Capacity building
Our project this year focused on empowering children, youth, and families affected by HIV/AIDS through various capacity-building initiatives. We conducted life skill camps for children, established children's parliaments, and provided educational support to 83 children. Our youth programs engaged 106 members across four groups, offering skill training and employment opportunities. We transformed parent support groups into 13 self-help groups, benefiting 171 women. The project also organized events like Balmela and Mahila Mela, providing joyful experiences for 115 children and 159 women respectively. Public awareness campaigns, including a World AIDS Day rally, aimed to reduce stigma and discrimination. Throughout the year, we conducted home visits, counseling sessions, and stakeholder capacity building to ensure comprehensive support. Our efforts have resulted in improved education, employment, and empowerment for our beneficiaries, contributing to their overall well-being and independence.
Referral and Linkages
This year, our help desk continued to play a vital role in providing referrals and linkages for our beneficiaries, especially in the post-COVID era. We successfully connected 158 individuals to various services, including educational tools, skill training programs, government schemes, and medical support. Our network of partnerships with NGOs and government offices has been instrumental in achieving these linkages. In the legal domain, we referred one beneficiary for legal support, with the case currently in process, while following up on two cases from the previous year. Our medical assistance efforts were bolstered by a collaboration with Budrani Eye Care Institute, which conducted eye check-ups for 108 children and parents/caregivers. As a result of this initiative, 52 individuals received much-needed eyeglasses, and those requiring further treatment were referred to specialist doctors. These efforts demonstrate our commitment to providing comprehensive support and improving the overall well-being of our beneficiaries.
Rehabilitation
Our rehabilitation efforts this year focused on providing essential nutritional support and career guidance to our beneficiaries. We distributed nutrition kits to 182 children and 48 adolescents, including orphans, single orphans, and family members living with HIV infection. This nutritional assistance aims to reduce the risk of opportunistic infections and support ART medicine effectiveness. Some of these kits were generously donated by other social organizations. Additionally, we conducted career guidance activities for 10th and 12th-grade students, recognizing the critical nature of this period in their academic journey. These sessions helped 21 students prepare for board exams, adopt SMART study techniques, and make informed decisions about their future career paths. By addressing both physical health through nutrition and mental well-being through career guidance, we strive to provide comprehensive support for our beneficiaries' overall development and future success.
Network & Activity
Networking and advocacy were pivotal to our project's success this year, focusing on capacity building for our beneficiaries. We actively participated in HPNN, an NGO group that advocates for beneficiary rights and addresses their issues through regular meetings. Our networking efforts extended to various organizations and government departments, including Lighthouse, Tech Mahindra, VIPLA Foundation, the District Collector's office, PMC Commissioner, PMPML Director, and Samaj Vikas Vibhag. These collaborations facilitated access to crucial initiatives such as free bus passes, the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, urban poor health cards, and the formation of self-help groups. As a result, we successfully linked 158 beneficiaries to various schemes including SGY, PM Swayam Rojgar Nidhi, health cards, and free bus passes. Additionally, we partnered with CFAR to strengthen our advocacy efforts with the Legal Aid Authority and government, aiming to secure rights and improve scheme access for our beneficiaries. These networking and advocacy activities have significantly enhanced our ability to support and empower our community.