Feeding Children, Changing Families
Dhruvi belongs to a very poor family in Dharavi. Her mother, Kanchan works at a neighbourhood kiln and earns a meagre INR 50 a day to feed a family of five members. Dhruvi started attending the SNEHA Day Care Centre in February 2009. Initially Dhruvi was reluctant to interact with any one at the centre. However, in the past few months, our day care centre staff has been able to establish a wonderful relationship with Dhruvi and her mother. The child finds great comfort in the centre and also participates actively in the centre activities.
Dhruvi’s mother is relieved that that there is someone to take care of the child while she is away at work. She attends the parents meetings regularly, and is also a member of the Nutrition Committee formed in the community. The child has been showing significant weight gain each month. Her progress has been noticeable, both in her physical status and mental well-being.
For the first three years of Raja's life, each day was a challenge. He was born with pulmonary valve stenosis, a congenital heart defect causing low blood flow to the lungs. This led to - stunted growth, breathing problems, little energy, and constant malaise. Raja's parents, Laxmi and Varun, would have gone to any lengths to save Raja, but, in their case, even ‘any lengths’ would not have been enough. It broke their hearts to know that though treatment was available for Raja, the family just could not afford it.
When SNEHA Heart To Heart (H2H) community organizers came upon Laxmi and Varun, they were assured that something could be done for their child. SNEHA contacted doctors and surgeons, gathered funding, and facilitated the operation which would allow Raja and his family to lead a normal life. A few months later, H2H representatives came to check on Raja and were greeted by a joyous sight- Raja was playing with other neighborhood children. Raja’s condition had improved tremendously.
When Melony was referred to SNEHA’s Center for Vulnerable Women and Children from the psychiatric department of LTMG hospital, she had already gone through a lot. Disturbing though it might be, for some people, the mere sight of a transsexual person can arouse enough anger and hatred that they commit inhuman acts of violence. For Melony, this was an all-too tangible reality.
But Melony was strong. She ignored the threats. She challenged the discrimination. She pushed herself to pursue justice. She underwent surgery to become a woman, and began living with her partner Latif in a healthy and reciprocal relationship. Wanting to re-enter society as the person she was meant to be, rather than the body she was born into, she hoped that SNEHA could help her acquire the legal status of a woman.
SNEHA accompanied the couple to the India Centre for Human Rights and Law for advice on how to accomplish this goal. SNEHA also provided the couple with counseling sessions to help them confront the difficulties and challenges
posed by sexual intolerance. Melony and Latif are now married, and Melony is legally declared a woman. “With Latif beside me and SNEHA supporting me, I do not have to fear about my new womanhood,” Melony stated with a radiant smile. “I can feel complete as a woman”.
