"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.

This Diwali, help Dr. Bhagat care for 500+ elderly parents rescued from abuse and homelessness

“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.

After fighting for India, former Air Force officer is now fighting to save abandoned women. Help him, donate now

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

Healthcare

This is a sample description for Community & Rural Development. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Community & Rural DevelopmentCommunity & Rural DevelopmentCommunity & Rural Development.

Community & Rural Development

This is a sample description for Disaster Relief. For the purpose of testing I will use the wordDisaster ReliefDisaster ReliefDisaster Relief.

Disaster Relief

This is a sample description for Environment For the purpose of testing I will use the word Hunger & HomelessnessHunger & HomelessnessHunger & Homelessness.

Hunger & Homelessness

This is a sample description for Human Rights. For the purpose of testing I will use the word Human RightsHuman RightsHuman Rights.

Human Rights

Swasti- The Health Catalyst. A not-for-profit society, Swasti is registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act 1960 (17th Section/ Registration No.134/2004- 05). The idea of Swasti was incubated 16 years ago by Catalyst Management Services Private Limited, with a mission to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable and marginalised communities; through action research and implementation, technical support, knowledge management and policy advocacy.The lived realities and life stories of every individual and community we work with and for, have inspired us to push for perspective change, paradigm shift and for impact at scale; often exploring out-of-the-box solutions for complex public health challenges. Inviting innovations from different sectors have allowed us to bring it to those who need it the most. ‘We Care. Innovate. Transform.’ This is our mantra and we use it to push our boundaries to affect communities positively, despite the insurmountable challenges that they face.Over the years, we have nudged ministries and governments across the world to lean towards policies that work for the poorest and most marginalised, translating some of these policies into solutions at scale. Our investment in building community institutions have resulted in substantial dividends, which have evolved into selfreliant, resilient organisations. We have walked with women in factories through simple, uncomplicated lifeskills modules that have seen them transform into change agents and formidable leaders in their communities. We have experienced the determination of a 13-member organisation of women in sex work, which has now expanded to a community of 15,000 members for more information please visit our website: www.swasti.org

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

R Govindraj

Shama Karkal

Rashmi

Sanjana Govindan

Jogin Desai

Swasti

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.

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

Damini*, a 67-year-old widow residing by herself in the Kutch district of Gujarat, faced massive losses during the Biparjoy cyclone in June 2023. Her house collapsed, leaving her with no shelter and food stock for the foreseeable future. Around six hundred miles away, in a slum area of Haryana, Veena* was facing a similar situation. The 34-year-old mother of two works as a laborer in nearby construction sites. Heavy rains in July flooded her house, causing extensive damage to her family's belongings. Veena’s livelihood and earning opportunities were also severely damaged by the flood. Major waterlogging had hampered all construction work, and the bridge connecting her house to the site collapsed due to heavy rainfalls. Sita*, a 45-year-old woman residing in Nabha, Punjab, was dealing with her husband’s sudden death and added financial responsibilities when the floods hit her home. Heavy rainwater filled her home, adding to her considerable burdens. She could not feed her young children as earning opportunities were hampered by the floods. The Community Action Collab (CAC) network sprang to action to help Damini, Veena, Sita and thousands of others affected by devastating climate emergencies. Facilitated by CAC, on-ground member organizations provided essential support to the impacted individuals. They distributed shelter kits, ration kits, and ready-to-eat kits to the people in need, helping them feed their families and ensuring they had adequate facilities to sleep at night. Your donation will help many other families like Veena or Sita’s. Floods, cyclones, and unseasonably heavy rainfall have become a yearly occurrence in many states of India. The severity and frequency of such emergencies are rising rapidly due to climate change, hitting vulnerable, lower-income communities the hardest. Where Will Your Money Go?Your donation will go towards procuring and organizing relief kits as per National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India’s advisory, enabling the CAC network to reach impacted families as soon as the next inevitable climate emergency occurs.It costs approximately $60 to support a family of 4 with relief materials for a month. A sample relief package will include: <ul><li>Food Materials: Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Oil</li><li>First aid medicine</li><li>Sanitary pads</li><li>Battery operated torch with extra batteries</li><li>Battery operated radio</li><li>Candles and matches in a waterproof container</li><li>Chlorine tablets or powdered water</li><li>Warm clothes </li></ul>*The contents of the kit are subject to the on ground needs of the affected community as reported by Community Action Collab members.Distributing the kits is an immediate intervention to help people impacted by climate emergencies with their basic, daily needs. When their urgent needs are provided for, the road towards rehabilitation and recovery becomes a little easier. Join us to reduce the food and shelter insecurities of 200 vulnerable families during climate emergencies.About Community Action Collab (CAC)Community Action Collab (CAC), is a dynamic humanitarian emergency platform that builds the resilience of vulnerable people and communities in their everyday emergencies and is ready for future humanitarian crises. CAC has responded to 8 climate emergencies since 2022, reaching over 47,000 vulnerable people with essential relief. CAC aims to arm frontline organizations with the necessary resources before an emergency occurs, minimizing the time needed to reach the affected people during the crisis itself. Swasti is a member of the Community Action Collab network and leads the health and wellbeing domain with 12 member organizations, working to build the health resilience of vulnerable populations.

Support 200 Vulnerable Families Survive Devastating Climate Emergencies in India

In Rajasthan's Kota, lives Susheela*, a 45-year-old woman from a tribal community. She was known for her melodious voice and heartfelt singing during religious ceremonies.One fateful day in July 2023, during an extended performance where Susheela sang her heart out for hours, she unknowingly made a great sacrifice. She had overused her voice to the point of damaging her voice box. Little did she know that she would have to pay such a high price for her devotion.Throughout the next two agonizing months, she suffered hoarseness in her speech and continuous discomfort in her vocal cords. Being a single woman and a divorcee who runs a small kirana shop, Susheela had no one to lean on. Not only could she not speak, she had no one to speak to. She was forced to face this nightmare alone as the pain in her throat became unbearable.Seeking help, Susheela visited a doctor who delivered terrible news – she had laryngitis, an inflammation of the voice box caused by overuse and infection. Surgery was recommended as the only solution, a troubling prospect given the emotional and financial toll it would take on her. Susheela would have to spend INR 60,000 and also recover all by herself.Just when she thought all hope was lost, she was enrolled in the community participatory surveillance program of the Call4Svasth (C4S) program by dedicated community health workers of C4S.Call4Svasth is a "phygital" (physical + digital) platform offering hyper-localised, community-led helplines staffed by trained healthcare professionals and counsellors. In September 2023, C4S's Nurse Aided Caller (NAC), Rahul, and nurse, Ravindra, connected with Susheela when she needed it the most. The NAC immediately linked her over a call with a team of caring nurses and doctors who took a different approach to her recovery. Instead of suggesting surgery, the doctor said, “I have seen your reports. Some people take only a couple of weeks to recover, while others may take up to six months. You must give your voicebox all the rest it deserves…” then the doctor prescribed some medication and a voice care regimen.With constant support and monitoring from C4S, Susheela's voice gradually healed, defying the need for surgery. She regained her voice and is doing very well now. During a follow-up call to check Susheela’s status, she answered with much enthusiasm saying, “May god bless you! I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I never knew one could receive treatment over the phone so thank you again!”Susheela's story shows how one woman, with the help of her community and her determination, managed to maintain her health and well-being despite the challenges posed by geography, logistics, and finances that people from vulnerable communities deal with every day. Telehealth and tele-care services can help us reach those with limited support. According to figures provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1809569" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">3 crore people were reached</a> via tele-consultations - the impact of tele-care in achieving Universal Health Coverage can be huge! Your Donation Matters: Susheela is one of 2,32,181 people Call4Svasth has been able to reach so far! C4S has been making last mile, primary healthcare delivery accessible to some of the hard-to-reach populations such as migrants, sex workers, tribal communities,, LGBTQIA+ people in urban and rural areas. Technology enables this process but C4S remains people-centric at its core. C4S works with 6 different types of communities in 8 states (Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) across India.Your donations can play a catalysing role in expanding this network of hope and healing that provides services like telehealth, tele-counselling, and access to social protection schemes. Together, we can empower voices like Susheela's to soothe our hearts once more. Join us in making a difference today!

Empowering Voices for Health and Healing through Call4Svasth's Telehealth Initiative

Geetha*, a 37-year-old tailor at a factory in Peenya, Bengaluru, had always been diligent in her work. However, in March 2024, she began to experience significant health issues including headaches, persistent tiredness, burning feet and blurred vision. With the onset of increased temperatures in April, her symptoms intensified, prompting her to seek medical attention. Although she received IV drip treatment at a local clinic, the relief was temporary. The significant turning point occurred in late May 2024, when Swasti’s Climate Care Champions Program conducted a Heat and Health workshop at her factory. During this session, Geetha disclosed her ongoing health challenges. The trained Climate Care Champions immediately recognized the symptoms as indicative of signs of heat stress and provided her with targeted recommendations for symptom management. They recommended her stay hydrated by drinking clean water regularly and reduce her intake of caffeine and sugary drinks, which can contribute to dehydration. They also suggested dietary adjustments including localised foods that help retain water, to wear light-coloured, breathable cotton clothing, and use an umbrella when outdoors to shield herself from the sun. Geetha diligently followed the team’s advice, and by mid-June 2024, she noticed significant improvements in her overall well-being. The headaches and tiredness began to fade, and the burning sensation in her feet lessened. Her overall energy levels increased, allowing her to focus better on her work and daily life. Geetha's story is a testament to the crucial role that Climate Care Champions play in identifying, preventing and managing health issues from climate change among vulnerable populations. The program’s targeted education sessions and individualised guidance enable individuals and communities to manage their health and well-being amidst extreme weather events. Her journey underscores the importance of continuous support and follow-up care in addressing the long-term impacts of climate-related health issues.Your Donation Matters: Geetha is one among the many participants in the Heat and Health workshop, a scalable training for health personnel to identify, prevent and manage the impacts of heat on human health. The pilot workshop was attended by participants from 6 states across India, who work with various vulnerable populations including urban poor, factory workers, LGBTQ+ persons, sex workers, small farmers and migrant workers. Your donations can play a catalysing role in enhancing the resilience of individuals Geetha, who are vulnerable to the adverse effects of extreme climate change but lack the necessary awareness and resources to protect themselves. By contributing to this cause, you are not just offering financial support—you are capaciting individuals and communities with the essential knowledge and tools needed to safeguard their health during heat waves. Join us in making a significant difference today!

Support 200 Vulnerable Families Survive Devastating Climate Emergencies in India

Empowering Voices for Health and Healing through Call4Svasth's Telehealth Initiative

Geetha's Journey to Health in the Face of a Heat Wave

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

This Diwali, help Dr. Bhagat care for 500+ elderly parents rescued from abuse and homelessness

After fighting for India, former Air Force officer is now fighting to save abandoned women. Help him, donate now

Disclaimer