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Projects
The
following is a list of projects that Maharashtra Foundation has
initiated/supported.
Anti
Human Trafficking:
The Foundation launched, at the hands of
well-known Marathi and Hindi Film and Stage actor, Mr. Nana Patekar,
Anti-Human Trafficking initiative. Approximately $ 50,000 were
raised for this cause through generous support of MF members. MF
plans to focus on this challenging and growing issue, further
complicated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, for the next five
years.
Learning from the experience of several
organizations, prevention and rehabilitation was considered to be
the way to go. After careful review of the project proposals
received and the due diligence of the NGOS, projects of three
organizations were selected for support.
Save the children,
India:
Save the Children India
(STCI), Mumbai has been working in the area of empowerment
of
disadvantaged women and
children for the past 19 years in Maharashtra. In the year 2000 STCI stated
working on the issue of anti-trafficking under Save our Sisters
initiative. The SOS project, launched in 2002, was implemented in
five vulnerable districts in Maharashtra namely Latur, Osmanabad, Sangali,
Beed and Nanded in collaboration with over 100 NGO
partners.
The goal of the SOS
project is to develop a strong network of key stakeholders at
village, block and district level, build their capacities and
facilitate their empowerment in order to prevent and combat
trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual
exploitation. The project activities include strengthening
partnerships and linkages between NGOs, government, and community
organizations, form self-help groups, provide livelihood options,
mobilize government programs, provide vocational training, address
crimes related to abuse of women, and increase awareness about
trafficking.
After successful outcome of the SOS
project in the five districts, Save the Children India approached
Maharashtra Foundation for assistance to replicate the SOS project
in Amravati district, another
vulnerable region for human trafficking. This one year project will
be implemented in selected 10 villages from 5 blocks with the help
of 10 NGO partners working at grass roots level. A total support of
$ 31,537 for one year has been approved and the project was launched
in September 2006. The achievements in the first six months are: A
network of 10 NGOs has been formed, 5 shelf-help groups for women,
adolescent girls, adolescent boys and youth have been formed, and
one village vigilance committee has been formed. Pictures from the
activities conducted.
Health Care and Living
Assistance for Senior
Citizens
Another equally
important initiative, which touches lives and hearts of all those
who have old age
parents or relatives
back home in India, was launched with
the help of Nari Samata Manch. Lonely senior citizens feel he need
for companions and help rather keenly. The most intense case being
that of the parents of NRIs. Most of the times they do not need to
be ‘provided for’ but need human contact that would care and look
after their ordinary daily needs.
Nari Samata Manch,
Pune
Nari Samata Manch is a
Pune and Mumbai based well known organization which works for the
cause of women empowerment. The organization works on several issues
affecting the lives of poor and needy women. The organization also
works for rehabilitation of the women. The most important challenge
they face in this endeavor is identifying safe environment to work
and training them with suitable job and life skills. The Manch has
observed that there is an ever increasing demand for women with such
skills from the growing number of senior citizens living on their
own particularly in
cities.
The Manch had submitted
a three year proposal to meet the need of rehabilitation of needy
women by offering them a training as “House Companions and
Para-Nursing Assistants”, thereby providing the women an opportunity
to stand on their feet and a safe and secure job environment. A
special training curriculum covering human, house-hold, and primary
health care skills.
The
Foundation has agreed to extend support for one year period and a
contribution of $ 6,000 has been approved. The first batch of the
trainees was started recently. The following report is self
explanatory:
Apne Aap:
Apne Aap Womens
Collective works in Khetwadi, red light area of Mumbai since last
eight years with commitment to make a difference through
unconditional support and care to the lives of marginalized
destitute women in brothel based prostitution, which have been
coerced into the sex industry and face abuse, violence,
discrimination and exploitation for commercial
sex.
The Foundation is supporting Apne
Aap to continue its rehabilitation activities, vocational training
and referral service. A total commitment of $10,300 has been made
for one year project. These funds will enable Apne Aap to provide
services to 48 girls in the age group 3 to 15 for: nutrition
supplements, regular medical check ups and vaccinations, individual
and group counseling, sex education, tuition and extra coaching
classes, vocational training, and training for staff members. The
Foundation plans to continue its support to Apne ASAP for the next
few years.
Swayamsidha:
As the name indicates,
Swayamsiddha mentors women and youth to make the right choices about
their future lives and careers by providing access to education,
information, networking opportunities, and microfinance through
self-help groups. This project started in 10 villages in the first
phase and is now in its second year.
Pure and Safe
Drinking Water:
Grant A Smile Foundation was
able to quadruple MF’s contribution of $8,000 through local Rotary
clubs and Rotary International. The extended grant enabled
installation of appropriate equipment and peripherals to provide
pure and safe drinking water in 50 schools, reaching approximately
10,000 students.
Rural
Aging:
Most
of the efforts to address the challenges faced by the aging
population have an urban focus. MF took the initiative in supporting
a project aimed at rural aging. MF and Share & Care jointly
support the Rural Aging project carried out by Janseva Foundation
near Pune. During the year a baseline survey of senior citizens in 9
villages was completed and activities such as health checkups, eye
camps, and minor surgeries were organized. From the analysis of the
baseline data and health and recreational needs of the senior
citizens, support group networks have been formed.
Khedkar
Hospital project:
This is MF special status project initiated through
the earmarked contribution made by the late Prince and Nenescha
Khedker through their will. This cottage hospital project is taking
shape at Anjanvel, in Ratnagiri district, the native place of Prince
Khedker. The first phase of the project, consisting of a nursing
home and outpatient department was inaugurated in January 2009. The
second phase, the construction of a 20 bed hospital, will begin
soon. Mumbai based Yusuf
Meherally Center; a well-known NGO working near
Tara (Raigad District) is MF
partner in implementing the project. The Attorney General of New
York monitors the progress of the project and receives quarterly
reports from MF. Representatives of Maharashtra Foundation have
visited the project site twice and maintain ongoing contact with
Yusuf
Meherally Center.
Maytrin
An Empathetic Listener) MF US-based project,
celebrates its 10th anniversary of service to the
community this year. The number of calls received and appreciation
from the beneficiaries, their parents, and social support
organizations here in the US and India are the indicators
of its success and continued need. With a small annual budget of $
4,000 for conducting this support line, MF is impacting several
lives.
2008
Highlights of the
Projects:
2007
Anti Human Trafficking
Pure and Safe Drinking water for School
Children
Swayamsiddha
2006
Anti Human Trafficking
Prevention of Girl Child Marriages in
Marathwada
Health Care and
Living Assistance for Senior Citizens and Rehabilitation of
Destitute Women
Information
Technology for Social Change
Emergency Relief
2005
Bare Foot Doctors - Bharat Vaidya
2004
Project- Highlights
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