Help a HIV child with monthly groceries by Swadhar IDWC (Institute for Development of Women & Children)

Help a HIV+ child with monthly groceries

Impact

Mhalappa is now an active child despite being HIV+

Mhalappa is a 7-year-old boy from a poor family in Ram Nagar, Pune. His parents died of AIDS and he and his sister were sent to live with their aunt and uncle.

Both the children were HIV+ as well. Mhalappa fell ill often. He had Tuberculosis and could not attend school regularly. Over time, he had to **leave school because of his absenteeism. **The family did not have the money to get him the right nutrition and treatment. His aunt and uncle were distraught and did not know what they could do to improve his health and keep him going.

He was discovered by Swadhar and added to their project, Rays of Hope. They put him on a protein rich diet of peanuts, jaggery, dates, eggs, and milk powder. This began to increase his strength and immunity. They also provided him antiretroviral treatment recommended by his doctor.

Mhalappa’s strength has improved a great deal because of Swadhar’s help. He goes to the centre every month with his aunt to collect his nutritional supplements. He has also started going to school regularly.**

Mhalappa is now a much more active and happy child. Although he is still susceptible to infections, his aunt and uncle are confident about his growth. The love and security they provide keeps him going.

Children like Mhalappa need all the strength they can get. Your donation will give the food and nutrition that their poor families cannot afford. You can give with confidence because every program on our platform is GIVEASSURED.

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You will be sponsoring the benefits for different beneficiaries every month


About The Program

What the beneficiary gets
Rations
Nutrition
What you get
Tax Exemption
Periodic Reports
Program Description

Swadhar's project 'Rays of Hope' was started in 2005 for the rehabilitation of HIV+ve children and children with HIV+ve parents.The aim of this project is to rehabilitate these children by giving them support in the form of grocery, medicines, education, emotional support and helping them to live a dignified life.

The children are referred and validated through home visits. The beneficiaries are provided with groceries and other nutritional supplements like eggs, milk powder, dates etc monthly. All the children visit the center with their care-takers where they get nutritional supplements. The HIV+ children also receive medical support and all of them receive educational support.

Close to 150 children are under the foster care scheme. There are many children on the waiting list for the want of financial assistance.Donate to this program so that the children can get access to proper food to help them grow into healthy adults.

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About The NGO

Swadhar IDWC (Institute for Development of Women & Children)
Swadhar IDWC (Institute for Development of Women & Children) Logo
Swadhar IDWC (Institute for Development of Women & Children)

Swadhar's Founder Meenakshi Apte was a professor and HOD of Family & Child Welfare in TISS. She witnessed many cases of domestic violence against women. She feels that ignorance amongst women is the main cause of their suffering so in order to have someplace where they can be guided, counseled and made aware of their rights, she and other like-minded women came together and Swadhar was started.

Swadhar's mission is to provide services like education, training, guidance, and counseling to underprivileged women and children in order to ensure the protection of their rights, self-reliance, and empowerment.They work towards empowering women and girls through counseling, awareness & education. The organization also conducts reading and overall development classes for children from underprivileged families. Their ray of hope programs works with children who are HIV infected or children whose parents are infected. Groceries, medicines, and nutrition are provided to them.

In 2015, Sanjivani Hingne was awarded the VatsalyaPuraskar by the Akhil Brahmin MadhyavartiSanstha Rehabilitation of children of sex workers. In 2016, Nayana Deshmukh was awarded the Excellence in work by the Lokmanyanagar senior citizens club and the Teachers day award by the Lions Club Care & protection of Children.

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founders
Founded in 1991
NGO Leadership

Sanjivani Hingne

areas of operation
Area of Operation
Area of Operation

HIV/AIDS | children

location of work
Location of Work
Location of Work

Maharashtra

awards
Awards And Recognitions
Awards And Recognitions

2015: VatsalyaPuraskar

last audited
Last Audited
Periodic Compliance Checks by GiveIndia

Renewals FY 19-20

reporting
Verification Visit Reports
Verification Visit Reports

Verification Report 1

Verification Report 2

Verification Report 3

Program Updates

Program Updates

22 September, 2023

An update on the program you are supporting

#9

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Activities and work undertaken in the last 5-6 months

Total number of beneficiaries impacted was 227 in Pune with 68.89% being females


Challenges faced and next steps

We covered 227 beneficiaries from 222 families. As they received grocery and nutrition in time, the weight of the Beneficiaries increased, and their health and CD4 count. 18 children could appear for the 10th board exam. 9 children could appear for the 12th exam. In July 2022, an eye screening camp was organized for the beneficiaries and their parents. Doctors, Counsellors and lab technicians from K.K. Hospital conducted the camp. 92 beneficiaries and their parents benefited from this camp. 39 beneficiaries were given free spectacles and 6 beneficiaries were sent to K.K. Hospital for follow-up as they needed proper hospital treatment


Stories from the ground

Success story Krushna Background: He was studying in 1st at Sundarabai Madhyamik Vidyalaya Vadgaonsheri. Krushna�s father left his mother and child 7 years ago when they were ill. Mother Kavita and Krushna left Karnataka and came to Pune to take shelter with Kavita's sister at Vadgaonsheri. Krishna is brilliant in his studies. When he came to Swadhar Rays of Hope(RoH), the center mother Kavita and Krushna were very sick for 4 days without food in their stomach. Krishna�s BMI was 13.7 at that time. Help was very much needed. Follow-up: He was given a grocery kit, medical help, and education help. As the mother and child received help with food and mental support, a different happiness was visible on their faces. Impact: Swadhar�s monthly grocery kit support and counseling helped Krushna�s to increase their appetite and his BMI increased to 14.2. Mother got .


22 December, 2022

Help a HIV child with monthly groceries

#8

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Activities and work undertaken in the last 5-6 months

a) Any milestones achieved? Through the main activity of Rays of Hope, we distributed ration kits to beneficiaries. In January Covid-19 affected beneficiaries physically, mentally, and financially. Their situation was too difficult for them to handle. Due to Covid-19 beneficiary was in desperation. Counseling activities are also performed masterfully in this scenario. The project could successfully pull out 72% of children (163 out of 227) from SAM (Severe acute malnourishment) category to MAM (Moderate acute malnourishment) category. In 19% of children (43 out of 227), the weight is constant and in 9% of children, (21 out of 227), the weight is reduced.

b). Major events

  1. A Cancer screening camp for women was organized with the help of Prayas NGO and 40 women benefited.
  2. 18th children could appear for the 10th board exam 2021-22.

c) Areas covered (cities, states regions etc) Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corp area and adjoining villages

d) Number of people impacted directly/indirectly Direct Beneficiaries (Total No. of children registered under the project - 227 Indirect No of Beneficiaries (siblings + Parents) - 681 Total no. of beneficiaries - 908


Challenges faced and next steps

1 Due to the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, information about the disease is not obtained from the infected person. To overcome the same, discussion sessions are organized through group activities. 2. In rural areas, the beneficiaries do not want social workers to visit them, fearing that their illness will be disclosed. To address it, social workers make home visits as a relative or a teacher and take the personal information of the beneficiary. Social worker fills out the registration form after coming to the centre . 3. Since the beneficiary's parents are uneducated, they do not get adequate information and the address given during the home visit cannot be found or they are rarely contacted. Regards this issue we follow the steps as below:

  1. When beneficiaries come to the center to collect grocery kits, the social worker accompanies them to their home.

  2. The social worker observed the family's situation.

  3. These methods work best for home visits.

  4. A number of activities are planned for children, but children from rural areas cannot attend all the activities due to long distances. When we plan grocery distribution, we conduct some activities on that day. Through this planning, all children can attend the activities.

Our goal and plan for the next 6 months of this program. July 2022: Rakhi making workshop for 13 to 18 age group children - To help children understand relationship August 2022: 0 to12 Children activity - Making a Ganesh murti, celebration Raksha Bandhan & Dahihandi - To strengthen the muscles of children’s hands September 2022: Essay and drawing competition - To give scope to artistic talents October 2022: Diya making workshop for children - Fun activity to enhance their creativity and imagination November 2022: 1.Greeting card making workshop, 2.Mehandi competition - A fun activity to enhance their creativity and imagination December 2022: Home-based care training for HIV +ve beneficiaries & their parents - All parents and 100 children are HIV +ve. They fall sick very often. They should know what care and precautions to be taken to avoid any mishap.

Goals:

  1. To conduct awareness a program in rural areas where there is a huge misconception about HIV/AIDS.
  2. To organize health camps in view of an increasing number of malnourished Children in rural areas.
  3. Economic empowerment by giving priority to education and vocational training.

Stories from the ground

Success story Pranav Background: Pranav was registered on 1st December 2020 at Swadhar Rays of Hope Project HIV infected & affected children help center in Shaniwar Peth Pune. This case was referred from AFMC Vanvadi hospital Pune. Pranav is a 16 year-old HIV+ve boy. His father died of AIDS and his mother also had HIV. He has 2 negative elder sisters. He is studying 11th class in Ahilyadevi Junior College in Jejuri Taluka, in Purandar district Pune. He was brilliant in his studies. He had 70% marks in 10th std. When he registered in the Rays of Hope project his Cd4 count was 340. The family situation was dire so his mother got his two sisters married soon. Pranav’s mother Seema is constantly ill. So, Pranav after completing college sold drinking water bottles at Jejuri fort and meets the monthly expenses of both his mother and him. The income from this is used to cover the education and illness expenses of both of them. The situation was dire and help was needed urgently. Intervention: The social worker visited Pranav’s home the next day. The case was presented before the committee and grocery set, medical aid, and educational aid were started. The family was first given psychological support to the mother and the child. They were continuously counselled on how to face this situation. Pranav has been counselled for adherence to ART medicine. Impact: Pranav changed drastically due to counselling. With Swadhar’s help and continuous counselling process, Pranav’s Cd4 count increased to774. Weight also increased to 40kg. Pranav supplies drinking water bottles and provides financial support for his family. He wants to complete his education. Life is getting brighter.


23 May, 2022

GiveIndia Program Reporting July to December 2021

#7

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Activities and work undertaken in the last 5-6 months

The period from July to December 2021 was a bit of a struggle. The second wave of COVID-19 was in its plateau stage, due to which considerable restrictions on movement were still in place. As one of the objectives of our project is to reduce the "food insecurity" of the children we are working with, we continued with monthly grocery distribution at both our centers. The specific purpose of this activity is to address hunger, illness, and insecurity that interrupt the normal activities of these children.  Below is a list of some more activities that we conducted during this period: •Workshop on physical, emotional, and psychological changes in boys during adolescence and how to deal with them. Ten boys participated in the workshop. •Online training for adolescent girls on physical, mental, and emotional changes during adolescence and how to deal with them. Seven girls participated in the training. • A reading and writing workshop for people of all ages to evaluate their reading skills. The workshop was attended by 25 beneficiaries. • Beneficiaries can participate in a diya-making workshop. The aim was to allow them to express their talent, skills, and creativity (following all the rules of COVID-19). The response from the children was good. All 75 beneficiaries participated in the workshop. • Diwali greeting card workshop (following all COVID-19 rules).Approximately 25 participants. beneficiaries participated in the workshop. • Special counseling for a beneficiary who has gone blind as a result of HIV infection, as well as for his mother and sister, regarding the beneficiary's admission to a residential institute. He was admitted to Snehalaya Ahmednagar in Anamprem residential institution.  • Social workers completed 19 in-person home visits and 15 online home visits for new cases.52 new cases started • A new beneficiary's education had been halted due to her critical health condition. With the help and counseling imparted by our social workers, she was admitted to class 8 at the Municipal Corporation School in Kondhve Dhawde.  • For eye treatment, another beneficiary and his mother were referred to Natasha Eye Care Clinic and Research Centre. • Rita Kothari, President of the Rotary Club of Poona West, visited our center and learned about the project and the needs of the beneficiaries. The total number of beneficiaries impacted through our intervention in this period was 227 children (177 infected and 50 affected) and 681 parents and siblings.


Challenges faced and next steps

One of the main objectives of our project is to move undernourished children from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) to moderate acute malnutrition (MAM), which requires measuring their vital statistics (such as height, weight, and BMI) regularly and then providing appropriate suggestions for nutrition. However, as a result of COVID restrictions, we could not call the beneficiaries to the centre. Due to a lack of personal interaction, we could not assess their nourishment or malnutrition levels and provide any solutions. There was also a restriction on the number of participants for workshops and sessions. 

Most of the beneficiaries in rural areas face a lot of financial and emotional problems. With no emotional support, they look forward to in-person conversations with our social workers. Once again, due to COVID restrictions, these in-person counselling sessions could not take place. Our social workers had to conduct online counseling, which has its own barriers. 

Due to severe financial constraints, beneficiaries also could not travel from their homes in the rural areas to the centre (which is located in the city). Sometimes, beneficiaries are called to the hospital multiple times, which is difficult for them. 

There was a scarcity of ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) medicines at the centre. Beneficiaries could not afford to purchase them from the outside due to financial constraints. They could not take their medicines on time, which led to further complications and an increase in opportunistic infections. 

Due to a lack of smartphones and poor data connectivity, many children experienced a loss of learning.

Plan for the next 6 months

Health

We plan to increase in-person counselling sessions to provide emotional support to the beneficiaries. 

Education

Plan to provide data connectivity to students in classrooms.

plan to sponsor the tuition fees of children who need extra support. Children need school bags and books. 

Economic conditions

We plan to cover the maximum number of children under the foster care scheme run by the state government. The allowance of 1100 RS per child will help them financially. We also plan to provide financial support to women who lost their jobs during COVID and help them set up their own small businesses (such as vegetable stalls, etc.). 


Stories from the ground

During the lockdown, schools and colleges were closed, making it difficult to give any success stories from this period. However, we would like to talk about one of our older beneficiaries. 

The case of Chaitanya Ramakrishna Vayal was registered on December 11, 2017, at Swadhar Rays of Hope Project HIV/AIDS Infected and Affected Help Center, Shaniwar Peth, Pune. The case was registered by Sassoon Hospital, Pune. Chaitanya's mother died of HIV/AIDS 10 years ago. Pooja and Chaitanya were both HIV positive. His father and elder sister were negative. 15-year-old Chaitanya was studying at the New English School, Tilak Road, Pune. He was smart in his studies. He got 90% marks in the 8th standard, but his CD 4 counts were 280. The situation was dire. After the death of his mother, all the responsibility suddenly fell on his elder sister, Mayuri. Their father was constantly sick with asthma.

Intervention: Since Chaitanya's family situation was very bad, he was given a food kit, medical help, and educational help. Mayuri used to work from 9.30 am to 7 pm, due to which the youngest sibling, Pooja, got neglected and she started getting sick constantly. Mayuri once again reached out to the social worker at the Swadhar Rays of Hope project. The social worker repeatedly counseled their father and Mayuri and offered mental and emotional support. 

Counseling has brought about a radical change in consciousness. With the help of Swadhar and continuous counseling, Mayuri handled the situation properly. Chaitanya’s CD4 count was 1102 and his weight was 50 kg. He is now pursuing his B. Com at S.V. Union Junior College, works at the billing counter in the same shop where his sister works and earns 6000 per month. Thus, thanks to funds raised by GiveIndia and efforts made by Swadhar social workers, Chaitanya is now earning and learning and is in a position to complete his education successfully. 


4 October, 2021

Help a HIV child with monthly groceries

#6

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Activities and work undertaken in the last 5-6 months

This was a period of complete lockdown. Our main aim was to explore ways to avoid the starvation of children and family members. A planned decision was taken to transfer funds to their saving banks account and enable them to purchase food from grocery stores in their neighbourhood. Initially, online money was transferred to the beneficiary’s parent’s bank accounts.Distribution of food coupons is being done every month since the lockdown has started: Considering the Covid-19 situation and physical distancing norms, the project team decided to use food coupons instead of physically distributing dry groceries to 142 children from 134 families. In keeping with the Covid-19 protocol, at any given time only 5 parents (maintaining physical distancing) were given food coupons to avoid a rush at the centre. They could collect groceries from the designated stores at their convenience. Moreover, sanitary pads were also distributed to the adolescent girls. Other activities were undertaken: - The project Team created WhatsApp groups, one for children and another for mothers. The idea was to conduct counselling sessions and group activities for children and parents. 1) Counselling sessions on different issuesa) Family counselling: Most parents had lost their jobs. Counselling them and children their assumed paramount importance. Individual counselling was conducted for the most vulnerable ie. HIV infected children.b) Adherence to medicine counselling: Infected adolescent children who are undergoing ART (Anti Retro-Viral Treatment) got depressed and stopped taking medicine. Social workers had to counsel and convince them of the importance of medicine and why they should stick to the regimen.c) School Counselling: It was difficult for children to attend online school, especially children from rural areas. Having a smartphone and getting an internet connection were huge hurdles. The project team conducted an online session on career guidance for children of class 10th & 12th. Topic covered was government & private courses after 10th & 12th std. 2) Workshops a) Workshops on art and craft were conducted online. Children painted amazing pictures. b) Online session was conducted for adolescent girls. Topics covered were HIV discloser, physical and psychological changes during adolescence, feelings of love, affection and friendship for the opposite sex and how to guard yourself against the dangers. c)Online meeting was arranged with parents. Problems faced by beneficiary families in covid pandemic 2nd wave were discussed. Topics covered were 1) education 2) behavioural problems of children 3) financial problems faced by families.d) Most parents had lost their jobs, some temporarily and others permanently. A few parents who lost jobs were given money to start a small business, like selling vegetables which they are even now running successfully. e)Covid 19 information video was sent to parents and an online session was taken on how to fill the related questionnaire. Information on Stress management during the Corona lockdown period was sent to parents. Later a questionnaire on the topic was given and feedback was collected from 35 parents. a) Any milestones achieved? beneficiary’s good health / stable weight, CD4 count The covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc by devastating families and severely impacting children. All beneficiaries of RoH are acutely vulnerable to any infection due to their HIV status and social conditions. Very fortunately, none of the beneficiaries contracted the Covid infection possibly because of continuous awareness about the disease, precautions to be taken and timely support of grocery and nutritional supplements. Their weights were stable. They didn’t slip down to SAM (severely acute malnourishment) category. The latest CD4 count is not available but all children are in good health and none of them suffered from Covid 19 pandemic.b) Any major events? 1)15 children could appear for the 10th Board Exam. 2)The mothers of the beneficiaries who lost their jobs started a small business of selling vegetables and making masalas with the initial help from the projectc)Areas covered (cities, states region etc)Pune & Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corp area and adjoining villages.d) the number of people impacted? Direct Beneficiaries (Total No. of children registered under the project-142Indirect No of Beneficiaries (siblings + Parents)- 426Total no. of beneficiaries -568 e)how were they impacted or helped?Our main aim was to avoid starvation of children and family members and this could be achieved successfully by providing grocery kits consisting of protein-rich supplements every month. Not a single family remained hungry and not a single child got Covid infection.


Challenges faced and next steps

Initially, the project transferred money online to beneficiaries account which helped them to buy grocery at shops close to their homes. Later on, beneficiaries started coming to the centre, only five people at a time so the project could utilize the funds in supporting children’s school fees, buying medicines for sick children We could save some donated amount on transportation since activities were conducted online.1. Challenges faced- Those who did not have the facility to go to the bank initiallyOvercome- With the help of some social organisations and the corporation, the beneficiaries got food & grocery2. Challenges faced- It was difficult to communicate with a beneficiary because every family has only one mobile and it was with the motherOvercome- Social workers changed the timing to suit it with the timing of the parents. Most of the time it was late in the evenings after parents came back from the work3. Challenges faced- Ignorance about using a phone for online activityOvercome- Taught parents & children how to use the mobile phones4. Challenges faced- Before the covid 19 periods it was difficult for the ROH team to work online Overcome- During the covid 19 period, the ROH team learned to work online.What is your goal /aim /activity plan for the next 6months for this program?Next 6 months planning July to Dec 20211. July-Activity- Career guidance for 10th,12th pass children, the importance of vocational trainingAim- Help them to stand on their feet quickly and start earning2. August-Activity- 1. Covid 19 Vaccination for parents 2. To arrange Covid 19 workshop to send a message to be strong and secure, let’s fight the coronavirus together 3. Workshop on physical and psychological changes in adolescent girlsAim- 1. Protect them from Covid infection.2. Importance of precautions to be taken, using a mask, washing hands and keeping social distance3. Educate them3. September-Activity-1. Reading & writing workshop for younger children2. Training for parents on essential documents/ Government policies and guiding them to procure themAim-1. Prepare them for joining school again after a gap of one and a half year2. Important documents are essential to get any benefits from Govt schemes and parents should know about it4. October-Activity- Diya making workshop for childrenAim- Fun activity to enhance their creativity and imagination5. November-Activity-1. Greeting card making workshop 2. Mehandi competitionAim- Fun activity to enhance their creativity and imagination6. December-Activity- Home-based care training for HIV +ve beneficiaries &their parentsAim-All parents and 100 children are HIV +ve. They fall sick very often. They should know what care and precautions to be taken to avoid any mishap.


Stories from the ground

Stories from the ground:Background: -Pramod Pawar was registered in Pune centre on 15th March 2018. He was a 15 yrs old HIV+, a severely malnourished boy with CD- 4 Count only 238. He lost his mother to AIDS when he was only a year old. His father took care of him. He was also HIV +ve. He had a small farm where he used to live with Pramod. Intervention: - The case was presented before the committee after a home visit was done by the social worker. Pramod needed support for everything. A grocery set, nutritional supplement, medical help and educational aid were started immediately. Both father and son were very depressed and needed counselling to face society and the world with courage. Pramod started showing good progress in his studies.Impact: - In March 2020, Pramod’s CD4 count increased to 896 after two years of relentless efforts from our social workers. He was in better health. He passed the 10th Board exam with 68% marks. He also passed the 12th exam but unfortunately, his father passed away in Covid 19 pandemic. Now Pramod has got a job in “Pat Sanstha” (Credit Union) with Rs 10000/pm salary. He is 18 yrs old and just got out of the project. He is living alone but is in contact with the social workers when he feels lonely and depressed and they show him the ‘Rays of Hope.’


23 March, 2021

Feed a malnourished child living with HIV/AIDS *

#5

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Updates from April 2020 to December 2020


This was a period of complete lock down and there were restrictions on movement. Our aim was to explore ways to avoid starvation of children and family members. This was made easy as grocery stores everywhere were open. A planned decision was taken to transfer funds to their saving banks account and enable them to purchase food from grocery stores in their neighborhood. online bank transfer of funds was done for five months.
Now, as a safety precaution we have started distribution of food coupons every month, only 5 people at a time, to all beneficiaries. Now, they collect their groceries from the designated stores at their convenience. This helps non crowding at office and also in the shop. In this period, we have also added sanitary napkins in the coupon for adolescent girls.


Other activities:


Children were in a precarious condition, as all members were at home 24*7: a condition that none of them knew how to deal with. In addition, was uncertainty of period of lockdown. Most parents had lost their jobs either temporarily or permanently. Counselling children assumed paramount importance. We maintained dialogue with them regularly.
Individual counseling was conducted for the most vulnerable i.e. infected children.
We created WhatsApp groups, one for children and another for mothers. The idea was conducting group activities.
For children, we held a drama workshop and another one on Bharat Natyam dance therapy for adolescent girls.
We conducted an on- line session on career guidance for 19 children who passed 10th and 12th standard Board Exam.10 beneficiaries participated.
Various group discussions were held with children on how to spend time fruitfully.
To the parents, we sent information on Stress management during corona Lock down period.
Later we sent a questionnaire on the topic and collected feedback from 35 women.
Next we sent Covid 19 information video & took an online session on how to fill questionnaire on Corona information.


A common Online session on Adherence was conducted.
Dec 1 to Dec 8. Is AIDS week, we arranged an interactive session for HIV +ve adolescents and covered topic like ART adherence & online education in Covid lockdown period. 6 adolescents participated. Our social workers were felicitated by Wipro Cares on this AIDS Day.


Success
After online counseling Sangita set up a vegetable stall. We have helped her in every possible way



5 July, 2020

Feeding : noblest of the deeds !

#4

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Feeding : noblest of the deeds !




Children in the project are very weak and anaemic. They fall sick and miss the school very often. Now after continuous efforts to give them nutritious food to reduce their weakness, we see improvement in their weight which leads to better health, better attendance in school and better chances to complete school education.


Here is the Weight Chart


Total No of children=140


Weight gain=80 (57.14%)
Weight loss=22 (15.71%)
Weight constant=38 (27.14%)



19 November, 2019

Children extremely happy to receive grocery packages

#3

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Children extremely happy to receive grocery packages








22 July, 2019

#2

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Program Update


Objective
Provide nutritional, educational, medical and psychological support to HIV infected /affected children and their families.
Promote education/vocational training to improve the employability and make them financially independent
Specific Purpose - Children face severe problem of starvation and malnourishment due to challenged socio-economic background. We aim to reduce ‘food insecurity’ in them


Support given
 Once a child is identified, home visit is done to check the background
 The report made according to 10 parameters prepared by the team.
 Child’s anthropometry and BMI done to gauge the level of malnourishment.
 Depending upon the result grocery support is started.


Story from the field


Vipul’s childhood was not like that of a normal child but was full of trials and tribulations.


The family migrated to Pune from a neighbouring village in search of work. Vipul’s father bought a rickshaw. Before earning enough, he succumbed to AIDS before Vipul’s birth. Both Vipul and his mother tested HIV +ve. So their family disowned them.
To tide over this hopeless situation, Vipul’s mother started searching desperately for some support. They reached Swadhar and Vipul was registered with Rays of Hope project in 2005. His CD4 count at that point of time was 548. Over the years the count increased steadily and when he left the project (having completed 18 years) in 2013 it had risen to 1134


Throughout these years, Swadhar offered them support in the form of grocery nutritional supplement, edu.and medical help


Realising the importance of making him financially independent, our social worker encouraged him to enrol at Mahindra Pride School for vocational training which he enthusiastically did. Today he is a well settled, responsible youth. He got married recently and has happily settled down. He is an enlightened young boy who knows how important it is to take control of his life and health.


What is the expected total number of beneficiaries in this program for FY18-19?140
What is the number of beneficiaries/ benefits provided in this program, Year-To-Date400
Village/City/State where project is locatedPune/Maharashtra
Total Budget for the project for FY18-193800000
Total Expenses for the project YTD3800000

23 May, 2019

#1

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Program Update


Our main goal is.to develop systems to provide support to infected/affected children and family for living a dignified life.We are also looking forward in enhancing the capacity of Government and civil society organizations to address the issues of HIV/AIDS affected children.
These beneficiaries primarily face severe problem of starvation and improper nutrition due to challenged socio-economic background..Project Rays of Hope (ROH) aims to reduce ‘food insecurity’ of the beneficiaries
We have been providing grocery and nutritional supplement every month to all 140children as well as medical check-up and medical aid as and when needed. We have also ensured the provision of educational aid to all d)Counselling as and when needed


Story from the field


A weak and sickly girl Asavari and her equally sick mother Seema approached our center about three years back. Asavari’s father had succumbed to AIDs within 13 years of their marriage. Asavari was just three years old then. After her father’s death Asavari and her mother got admitted to G O. M’s Sassoon Hospital. Both tested HIV+ve and administered anti-Retro viral treatment. With no source of income, the health of both of them became increasingly critical. Seema later started living with her mother and found a job as a watchman earning around Rupees. five thousand per mensem.
Intervention: This back ground, called for help to all three of them in whatever way we could. We started providing both of them and also Seema’s mother with groceries to help them to tide over possibility of starvation, nutritional supplements to improve their overall wellbeing and school fees to help Asavari to remain in mainstream education and study like any normal child.
Asavari who was a weakling about three years ago is now a confident and healthy girl studying in Xth std. Her CD 4 count has also risen to 1034 indicative of improved resistance to diseases & opportunistic infections.


What is the number of beneficiaries/ benefits provided in this program, Year-To-Date250
Village/City/State where project is locatedPune/ Pimpri-Chinchwad/Maharashtra
Total Budget for the project for FY18-193760000
Total Expenses for the project YTD1973707

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