SNEHALAYA
Bl.No. 239, Opp. Cummins Generator Technologies,
M.I.D.C., Nimbalak, Ahemdnagar - 414 111, Maharashtra. INDIA.
(0241) 2778353, 2327593 Fax: 2323772
Website:
Date: 1st, Jan. 2010
‘Every child & woman has the right to lead a life free from discrimination, inequality, exploitation and violence. We believe that, this is the basis of our nation building.
FORMATION OF SNEHALAY- YOUTH TO THE FORE
Snehalay is concrete constructive work of the youth who become restless over the social evils. Rather than engaging in futile discussions and debates, decided to do something to change these conditions. College students, who were inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s exhortation, established the organization in 1989 “They alone live who live for others, the rest are more dead than alive!”
Snehalay decided that their priority would be women and children as they are helpless, unable to protect themselves and solve their problems. Even among them, the most pathetic condition is that of the victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The society terms them as criminals and prostitutes. They are depressed, hated and detained in brothels, hotels & lodges for flesh trade. The criminals for pecuniary gains also torment them inhumanly.
Oneof the trafficked girls of 14 was bitterly tortured by her brothel-keeper by inserting chilly powder in her genitals. The scene was inhuman and horrifying.
Whenthe victims succumb to the deadly diseases like AIDS, they are thrown on roads and they die a dog’s death, unwept, unmourned & unsung.
And they decided to take some action to rescue such children and women from inhuman atrocities & abuse. That resulted in the formation of ‘Snehalay’. Snehalay is working for the victims of commercial sexual exploitation & trafficking. It is trying to organize and unite the women in prostitution to strengthen their power to fight. Also Snehalay understood the problems of the children of these women. Male children are mostly forced into criminality and female children in prostitution. Most of the women having daughters, wants to prevent their daughters from getting into prostitution. For these children, Snehalay has shelter home with the facilities of accommodation, food, clothing, education & medicine and rescue home for minor girls.
The causes of trafficking are complex. While there are numerous contributing factors, the root cause is poverty, mostly among women & children who may have little or no access to education, support services or resources. Poverty denies the fulfillment & enjoyment of children & robs them of the nurturing care that is crucial for their physical & psychological development. Snehalay recognizes that each child needs a good start in life, basic education of good quality & the opportunity for adolescents to develop their individual capacities to the fullest.
The Beginning:
Snehalaya is established by a zealous band of youth volunteers in 1989. The NGO was formally registered in 1992 at Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) and is currently working in all the 14 Tehsils of Ahmednagar District as well as the neighboring district like Solapur, Nashik etc.
Vision:
To develop awareness and capability in those members of the society who have been deprived of their rights because of the inequality in the society.
Mission:
Rehabilitation of
- The victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking
- Rescued victims (minors and major from the flesh trade)
- HIV positive women and children
- Deprived women and children from slums
- Rehab. Of unwed mothers, widow mothers, raped victims and their children through adoption
- Women and children in need of care and protection
Raison d’ etre of Snehalaya:
The category of children we work need a total care-taking to build their future, which includes all living costs like food, clothing, education, recreation, character building etc. The average cost per child for such an initiative is very high as compared to education and other day care initiatives. The category of children, we work with, need a loving and caring environment with a minimum commitment of 18 years for any child from kindergarten stage till he/ she comes up and makes good in life.
An NGO with a difference
Since the foundation, Snehalaya has involved the volunteers from various walks of life – caste- creed –sex and religion. It inspired by only humanitarian and spiritual work and has kept itself away from any politics, religious or ideological fundamentalism. Snehalaya believes that the real spirit of NGO lives in involving & sharing the work with volunteers rather than creating a funding & project based miniature of bureaucracy which has lost the will to change and only believes in paper work, with mercenary not the precept, but only the practice creates the new attitude & basic social change in the society. Even today, the committed team of volunteers is the backbone of the mission of Snehalaya.
With 280 children and 48 women in residential rehabilitation project, 900 children in slum based Balbhavans, about 2150 women in prostitution in Ahmednagar district, More than 3000 HIV positives, 30 full time workers, numerous volunteers and well wishers, Snehalaya is a place of vibrant activities.
Snehalaya's Major projects:
1.Balbhawans for children in slums (Ahmednagar)
Balbhawans are unique models of social change for children living in the slums. In the spate of unabated urbanization, Balbhawans are part of a significant movement in India. At present there are 31 slums in Ahmednagar out of which 17 are the declared (certified) ones. Out of the total population of about 4.20 lakhs of the city, nearly 72000 people are slum dwellers. Snehalaya runs Balbhawans in community halls of slums in Sanjay Nagar, Dashrathnagar, Mukund Nagar, Ramwadi, Bharaskar Nagar and Borkar Nagar. Activities such as playgroup education, tuitions for older children, health check-up camps, creating awareness about communal harmony, good health, cleanliness, consequences of bad habits and addictions and against child marriages are conducted at the Bal Bhawans by Snehalaya. Almost 900 children are receiving primary education in this way. Children at these centers are provided with adequate recreation with education that stimulates their minds and helps develop their personalities in a favourable manner. These centers are well equipped with televisions, invertors, audio-visual and other educational equipment. Snehalaya has also formed four Women's Self Help Groups (Mahila Bachat Gat) in these areas to help women become financially independent and rescue their poor families from the clutches of unauthorized moneylenders.
Volunteers from other social organizations are emulating Balbhawans by Snehalaya and it is Snehalaya’s endeavor to make the Balbhawans a mass movement.
Sr. no. / Name of the project / Project started on / Total no.s of employees working / Target community / Yearly budgetA / Balbhavan / Jun-05 / 28 / Slum children and women / 10,08,000
Services being provided in Five Balbhavans
Sr. No, / Name of activity / 2008-2009 / 2007-2008 / 2006-2007 / Remark
1 / Night study center / 120 / 110 / 80
2 / Day study center / 80 / 80 / 60
3 / Computer training
4 / Sewing machine class / 96 / 96 / 0
5 / Drop-outs re-joined school / 56 / 40 / 35
6 / Child labours joined school / 22 / 10 / 5
7 / Adult literacy class / 24 / 16 / 10
8 / SHGs formed / 8 / 6 / 2
9 / Other activities
10 / Health awareness and general medical camps held / 16 / 16 / 8
11 / OPD / 720 / 400 / 180
12 / Home visits / 2880 / 4320 / 3800
Other issues / 2 agitations against AMC for drinking water supply and building a bridge
32 new volunteers (women Peer Educators ) from the slums joined honorary
2. CHILDLINE
Snehalaya launched private helpline for women and children in distress in 1996. Later in the year 2003, Snehalaya accepted the responsibility of the collaborative organization of the national Child Line implemented by the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development. Child Line is a 24-hour toll free help line for the children in distress all over the country. A toll free number "1098" is used by the children for this purpose. Ahmednagar Child Line is being recognized as the most well run unit in the country. On an average 250 children in distress from Ahmednagar and surrounding areas seek help from this project daily. Snehalaya has also been successful in exposing sex scandals and other child exploitation scams with the help of Child Line. Snehalaya’s efforts and commitment to make Ahmednagar free from child exploitation of all kinds has given a new lease of life to numerous child laborers. Snehalaya has also been able to garner public support for over 40 children afflicted by cancer, thalassemia and heart diseases.
Sr. no. / Name of the project / Project started on / Total no.s of employees working / Target community / Yearly budgetC / CHILDLINE / April 15th, 2003 / 13 / Children (below 18yrs) in distress / 3,68,000
Cases Handled
Sr. No, / Type of Case / 2008-2009 / 2007-2008 / 2006-2007 / Remark
1 / Medical. / 43 / 35 / 52
2 / Repatriation. / 17 / 12 / 15
3 / Shelter. / 120 / 160 / 110
4 / Sponsorship. / 2 / 2 / 1
5 / Emotional supports & guidance. / 8 / 16 / 9
6 / Death related. / 0 / 0 / 3
7 / Child abuse. / 18 / 21 / 23
8 / Child marriage. / 2 / 0 / 2
9 / Rescue. / 6 / 4 / 3
10 / Child missing / 28 / 37 / 30
11 / Child lost. / 11 / 14 / 15
12 / Restoration / 6 / 4 / 5
15 / Child Beggar / 14 / 12 / 4
Total / 275 / 317 / 272
3. Rehabilitation Centre
Snehalaya’s Rehabilitation Centre for HIV infected women and children, children of prostitutes, rescued minors from the flesh trade and other neglected sections of our society occupies 7500sqft on a 7 acre plot of land in the MIDC area of Ahmednagar. Rehabilitation efforts are further supported by a vocational training center in the same premises. Currently 280 children (half of them are HIV positive), 45 women are sheltered.
The schedule of the children starts from 5.30 am early in the morning and concludes 9.30 p.m. in the evening. Snehalaya is trying to provide good quality education through the renowned school in Ahmednagar as well as coaching classes, nutritious and healthy food, proper shelter and clothing and personality development of the children. Three types of beneficiary category are there in our Rehab. Center 1. HIV positive children 2. Normal Children and 3.Rescued victims as well as the girls above 18 yrs and women in distress.
Snehalaya is taking care of them and trying to change their lives with proper education, love and affection.
Beneficiaries ReportYear / Name of Section / Total / New Admission / Left Snehalaya / Death / Grand Total
M / F / M / F / M / F / M / F / M / F / Total
2008-2009 / Snehaasha HIV+ / 82 / 53 / 8 / 14 / 2 / 2 / 7 / 6 / 81 / 59 / 140
Sneh Balsadan / 10 / 10 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 10 / 10 / 20
Snehasadan / 40 / 37 / 7 / 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 47 / 42 / 89
Snehadhar / 0 / 18 / 0 / 8 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 23 / 23
Total / 132 / 118 / 15 / 27 / 2 / 5 / 7 / 6 / 138 / 134 / 272
2007-2008 / Snehaasha HIV+ / 62 / 56 / 24 / 8 / 1 / 3 / 3 / 8 / 82 / 53 / 135
Sneh Balsadan / 10 / 10 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 / 0 / 0 / 10 / 10 / 20
Snehasadan / 38 / 38 / 6 / 2 / 4 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 40 / 37 / 77
Snehadhar / 0 / 16 / 0 / 5 / 0 / 3 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 18 / 18
Total / 110 / 120 / 31 / 16 / 6 / 10 / 3 / 8 / 132 / 118 / 250
2006-2007 / Snehaasha HIV+ / 57 / 54 / 11 / 7 / 2 / 2 / 4 / 3 / 62 / 56 / 118
Sneh Balsadan / 8 / 10 / 2 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 10 / 10 / 20
Snehasadan / 32 / 28 / 8 / 16 / 2 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 38 / 38 / 76
Snehadhar / 0 / 8 / 0 / 14 / 0 / 6 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 16 / 16
Total / 97 / 100 / 21 / 37 / 4 / 14 / 4 / 3 / 110 / 120 / 230
Report of Pass out Students in last three years
Sr. no / Details / Male / Female / Total
1 / Marriages / 1 / 8 / 10
2 / Send back to home / 2 / 3 / 5
3 / Reffered to other institutions / 5 / 5 / 10
4 / Joined vocational trades / 2 / 7 / 9
5 / Employeed / 2 / 6 / 8
6 / Taking Higher Education / 3 / 5 / 8
4.Snehjyot Mukta Project (Healthcare in Red Light Areas)
Snehalaya, through its Snehjyot project, runs dispensaries for sexually exploited women in the red light areas of Ahmednagar, Kopargaon, Shrirampur, Shevgaon and Jamkhed. Anti Retroviral Treatment (ART) has also been provided for 1500 HIV infected patients at half the cost of treatment. Patients are also provided free treatment for T.B.(Tuberculosis, DOT Treatment) and other minor illnesses by well-qualified doctors. Besides healthcare,
Snehalaya also runs day and night care centers for children in these areas, manages women's small saving groups, conducts regular counseling, propagation/training/availability of contraceptives, rescue operations of minors from red light areas etc.
Beneficiaries Report :
Year / Category / Estimation / Registration / Clinic Utilization(once in a quarter) / Counseling / SHG / Committees formed / Rate of STI / Condom distribution / Intervention in harassment cases2008-2009 / FSW / 2250 / 1600 / 1275 / 1275 / 8 / 12 / 28% / 28,00,000 / 22
MSM / 590 / 445 / 352 / 352 / 0 / 3 / 34% / 8,01,000 / 2
Tamasha girls / 650 / 320 / 150 / 150 / 4 / 4 / 46% / 2,30,400 / 0
R.P / 219 / 115 / 115 / 0 / 2 / 30% / 12,000 / 0
Clients / 50 / 50 / 0 / 0 / 40% / 6000 / 0
Other / 42 / 42 / 0 / 0 / 5% / 1300 / 0
Total / 3490 / 2584 / 1984 / 1984 / 12 / 21 / 38,50,700 / 24
2007-2008 / FSW / 2250 / 1200 / 1050 / 1050 / 8 / 8 / 40% / 43,20,000 / 36
MSM / 590 / 350 / 220 / 220 / 0 / 2 / 45% / 2,52,000 / 0
Tamasha girls / 650 / 190 / 120 / 120 / 2 / 2 / 56% / 22,000 / 0
R.P / 120 / 90 / 90 / 0 / 2 / 42% / 8000 / 0
Clients / 60 / 60 / 0 / 0 / 35% / 2000 / 0
Other / 30 / 30 / 0 / 0 / 4% / 500 / 0
Total / 3490 / 1860 / 1570 / 1570 / 10 / 14 / 4604500 / 36
2006-2007 / FSW / 2250 / 800 / 450 / 450 / 6 / 8 / 45% / 1800000 / 40
MSM / 590 / 145 / 70 / 70 / 0 / 2 / 48% / 14000 / 6
Tamasha girls / 650 / 120 / 80 / 80 / 0 / 2 / 56% / 5000 / 0
R.P / 55 / 20 / 20 / 0 / 2 / 42% / 4000 / 0
Clients / 35 / 35 / 0 / 0 / 35% / 500 / 0
Other / 50 / 50 / 0 / 0 / 5% / 200 / 0
Total / 3490 / 1120 / 705 / 705 / 6 / 14 / 1823700 / 46
5. Snehankur Adoption Centre
The Snehankur Adoption Centre, an initiative of Snehalaya, was launched in 2005. This centre provides care and protection to orphans and children of HIV affected mothers. Snehankur strives to find the right home for every orphan child. Another unique feature of Snehankur is the rehabilitation of unwed mothers. These mothers are cared for at Snehankur during their pregnancy and their children are placed in good respectable homes thereafter. In the event of the unwed mother being abandoned by her family, Snehankur undertakes to help in her rehabilitation.
Sr. no. / Name of the project / Project started on / Total no.s of employees working / Target community / Yearly budgetA / SnehankurAdoptionCenter / May-06 / 16 / Infants, unwed mothers, widow mothers, raped victims etc. / Rs. 7,50,000
Cases Handled
Sr. No, / Details / 2008-2009 / 2007-2008 / 2006-2007 / Remark
1 / Relinquished / 26 / 30 / 27
2 / Abandoned / 0 / 0 / 0
3 / Parents registered / 64 / 48 / 35
4 / Adoption process completed / 6 / 7 / 5
5 / Babies given to foster parents / 27 / 22 / 14
6 / Mothers repatriated / 12 / 16 / 17
7 / Mothers rehabilitated / 14 / 12 / 12
6. Snehalaya's Center of Hope (I.T.Center)
Snehalaya is successfully providing the quality computer education to the children from red light areas, slums, rural areas and the students living in various institutions, where these kinds of facility is not available.The center is started recently from 15th, August 2009. 96 students are enrolled. Snehalaya is also providing the education of personality development, spoken English etc. The project is getting overwhelming response. The course 1. Information Technology 2. M.S. Office, 3. Desk top publishing are being taught to the students currently. The center is looking for the employment for the pass out students.
Sr. no. / Name of the project / Project started on / Total no.s of employees working / Target community / Yearly budgetSnehalayaCenter of Hope (I.T.Center) / Aug-09 / 6 / Students from red light areas, slums, institutions / 2, 64,000
Sr. No, / Name of course / 2009-2010 / 2008-2009 / 2007-2008 / Remark
1 / Basic/gaming / 26 / NA / NA
2 / M.S. Office / 18
3 / Information Technology / 12
4 / DTP / 20
5 / Soft skills / 20
Total / 96
7.CommunityCareCenter:
Snehalaya has started the Community Care Center (CCC) from 1st April 2008. The Center is providing medical services with OPD and IPD facility to the HIV infected people in Ahmednagar District. Two Medical Officers with 18 fulltime workers are engaged in providing the training for home based care, drug adherence, family and individual counseling, nutrition support, opportunistic infections management etc. to the patients. The capacity of our center is 30 beds.
Sr. no. / Name of the project / Project started on / no.s of employees working / Target community / Yearly budgetB / CommunityCareCenter / Apr-08 / 18 / HIV positive patients / 2,500,000
Services provided
Sr. No, / Name of activity / 2008-2009 / 2007-2008 / 2006-2007 / Remark
1 / OPD / 5400 / NA / NA
2 / IPD / 1440
3 / Counseling / 5400
4 / Home visits / 720
5 / Deaths / 17
6 / Referred to the other hospitals / 135
7 / HIV awareness campaign/programmes / 12
8 / Linkages with other hospitals / 28
8. Youth Sensitization Camps
The youth is the strongest force to bring about a change in society. Youth sensitization camps are being conducted twice a year by Snehalaya to nurture a sense of social harmony, unity, dignity for labour, obligation towards society and the nation. Almost 500 young boys and girls work for six hours daily over 3 to 5 days at each of these camps. They are also introduced to the problems in slums, rural and red light areas. Discourses, lectures and dialogues by eminent personalities from all walks of life are also a part of these youth camps. Padma Bhushan Anna Hazare, Ramon Magasasay awardee Padma Bhushan Dr. Rajanikant Arole, Shri Ramesh Kacholia (Mumbai), Shri Mamun Akhtar, a well-known social activist from Kolkata, Dr. Vikas Amte and Dr. S. N. Subba Rao, an eminent Gandhian etc. have guided the youths at camps. A network of 1500 young dedicated boys and girls has been created through this activity.
The yearly budget of the project is Rs. 2,20,000/-
Sr. No. / Year / Total youth participated1. / 2008-2009 / 380
2. / 2007-2008 / 375
3. / 2006-2007 / 320
Total / 1075
9. Network of the N.G.Os (Maharashtra Social Forum)
Most Non-Governmental Organizations (N.G.O) face opposition from various anti-social forces, politicians, traffickers, organized criminal gangs etc. Snehalaya has taken the lead in bringing like-minded NGOs in the state together under a common umbrella by forming the Maharashtra Social Forum in 2004. Snehalaya is also one of the founder members of NACSET (Network against Commercial Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking).
Lighting a candle
Shelter homes should not create welfare addicts. Snehalaya has been educating its inmates on how to repay to the society what they receive from others. The sex workers under Snehalaya’s fold have donated their one day's earnings on various occasions such as Mumbai riots, Kargil war, the Tsunami, earth quake in Gujarat and Marathwada region of Maharashtra, cyclone in Orissa and on other similar occasions.
The past inmates of Snehalaya have formed an N.G.O. called 'Anam Prem'. ‘Anam Prem’ has decided to work in areas beyond the reach of Snehalaya or other NGOs in the Ahmednagar district. ‘Anam Prem’ has even started a vocational training center for blind students.
Achievements:
- Snehalaya was instrumental in putting an end to police bribing and other atrocities by police, the brothel keepers, the private money lenders, goons and customers in all the red light areas of Ahmednagar district.
- Snehalaya’s continuous awareness program and its long legal battle have helped bar the use of minors in the flesh trade.
- Snehalaya’s Shelter Home and Medical care and support facilities for HIV positive women and children have been the first of its kind in India.
- Snehalaya has inspired other civil society members and institutions in Solapur, Latur, Akola and Pune districts to start similar type of work in their region.
- Snehalaya has successfully rescued and rehabilitated more than 50 victims from the flesh trade providing them with vocational training of their choice and marriage.
- Snehalaya has created a ray of hope in major urban slums on issues like child labor, malnutrition, child marriages, addiction, HIV-AIDS, the immoral trafficking for the flesh trade.
- The active and direct involvement of the society in such issues is continuously increasing steadily due to Snehalaya’s efforts
- Details of Trustees
No. / Name and address / Designation / Qualification / Profession / Address
1. / Mr. Suwalal J. Shingavi (65 yrs) / President / SSC / Farmer / Madhuban, Stn. Rd. Ahmednagar
2. / Dr. Sindha Kashinath Halabe (76 yrs.) / Vice-President / M.Sc. / Rtd. Professor / Kombadiwala Mala, Solapur Rd. Ahmednagar
3. / Smt. Meena Shatrughn Shinde (45 yrs.) / Vice-President / SSC / House wife / Snehalaya, Opp. Chitra talkies, A.nagar
4. / Mr. Satish Gopal Kane (47 yrs.) / Vice-President / BE (Textile Eng.), MMR / Editor, Daily Samachar / C/o, Daily Samachar, Anandi Bazaar, A.nagar
5. / Mr. Milind Eknath Kulkarni (44 yrs) / Secretary / B.E. / Industrialist / Aashraya, Bagade Mala, Balikashram Rs. A.nagar
6. / Mr. Ramakant Murlidhar Tamboli (68 yrs) / Asst. Secretary / MSW / Social worker / Tamboli Apt. Barde Galli, Navi Peth, A.nagar
7. / Dr. Rasiklal Muttha (63 yrs.) / Trustee / MBBS / Medical professional / Paras, nr. Sakkar Biscuit colony, A.nagar
8. / Prof. Prakash Savedkar (67 yrs.) / Trustee / MA. English / Rt. Professor / Savedjkar Wada, Panchpir Chawadi, Shani Chok, A.nagar
9. / Mr. Bhushan Gopal Deshmukh (48 yrs.) / Asst. Secretary / M.A. Journalism / Asst. Editor / Rutu Bunglow, Eknathnagar, Kedgaon, A.nagar
10. / Mr. Ashok Linganna Kurapatti (40 yrs.) / Treasurer / B.com / Business / 4B, Pitru Chaitanya, Shivneri Marg, Stn. Rd. A.nagar
11. / Dr. Suhas Shankarrao Ghule (38 yrs.) / Trustee / M.D. / Medical Proffessional / C/o, Chikista Diagnostics, Nr. Pathak
Hospital, A.nagar
12. / Mr. Jayprakash B. Sancheti (47 yrs.) / Trustee / BE Civil / Engineer / Nirmal Appt., 2nd, floor, Mahavirnagar, Savedi, A.nagar
13. / Mr. Shrenik Suwalal Shingavi (35 yrs. / Trustee / M.Com / Business / Madhuban, Stn. Rd. Ahmednagar
Registrations of Snehalaya: