Peoples Health Organisation - Saheli Creche

Project Brief: Creche for providing support and education to children of sex workers in red light district of Pune city.
Project Type: Non-Formal Educational Centers (description)
Primary Focus: children of sex workers (description)

Secondary Focus: other

Area: Urban
Supporting Chapter Contact: Purdue
Status: completed - requirements ended
Project Steward: Chandrasekar Varanasi
Project Partner(s): Tejaswi Sevekari
Other Contacts:
Project Address: , 1089, Shivaji Road Opp. Shrinath Talkies Budhwar Peth,,Pune,
MAHARASHTRA  411016
Tel: +91 (020) 65287297
Stewarding Chapter: Purdue
Dec 2010PurdueUSD 6000

Total = $6000

Saheli began by providing care and support to women in sex work through referral services at various government hospitals and clinics. A reoccurring concern from the women was difficulty in performing sex work in the presence of their child at the brothel. The women also worried over the vulnerability of their children living in the brothels to physical or sexual abuse by clients/customers. This situation encouraged the women to approach Saheli as the last resort of keeping their child at the drop-in-centre. Saheli Sangh being the only organisation of the women, by the women and for the women in sex work, they could not deny this service to the friends living in the same neighbourhood who suffered from similar emotional and physical abuse. This is what led to the creation of the day and night Creche.
They aim to (1) provide nutrition support to children living and infected with HIV through the community kitchen; (2) provide vocational training to children between the ages of 16-21; (3) to organise pediatric health camps; and (4) to liaise and network with various organisations working with children and HIV/AIDS.
Project contact is Ms Tejaswi Sevekari (tejaswisevekari@gmail.com)