Apnalaya

Apnalaya began work in 1973 and currently works with slum communities in Mumbai’s M East Ward, India. Apnalaya’s prime focus is to engage with the community at large on issues of health, nutrition, poverty and housing.

Their main programs:

• Education & Citizenship Program: Apnalaya built a Community Based Management (CBM) system CBM enables volunteers from the community who are working closely with government bodies. The volunteers are currently working with- Youth Initiating Civic Engagement where they took action on various issues like sanitation, water, solid waste management, electricity etc. and Community Resource and Advisory Centre (CRAC) which acts as a primary resource desk for reporting and resolving various issues experienced by community members. They also have several fellowship programs which helps provide financial aid and education encouragement.
• Livelihood Program: After an extensive research Apnalaya realized to break away from poverty at the M East Ward it is necessary to generate employability after proper skill-training of men and especially women. On that note Apnalaya has started programs like- Swawlamban, a sewing class enrolling and training women to earn an income, financial literacy training helping inculcate among participants, a habit of budgeting expense and saving for a future goal, Self Help Groups (SHGs) have seen women in the area come together in small groups of 10 to 12 and pool their meagre resources and Employability training with Youth to equip young people to develop life skills essential for interacting effectively in a professional setting and retaining professions.
• Health & Disability Program: Apnalaya has facilitated resilient volunteers of the community to address health issues in the M East Ward of Mumbai. The volunteers arrange medical check-ups for pregnant women and lactating mothers and conduct session on healthy eating and nutrition as a vital part of ante-natal and post-natal care. The Anaemia program conducts regular check-up and screening for adolescents and children. They also look after people born with a disability through constant medical and mental support.