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AASTHA (AFFECTION) PROJECT
HIV/AIDS & STI PREVENTION & TREATMENT FOR FLOATING SEX WORKERS.

SAI’s hard work and dedication was observed by FHI and FPAI and in SEP 2004. One more feather was added to the cap of SAI, i.e. “AASTHA” Project joined the Family of SAI. The main objective of the SAI- AASTHA Project is prevention and treatment of SEXUALY TRANSMITED INFECTIONS (S.T.I.) AND TO CREAT AWARENESS ABOUT STI. Today SAI –AASTHA Project working totally 11 areas out of which 10 are floating and 1 is brothel area .Our target group are floating sex workers (SW) and Brothel Based sex workers. Floating sex workers, an other word for it is street based sex workers these are the sex workers whose cruising sites are near railway station, on street, etc so that they can get the customers. SAI is proud to express that it is the one of the NGO to be successfully work in floating area as in this area the SW keep moving from one area to another and one street to another but we have due to effective Behavior Change Communication (BCC) sessions able to reach them with PROVIDING MENTAL, SOCIAL AND MEDICAL CARE AND SUPPORT. “DIDI-VCT Care & Support ” Project is of great help to AASTHA Project as we get Patients with symptoms of HIV were AASTHA doctors refer these patients to DIDI project and the treatment is given to them .It is not only treatment but good mental support is provided to the patients and these patients due to good atmosphere in SAI the are come for regular follow up treatment.

ACTIVITIES conducted by SAI under AASTHA PROJECT

OUTREACH WORK: The outreach activity of the team is the back bone of our organization .The outreach consist Outreach workers and Peer educator(DIDIS) they go to the field and conduct BCC sessions which includes information of condom , condom demonstration with also other methods i.e. oral and blind fold as in case if the customer denies to use a condom how a SW can apply the condom in the dark and also orally so there is safe sex and can prevent from STI and HIV/AIDS. A SW is also informed about the signs and symptoms of STI during the BCC sessions. It is due to effective BCC sessions the SW avail the health services. Peer educators who conduct BCC are from the target community it self , they are been selected and they are also given the remuneration.

CLINICAL SERVICES: SAI “ASTHA” project has two clinics one at Byculla and other at Worli and a lab, with four doctors, two nurses, a lab technician and a counselor. At clinic the services are provided for prevention and treatment of STI and for general ailments of the Sex worker and her regular partners.

STAKE HOLDERS MEETING AND FALISITATION BY SAI: Stakeholders are the ones who help us in the field by helping us by providing the place to keep condoms, to identifying the places were the SWs are been shifted due to the police raids. And in the areas when there is problem by local Gundas, they help the outreach team. Due to all the above-mentioned help free of cost it was felt by SAI to felicitate them.

MEETINGS WITH SWS: Meeting with SW are conducted in the DIC in order to plan for the events or programs .In this meetings the date of event, what type of program they want, what will be the menu if the LUNCH is provided. And the responsibility to make the program successful is been distributed among the members.

CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE STAFF: The required training for the team of SAI is conducted in the DIC Quarterly so that they can work more effectively and efficiently.

HEALTH CAMPS: Health camps are conducted in SAI “AASTHA” project operational areas as it is the floating areas we go to their door step to provide the health services were we make use of Mobile Van of SAI “DIDI” project for providing the medicines and a big ambulance is hired for the internal checkup and also every day in each the SAI”s mobile van goes to all the operational areas with medical team.

REFERAL SERVICES: SAI “DIDI” Project is of great help to AASTHA Project as we get Patients with symptoms of HIV were AASTHA doctors refer these patients to DIDI project and the treatment is given to them .It is not only treatment but good mental support is provided to the patients and these patients due to good atmosphere in SAI the come for regular follow up treatment. The patients when required treatment for other ailments they are referred to other near by Government hospitals.

HEALTH CAMP – POLICE: The health camps are being conducted for the police as a part of advocacy as most of the SW and our Peer educators were been facing the problem of police harassment in different areas .It was felt the need of building the good rapport with them as the result we had provided free heath checkup to the police and to their family along with awareness of SAIs work in the field.

SPORTS FOR THE SWS AND THEIR CHILDREN: The sports event was conducted for the SWs and their Children. About 125 children participated in this event .It was in the history of Mumbai for the first time a sports event for the sex workers children was conducted. And SAI is happy to organize this event and will conduct more such events for sex workers children in future. Good sport spirit was found among the team members.

TAILORING CLASSES: SAI AASTHA project is conducting tailoring classes for the target groups. MEHANDI CLASSES: Mehandi drawing classes are being conducted in DIC. This was the raised by target community itself.

LITRACY CLASSES: Literacy classes are conducted in DIC for the SWs so that they can sign, read were the bus goes and also know to read the number

SUMMER CAMP: As the children were at home during the holidays it was felt need by the community to conduct some program so that the children can learn something’s. So the summer camp was conducted were children were thought drawing, dancing singing, it was like to bring out the hidden talent from them and to encourage them. These children will be taken for an outing also at end of the camp.

SAVINGS BY SWs: It was usually found that the daily earning of the SW was spending on food and other enjoyment. But when she required the money there was no money with her. So SAI –AASTHA as helped in getting their accounts opened in the banks and now every week they save their earnings.

SELF HELP GROUP: Self-help group meeting is being conducted every month during this month Rs.100 is been collected every month. Total members enrolled in this group are 32.The amount collected is deposited in the bank and if any member is in need of financial assistance it would be discussed in the meeting and the money will be provided but she as to repay back .The purpose of this is that most of them take money from money lenders and have to pay back with higher interest to protect them from this debt SAI as started SHG.