"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

This is a sample description for education. For the purpose of testing I will use the word EducationEducationEducationEducation.

Education

This is a sample description for Women Empowerment. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Women EmpowermentWomen EmpowermentWomen Empowerment.

Women Empowerment

This is a sample description for Children. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Childrenchildrenchildren.

Children

This is a sample description for Healthcare. For the purpose of testing I will use the word HealthcareHealthcareHealthcare.

Healthcare

Founded in 1998, Sukarya, is a non-governmental organization working on these core areas in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh:•	Maternal and child health and nutrition•	Adolescent reproductive sexual health•	Non-formal education for slum children•	Women empowerment through self-help groups (SHGs)•	Integrated rural developmentIn the last 25 years of service we have:•	Reached more than 650 villages and 120 slums•	Served more than 6.0 million peopleThe mission of Sukarya is to focus on ensuring equitable access to quality health services for all including the poorest sections of the society, especially women, adolescents and children.Core Beliefs:•	Access to quality health is a fundamental human right•	Access to basic education is a fundamental right of every child•	Economic self-reliance is essential for women empowerment•	Socio-economic growth can't be achieved without rural development

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

Shipra Shukla

Sukarya

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

In the heart of Wazirabad, where the shadow of anaemia looms large over the lives of countless mothers and their unborn children, there lies a beacon of hope—Sukarya. Meet Sayeba, a 24-year-old mother from Wazirabad, whose journey with Sukarya has become a symbol of the change that is possible when determination meets support. When Sayeba first came into Sukarya's fold, her health was a significant concern. With a hemoglobin level of only 7.9 g/dl, her situation was precarious, especially as she was pregnant and the stakes were higher than ever. However, Sukarya, with its holistic approach to healthcare, was ready to stand by her side.Through the dedicated efforts of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and a team of healthcare professionals, Sayeba received the medical attention, nutritional guidance, and emotional support she needed. Over time, her health began to improve dramatically. Her hemoglobin levels rose to a healthy 10.9 g/dl, a testament to the effective intervention strategies deployed by Sukarya. This was not just a victory for Sayeba but a beacon of hope for many women in Mewat facing similar challenges. The climax of Sayeba's journey was the birth of a healthy baby girl at a Government Hospital, a moment of joy and relief for her family. This success story is a poignant reminder of the critical work Sukarya does in the region. It showcases the transformative impact that targeted healthcare services can have on maternal and newborn health, even in the most challenging environments. This tale of hope and healing serves as a rallying cry for all of us to support Sukarya’s mission. By contributing to this cause, we are not only aiding in the fight against malnutrition and anaemia but also empowering women like Sayeba to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. Join us in this vital mission. Your donation can light up the path to a brighter future for many more mothers and children in Mewat. Let’s make a difference together. Donate now and be a part of this life-saving journey.

Sukarya beneficiary story

Sukarya has made enormous strides towards ensuring a future in which no mother in Mewat has to suffer through anaemia at all, let alone give birth in those conditions. Our selfless donor's contributions have allowed us to run health camps, provide medicines for our beneficiaries, raise awareness about this debilitating condition, and even provide meal packets for Gurugram's vulnerable women and children. See below the list of amazing things we've done with the funds we've received - <ul><li>20 health clinics conducted</li><li>1059 patients screened; 104 children and 446 pregnant women included</li><li>496 patients counseled</li><li>follow-ups conducted; 212 home visits</li></ul> Although Sukarya is committed to eradicating societal ignorance towards maternal and child health issues, we need your help to achieve our mission. Donate now to change someone's life for the better and multiply the impact of our efforts.

Sukarya impact report

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

Sukarya’s Gender Equality Programme is designed to educate and empower adolescent girls (10-19 years) on sexual and reproductive health. It takes a deep dive into issues that affect their basic human rights, knowledge, and awareness levels with respect to gender, social justice, family life and employability.Nearly 10% (120 million) of India's total population comprises of adolescents. A big share of these adolescents, especially in rural and slum communities are impacted with deep-rooted socio-cultural customs and norms that leave them powerless and vulnerable.Child marriage, early and repeated motherhood, lack of education, ill-health, gender-based violence and discrimination, and even trafficking form a complex cause-and-effect web that entraps many girls. They suffer infant, child and maternal mortality rates, early and child marriages, discontinuation of education and greater risk of an inter-generational cycle of poverty – all of which further marginalises adolescent girls and women.Largely the access of knowledge and information on adolescent reproductive &amp; sexual health and gender education is non-existent in India. In urban slums and rural villages the situation is worse since most families live in vulnerable conditions with minimal resources. 
 The objectives of Sukarya’s Gender Equality Programme are to:·        Provide basic knowledge and awareness to adolescent girls (10-19 years age group) on reproductive and sexual health; and build their knowledge &amp; skills on family life;·        Educate and enhance their knowledge and understanding of gender discrimination, social stigma, issues and challenges;·        Learn the impact of Water, Sanitation &amp; Hygiene (WASH) for maintaining good health at the community level, community engagement and communication.Sukarya has been educating and empowering adolescent girls across schools and slum communities in Delhi and Haryana since 2017 with a customised curriculum that addresses adolescent health, menstrual hygiene, nutrition, family life skills and gender knowledge while instilling confidence and leadership skills so they can fight against economic and social inequalities. These efforts are showing remarkable change in the mindset of this young audience. In the last three years, the programme has empowered 3000 adolescent girls in slum communities and schools with over 120 turning peer leaders. 
 Managing during situations like COVID-19As per the 2011 Census, about 1.8 million live in the slums of Delhi and during a pandemic like Covid-19 prevention, control and preparedness are formidable to say the least. Since Sukarya works in the area of basic health care services, it understands the enormous needs and severity of the issues in a better frame. Sukarya’s experience lends itself to setting up initiatives related to Water, Sanitation &amp; Hygiene (WASH) for effective community engagement and to ensure prevention from pandemics.Future plans·        Upscale and empower 5000 adolescent girls who will not only bring desired changes to strengthening the community but also act as frontline volunteers striving to ensure better health outcomes·        Work more closely with schools and provide adolescent girls healthy food, IFA supplements and fortified foods. Also help them delay their first pregnancy and protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections and other diseases.

Empowering and Protecting Slum Girls

Education is a dream for millions of children who struggle to survive daily. Education on Wheels is a unique programme that uses a bus equipped with teaching aids to visit children in the slums to educate them. The project aims to educate children whose parents have no choice but to leave them to fend for themselves during the day while they are away earning for the family.Education on wheels (EOW) brings the school home. A well-equipped bus with computers, TV, and other essential education-related materials arrives at the doorstep of the user/ beneficiary/prospective student. In one single stroke it eliminates handicap of distance, cumbersome travel, and issues regarding safety and security of the student. Most of these children live in slums or outskirts of the city and are engaged in part-time work. Their families can neither afford their education nor is it a priority for them. However, once they understand the concept of EOW they are open to the idea of enrolling their children in the programme. The teaching style is different from the regular traditional methods and is designed in a way that these children can adapt to its methodology. 
 The key objective of the project is to reach the vast majority of children who are living in vulnerable conditions and are unable to access education in a favourable learning environment. It aims to educate children living on the streets and in impoverished neighbourhoods by providing them functional literacy so they can manage their lives better and be an asset to their families and society. It is designed to enable non-school going children to acquire minimum knowledge and skills and mainstreaming them in formal schools.Offering avenues in non-formal educationThe EOW specialises in non- formal education. It is a form of remedial education that puts students back into school, coaches and guides them on lifeskills, health, nutrition, careers and values.It provides multi-grade teaching where children of different age groups and levels are taught under one roof by trained and experienced teachers who use special methods and techniques, putting the fun back into learning. The goal is to ensure children continue to learn and not drop out or discontinue.The motto of EOW is to provide accessible, affordable and efficient education services to marginalised communities and go the extra mile in reaching the unreached.  
 The multi-grade system of teaching and the child-centric curriculum finds favour with those who get associated with EOW. The well equipped bus also provides basic computer education. There is a healthy interaction with teaching staff, including monthly parent teacher meetings and other extra-curricular activities. Proper records are maintained, attendance taken and follow-up done with home visits to discuss any gaps or challenges. Annual picnics and celebration of festivals adds to the bonding and sense of belonging to the EOW concept. Voices of beneficiaries“There is no school around my house and my father does not have money to admit me in a private school. I am excited and happy now as EOW has given me admission”6-year old Sameer from Hoti camp slum, Delhi“My studies came to a rude halt when my family migrated to Gurugram. Post that I lost two years moving around aimlessly. With the responsibility of two younger siblings on my shoulders, I had no hope of rekindling the flame of education. Now with EOW I can work and study at the same time. I am sure after this my job prospects will improve.”11-year old Nafeesa, students of a remedial class of EOW.“My family migrated from Bengal three years ago. My father works as a rag picker and mother is a domestic help. I too accompany my father to the garbage dumps sometimes. Once I started EOW classes, my teachers realised I was a sharp and keen learner. Today, I am a strong advocate of the EOW and am a social change agent who motivates other children to study.”12- year old Hasan, resident of Saraswati Kunj, a slum colony in Gurugram

Educating 100 Children in 2 Slums in Delhi

After over 74 years of independence, India has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest prevalences (over 50%) of undernutrition (as judged by stunting, wasting, and Micro nutrient deficiencies like anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and others), in the world. The recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS - 5) [2021], has put the spotlight back on the Maternal child health care and nutritional status of children in India. As per NFHS 5 [National Family Health Survey 2021], Anemia and malnourishment amongst mothers and children have remained an as huge concern as 67.1% of children aged 6 -59 months and 57% of Women aged 15 -49 years have been recorded as anemic. 35.5% of Children under 5 are stunted 19.3 % are wasted and 32.1% of children are underweight. Nutrition provides the foundation for reducing susceptibility to infections, morbidity, disability, and mortality, enhancing cumulative lifelong learning capacities, and adult productivity. It is critical to prevent undernutrition, as early as possible, across the life cycle, to avert irreversible cumulative growth and development deficits that compromise maternal and child health and survival, achievement of optimal learning outcomes in education, and gender equality. The outcome of maternal-child health and nutrition is directly linked with the GDP [Gross Domestic Product] and efficiency of the Workforce of the Nation. 
 The goal of this project is to help strengthen the detection, treatment, and prevention of anemic conditioning and Malnutrition amongst Mothers [15-49 yrs.] and Children [0-5 years] and to help combat some of the major causes of maternal and child morbidity and mortality through immunization and improved care at the community level. The project aims to support the provision of basic health services, contribute to the response to the nutrition issues/dietary intervention and WASH aspects, and ensure that the marginalized population has access to basic health checkups, vaccines, essential medicines, and preventive measures through appropriate knowledge, information and practice. Objectives: • Prevent and control anemia and malnutrition amongst mothers [15-49 years], children [up to 5 years]. • To improve the maternal and child health status of the targeted community • To reduce IMR [Infant mortality rate] and morbidity amongst children and mothers • To improve the overall Knowledge, attitude, and practice of the community on Maternal Child Health, Nutrition, and sanitation.Major Activities under the Project to solve this problem: - Monthly Health Clinics - Counselling by Doctors and Nutritionist - Laboratory check ups - Medicine &amp; Nutrition disbursements /supplements - Cooking demonstrations - Health awareness sessions - Home visits and Follow ups - ReferralsHealth Clinic, Cooking Demo/Nutrition Awareness sessions, Sanitation Campaign [WASH], Strengthening Government’s routine immunization, Promote Colostrums, exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding, and Institutional delivery, Health Awareness Sessions on Maternal Child Health Care, Awareness Session on COVID 19 and other contagious diseases,  
 Community based Nutrition solutions /dietary intervention would build healthy food practices and understanding which in turn reduce the anemic condition &amp; malnutrition among mother and children. Overall Knowledge, attitude and practice of community on Health, Maternal Child Health and Nutrition would be positively changed. Around 10,000 Reproductive age women and children would directly be benefited and their health conditions would be improved through this intervention.Envisaged Outcomes: • There will be a reduction in the prevalence of anemia and malnourishment amongst mothers and children. • The maternal-child health and nutrition needs of the targeted community will be met through comprehensive curative and preventive measures which would result in improved MCHN indicators such as an increase in Antenatal care /checkups, Postnatal care /check-ups, increase in IFA intake, reduction in anemia, and malnourishment, improvement in hemoglobin level, increase in institutional delivery, increase in exclusive breastfeeding, Newborn care, improvement in supplementary feeding practices, improved nutrition, and dietary practices, improvement in hygiene and sanitation practices and other associated issues. • There will be improved care towards maternal-child health in the community • There will be an overall change in knowledge, attitude, and practice in the community about maternal child health, nutrition, and sanitation.

Empowering and Protecting Slum Girls

Educating 100 Children in 2 Slums in Delhi

Urban Slum Health Action (USHA) Project

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

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

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

Disclaimer