Advocacy program with general public in Ahmedabad

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Greetings from Aadhar

As you all know that Aadhar is a Support and Self Help Group of PLHA in

Ahmedabad, started its journey in April 2004 and got registered in August 2005,

under the Bombay Public Trust Act. Since inception Aadhar has been actively

working to cater the needs of PLHAs of Ahmedabad. Today there are around 800

members registered in Aadhar.

Three years Journey of Aadhar has seen good and substantial progress with the

support and timely help of our all well wisher like Ahmedabad Municipal

Corporation AIDS Control Society, Project Support Unit of AMC ACS, Saral – an

NGO promoted by Ramana Group, Dardi Sahayak Trust, Kaira Social Service Society,

State Bank India, Manav Seva, Adani Group, Action aid and so many individuals

and all NGOs implementing Targeted Intervention Programme under AMC ACS.

With all the efforts being put in by so many players, today Aadhar has been

progressing ahead in its endeavour to create a society, free of stigma and

discrimination for PLHAs and many people who hitherto were afraid of disclosing

their status have started coming forefront without any fear or guilt.

Still we know that we have many miles to go. The task to completely eradicate

stigma and discrimination for PLHAs asks for arduous and grueling efforts on our

parts. Aadhar has been trying to get the support of as many players as they can

through its Advocacy drive with political and influential leaders and taking

their support.

One such political advocacy workshop was arranged on 22nd August 2007at Daddu

Party plot Amraiwadi- Ahmedabad-Gujarat by Daddu Seva Trust in association with

Aadhar. More then 1200 people from Aadhar and Doctors, Advocate, Municipal

corporaters, Counselors, Religious Leaders and all TI NGO partners of Ahmedabad

AIDS Control Society have participated in this program.

The main objective of this programme was mainstreaming of PLHA. Daddu Seva Trust

has set example for society that if we want to remove stigma and discrimination

there is no need for separate program for HIV Positive People but we should

organize joint program. On occasion of Vishwnathshih Chauhan’s memory they have

arranged orientation and sensitization session and entertainment programme for

participants with Aadhar and general people from society which was followed by a

dinner.

A Kit comprising grain & cloths was distributed each Families of Aadhar by

Daddu Seva Trust on the occasion. Mr. Jagdishbhai, a businessman has donated a

set of TV-VCD to Aadhar for educational purpose.

Varsha Vala

President

Aadhar Charitable trust

e-mail: <adhaar@...>