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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.
1-800-MAYTRIN card will be distributed to all passengers traveling on Air India
Past Projects:
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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