Bullet got his name because of the way he came into the world. His mother was working as a prostitute and got shot in the stomach while pregnant. She died, but Bullet survived. Staying with his foster family became unsafe because his father had influence in the area, so he was moved to Purnata Bhavan, our home outside Mumbai for women and children affected by HIV.
He has HIV but is full of energy. ‘He has big eyes that just sparkle,’ says Bethany Wolf, one of the house parents at Purnata ‘He gets on his green school uniform every day and his bag. He is so proud of himself, because for a year he didn’t get to go on the school bus. He is like sunshine in Purnata Bhavan.’
Priceless
The majority of women trapped in prostitution are living with HIV, but often have no access to any health care or medicine. And once they manage to leave the brothels, they rarely receive sufficient health care, counseling or support.
In 2005 we started Project Priceless. A team of doctors, nurses and social workers visit government and non government homes for women who have left prostitution. Priceless provides health care and counseling to the women and trains the staff to deliver quality health care.
We also have a medical centre where women can receive health care and counseling. Those in the surrounding community who have been affected by HIV can also be able to use the facility.
>>Good counsel
Purnata Bhavan
Purnata Bhavan is a home outside of Mumbai for women and children affected by HIV. They receive healthcare and counseling, the children get an education and the women can learn tailoring, bead work and candle making. >>Living positively
Potters Wheel
Potter’s Wheel was opened years ago by Charles Taylor Hartzel and his wife Joan with the purpose of being a place where the broken lives would be made whole through skills training. On being given the place is 2007, Oasis India seeks to carry on the same vision by refurbishing Potter’s Wheel to be a place where women and children broken through circumstance and other abusive situations can find respite and care towards effective rehabilitation into society. It would be a place where women and children are afforded the time to come to terms with their past circumstances, present weaknesses and effectively plan their futures. As a residential set up away from busy city life, the place would be a temporary shelter where the residents would be empowered to take stock of their lives and be assisted in mapping their future prospects.
HIV -Bangalore
In Bangalore we are working with individuals and in communities spreading awareness, helping people access testing, treatment and hospice care. Starting this year, a foster care home (Haven of Love) in partnership with the local church is being opened for HIV orphans and infected single parents.
>>Positive change
Beersheba
The Beersheba team works alongside Oasis India projects and takes care of referrals (from other NGOs, churches and individuals), reintegration and home based care. Through networking, cases are referred on to the team for assistance. After visiting and understanding the need, the team ascertains whether they can be helped by any Oasis project, and if not, they are referred on to other NGOs who would be able to help them.
Reintegration and home based care involves assisting beneficiaries to settle into mainstream society and become a part of the community where they live. They are helped to find jobs, training opportunities, medical assistance and housing. Along with helping with children’s education for those affected by HIV, the families are provided with groceries.
Raising awareness
In the slum communities where we work we do health visits, make sure people are able to get the medicines they need and encourage them to visit the doctor. Educating people about HIV and reducing the stigma of having HIV forms a large part of our health work in slum communities.
>>World AIDS Day, Chennai
>>How you can help |
