Apnalaya

Maharashtra

Apnalaya is a secular voluntary organization, that has been building self-sustaining communities since 1973. It aims to empower the disadvantaged to overcome the social, political and economic barriers and help them lead a better quality of life. They work with the most marginalized people dwelling in the slums of Mumbai. There are 4,200 children under 6 years of age at the center of Apnalaya’s Health Program.

The Health and Disability related interventions emphasize on empowering community members to improve health seeking behavior and access healthcare instituted by government agencies. The Livelihood program equips young boys and girls, men and women to identify the potential of opportunities and turn them into economic productivity. They provide sewing classes, enroll and train women who otherwise have been under cultural restraints to stay away from income-generating activities.

209 women have economically benefited from Self Help groups organized by Apnalaya. The Education and citizenship program aims to bring together the volunteers from the community so that they have a better understanding of the challenges faced by their community and identify their responsibilities towards it. In 2017, Apnalaya was awarded the Champion Level- GuideStar India Platinum for highest levels of transparency and public accountability.