeply grateful for your support and unwavering commitment. Let's continue this incredible journey together!🤝 💕 🌟&nbsp;Donate now and create a lasting impact!&nbsp;✨🤗🌈

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Prostitution is illegal in India. However; hundreds of women and children are trafficked each year and are forced into prostitution.Snehalaya's rehabilitation centre is working for the children of female sex workers including HIV infected children, rescued victims and orphanage children since last 25 years. Most of the women engaged in sex work arrived in its red light districts at a very young age. This malicious cycle takes a devastating toll on their children who often sleep under their mother's bed and wander the streets with no hope for the future. 
 Snehalaya rehabilitation centre supports basic needs of these children, enabling them to recover from the hardships they have endured. Providing them with immediate medical care, food, shelter. Also; takes responsibility for the living cost of clothing, education and recreation. Ultimately character building of our inmates is the main objective of rehabilitation centre. Special love and care by Snehalaya’s worker to these kids has created parental bonding in Snehalaya. 
 More than 1,300 children have moved ahead from rehabilitation centre to begin new lives with new jobs in various professions, businesses as a mature & responsible citizen. Many girls have started new married lives after their weddings conducted in Snehalaya. Some have chosen to devote themselves in the service for Snehalaya. The major impact due to the project existence now there is no minor prostitution in Ahmednagar city.

Protect vulnerable children of sex workers

Despite the remarkable progress which our country has seen, education in India still remains problematic. With free and compulsory education only granted between the ages of six and 14, a large number of girls drop out of school to support their families or because they live in government care homes which only support them up to 10th Standard. We believe in equal access to education. When women are educated, the whole community benefits. In India, only 47% of girls start secondary education and only 2% of girls successfully complete secondary school. Within the areas we work, uneducated women and girls are targets for sex traffickers and ruthless money lenders. We work with local women and girls to raise awareness about their rights and provide them assistance to maximise their educational attainment. 
 With your help, we are planning to continue giving a lift to the girls' aspirations through our educational facilities, supporting those who are experiencing barriers to their full entitlement of schooling, and advocating for improved equality in education locally and nationally. We're offering practical support to help more girls continue their education through to 12th Standard and college. Our IT Center also provides digital literacy classes. We have also joined forces with Malala Fund to target those most at risk of child marriage and labour, trafficking and sexual exploitation. Our year long campaign aims to give girls the education to empower them to influence the education agenda nationally and internationally. 
 We help educate 1,000 girls each year, fully financing at least 25 young people through college to give them financial independence, choice, and security which will ultimately help in breaking the cycle of poverty. In our district, where HIV is prevalent, girls' education also improves family health - educated mothers are 50% percent more likely to immunize their child and administer medication properly, meaning 50% more children surviving beyond age 5.

Help educate girls in rural India

It’s unknown exactly how many babies are abandoned each year in India, with some sources reporting up to 11 million children, but it is known that over 90% of them are girls. Babies are abandoned for many reasons: victims of rape or unmarried mothers fearing recrimination, inability to financially support a child, or simply not wanting another girl in the family. 
 Many babies are left at our centre, and our Childline team and volunteers also bring us babies found abandoned in public places. Sadly, sometimes they are found too late. Many of the infants who survive are very fragile and/or premature and require hospitalisation and intensive care. Fortunately, most survive and we start the process of searching for their family and if found, counsel them on the next steps.Our adoption process finds loving families for those who remain unwanted and we are with them at each step, ensuring a safe and smooth transition into their new homes. 
 Since we opened our doors in 2004, we have successfully rescued and saved the lives of nearly 600 babies, adopting them under a government approved and accredited process.

Adoption Center

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers that one out of five women has been physically or sexually assaulted by a man in her life and, in 2017, Reuters ranked India the fourth most dangerous place to be a woman. Gender-based violence such as domestic violence, sex and forced-labour trafficking, dowry deaths, rape, workplace harassment and child marriage continues to increase, irrespective of the education that’s been given on these topics. Every third adolescent girl aged 15-19 years is married and every second married adolescent girl has given birth to a child. Despite harsher penalties, crimes against women and girls in the country are continuing to rise with a 31% increase in the number of reported rape cases over the past 10 years with the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India recording 88 rape cases every day in 2019.  COVID-19 has added to the issues with a dramatic rise in the cases of violence against women and girls. On top of this, online harassment such as stalking, misuse of personal pictures, and inappropriate messages has also gone up making social media and other online platforms an unsafe place for the female population.   
 Snehalaya has been working consistently to end this systematic violence against women and in turn empower the women of India since 1989. We work towards ensuring a life free from inequality, cruelty and discrimination. We believe that every woman deserves a life with dignity and freedom and hence we stand with these women and help them create a life they truly deserve. After all, these women are only a few steps away from living a life full of smiles and happiness, all they need is a little love and support. Our 23 projects not only focus on creating better lives through the provision of shelter, healthcare, education and support, we also prioritize overcoming the obstacles faced by sex workers and their children, people living with HIV/AIDS and victims of sexual and other gender-based violence. We shine a light on theissues that are least debated or talked about in society. We also bring change in the thoughts of the mass population through programs and campaigns. Ourmotto is to rescue and rehabilitate those in need and since 1989, we have supported over 200,000 women and children, ensuring their safety, selfdevelopment, self-belief and empowerment. 
 We believe an educated woman can make a difference and our campaigns with Malala Fund have promoted girls’ education engaging with 30,000 people to become change-makers. We have more recently risen to the challenges of COVID 19 maintaining and extending our operations.·        Snehalaya’s Childline team (ranked no 1 in India) rescued 88 girls from child marriage during lockdown - over 40% of all rescues in Maharashtra!·        Our 3,500 sex workers were also hit hard during the lockdown period and so far we have helped 35 of them leave prostitution and find new vocations.·        Our women’s shelter and helpline provided sanctuary to hundreds of women experiencing violence.·        Our adoption center, despite being 20% over capacity, continued to support pregnant women and victims of rape.·        Food and hygiene kits distributed to 40,000 families in our poorest communities·        Roadside assistance to 40,000 migrant workers on the long walk home from Mumbai and Pune.·        Our new mental health project helps women rejected by their families and forced onto the streets.You can help us to support many more survivors of abuse and violence today by building them a better, happier tomorrow. We believe in the power of you!