AMIT CHOPRA

are our life members and employees. All of them have a say in the policies of Snehalaya. This helps us to identify current needs of the communities we work with, increasing the possibility of success in whatever we do,” informs Dr Priti.

She continues, “Snehalaya has set out several objectives as part of their mission this year. These include a ‘Child Marriage Free District’ initiative, a ‘Back to Community Program’ for children in shelter homes through aftercare homes, an ideal slum re-development and replicable module designing- Livelihood focused project, advocacy and awareness campaigns in villages to eradicate gender related atrocities, the creation of training modules for replicable projects like Balbhavan and Snehadhar, and finally the creation of a systemic individualistic intervention and rehabilitation plan for each beneficiary. Additionally, Snehalaya is striving to increase awareness about mental health issues, giving focussed solutions for people living with mental ailments like Schizophrenia and providing various therapies for mental ailments under one roof for those in need.” Not just the women and children belonging to the lower strata of society, but Snehalaya has also touched the lives of each individual associated with it.

Commenting about the same, Dr Priti says proudly, “Snehalaya has shaped the lives not only of its beneficiaries but also the employees, volunteers, other sister organisations-their founders, national and international visitors, students attending our Yuvanirman camps, and all those who have known Snehalaya in some or the other way. Snehalaya gives the much-needed love, care and affection, which is an integral basic need of all humans. In the journey of more than three decades, Snehalaya has been the home of love for us all. It is one of the few organisations, which remains highly engaged in grassroots work and also works at the advocacy level when it comes to the rights of women and children. Though it is primarily an employee-driven organisation, we welcome some of the best volunteers from across India as well as abroad. Snehalaya has encouraged more than 25 new social organisations and their group of founders to start work in their areas on issues which are prevalent in their work area. We look forward to spreading this awareness of giving back to society in more youths to ensure a gradual but definite change in the world.” With his incredible contribution to society, it is no surprise that Dr Girish Kulkarni has been invited to various workshops and motivational gatherings to share his story and inspire others. He has been invited to speak at several places as an expert, including TEDx India, JNU, Think India, IIT Delhi, Rambhau Mhalgi Pratishthan, Pune, and the Bhabha Atomic Research

Driven by the motto — “Who else but me? If not today, then when?” Dr Girish Kulkarni has always believed that if we want to change society, we ourselves need to start working to achieve it, and the best time to start working for it is now and today! More power to this humanitarian and social worker, may his tribe increase.

Darpan Salutes Dr Girish Kulkarni and his praiseworthy foundation — Sneha-

Note: Those wanting to assist Snehalaya with its mission can start by sharing the NGO’s social media posts and following their official social media pages. One can even connect with the organisation for volunteering opportunities by writing to them at info@snehalaya.org or joyce@snehalaya.org. People wanting to further extend a helping hand can also run fundraisers on various crowdfunding platforms like Give India, Global Giving, etc… For more details to associate with the organisation visit Sneha-

Snehalaya’s Current Projects At A Glance

Snehankur: Started in 2004 to provide Neonatal and post-natal facilities for abandoned infants and children up to 6 years

Snehadhar: : Strives to provide shelter, counselling, legal aid, vocational training and education, for young girls and women in difficult circumstances

The One-Stop Centre [SAKHI]: Helps oppressed and exploited women find justice. Medical facilities are provided to victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, acid attacks, as well as assistance to seek legal aid is provided

• Childline: Free children’s helpline — 1098. Started in 2003, we work closely with local emergency and allied services to counsel and rescue children who are at risk Rehab Center: We offer foster care to orphans and children who have been abandoned by their families, as well as minors who have been rescued from the sex trade and children living with HIV FBC: Our Family-Based Care team is fully committed to extending our current childcare provision to introduce more family-based care options to our current beneficiaries living in our childcare institution to ensure their full development

• Himmatgram: Since its inception in 2009, this organic 30 acre farm with a dairy has provided an alternative to former sex workers and people with HIV to assist them to make a new life for themselves that is self-sufficient and contributes to the wellbeing of their families

• GKN centre for rehab: Started in 2016 for 18-year-old and above boys, the rehab centre provides short-term dormitory accommodation and food.

• Manasgram: Mentally unstable patients are treated and rehabilitated through this project.

• Balbhavan: Started in 2003 in slums, we impart, value education and community development, playgroups, after school tuition, organize health camps and workshops, sports and cultural activities, initiate self-help groups

• Snehalaya English Medium School: Provides education to children struggling in mainstream school as a result of their financial constraints or health issues

• Centre of Hope-IT centre: Imparting Computer classes for all levels, providing knowledge from word processing basics to specialised courses software and Photoshop to students who are unable to pursue computer courses due to poor economic conditions

• Agriculture Training Centre: Residential project since 2016, which provides employ ability-orientated training for farming tech nicians and agri- entrepreneurs from drought stricken areas - migration

• Snehalaya Skill Development project: Started in October 2020, this project introduces the school children from standard 8th to 10th to various skill enhancement courses like beautician, 2 wheeler repair, fabrication etc… so that they can choose a trade of their choice if they want to pursue a career in the same

• Caring friends hospital and research centre: Started in a make shift facility in 1994, this centre is now converted to a 30 bedded hospital in 2017 which provides healthcare and latest medical treatment to those that others turn away due to financial constraints and HIV/AIDS

• Snehjyot TI 1, TI2 & Snehabandhan: We rescue and rehabilitate trafficked and forced sex workers, provide them with a safe haven, free counselling, legal aid, medical facilities, vocational training and alternatives to sex work, for the ones who wish to start a new life.

• Mobile Medical care unit: The Mobile Medical Van is used to conduct health camps at remote rural areas and villages which do not have access to medical facilities easily.

• Community Health Centre: Highly maintained Health facility centre for all at subsi dized rates

• Yuvanirman: Since 2003, we welcome the next generation of social workers and activists to learn more about our work and discuss social issues, and motivate them to give back to the society

• Radionagar 90.4 FM: This is the first com munity radio station in Ahmednagar started in 2011, broadcasting in Marathi/Hindi languages 15 hours/day creating awareness about social issues through infotainment and demystifying the radio technology for the masses

• Krushimitra: This project aims at biodiver sity conservation through organic farming and providing suitable markets for organic produce