Sahara House (India)
Sahara currently run 36 projects in 5 cities across India and serve approximately 300,000 people a year. The scope of needs they address is huge, but it boils down to one common thread: treating people as human beings deserving of dignity & respect, no matter what they’ve done, where they’ve been or what label society puts upon them.
Their work started with people facing difficult situations due to substance use, and also with those with HIV & AIDS. Now, with an ethos and approach characterised by an ‘open door’ policy and a strong sense of belonging in community, their work extends to many different marginalised groups.
Cred specifically supports a Men’s Rehab Group, the 'Michael's Care' Hospice for those in the final stages of HIV/AIDS, and a home for Trafficked Women & Children. However, a cross section of their services reveals the breadth of their interventions:
- Drug Treatment : Residential, day care and crisis care, abscess management, medical care, detoxification, outreach.
- After Care : Midway homes, vocational training, income generation, job placements, business enterprise.
- Women & Children's Shelter: Rehabilitation, job training, creche, school, midway home, empowerment
- HIV/AIDS & Substance Use Project with the Transgender Community
- HIV/AIDS Care & Support: Care homes, training, counselling, medical care, outreach, awareness.
- Drop In Centre/Night Shelter for Street Children.
- D.O.T.S. Training & Education for Institutes, Schools, NGOs and organisations.
- Advocacy for clients
- Research including a 4 year, 4 country study on AIDS Orphans with Duke University, USA
In addition to this, Sahara has set up its own successful business enterprise, called 'Renewal', which enables service users to gain meaningful skills and employment.
'Renewal keeps traditional arts alive, and protects artisans' rights to a fair wage while maintaining competitive prices'.
Cred has partnered with Sahara for a number of years and has been privileged to support its development, not only through financial support, but also through business consultancy and friendship.
Find out more about Sahara House.
