Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Sanstha Nandurbar is more than just a non-governmental organization—it is a resilient and compassionate community that has been working tirelessly since December 2006 to uplift the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). We are a grassroots initiative born from the very community we serve, aiming to bring hope, health, and dignity to individuals whose voices often go unheard.

Registered under the Society Registration Act (Reg. No. MAH/7991/F, Dhule, dated 05-08-2006), our organization is governed by a dedicated council of seven members, two of whom have been integral to our journey for over 18 years. Our strength lies in lived experience, empathy, and a relentless commitment to public service.

At Sanstha Nandurbar, our work is guided by clear, purposeful objectives:

• Foster a mutual exchange of ideas among PLHIV to uplift morale and promote happiness and longevity.

• Deliver integrated support addressing mental, physical, social, and medical needs.

• Establish care facilities like Visava Kendras for rest and recovery.

• Protect the full spectrum of human rights—social, legal, economic, and political.

• Empower individuals through skill-building, financial independence, and self-reliance.

• Drive public education campaigns for HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

• Ensure accessibility to medications, price transparency, and treatment options.

• Offer confidential legal assistance on rights and entitlements.

• Build local health centers to bring medical services closer to vulnerable communities.

• Actively participate in HIV/AIDS-related planning at local, national, and international levels.

• Spread awareness about de-addiction through educational institutions and public campaigns.

From our humble beginnings in 2006, Sanstha Nandurbar has become a beacon of hope for PLHIV in the Nandurbar district and beyond. Our milestones include the successful implementation of landmark programs such as ACT, PACT, DIC, and the Vihaan project (Care & Support Center) since June 2013. Through these projects, we’ve ensured that individuals affected by HIV receive the support, care, and dignity they deserve.

1. Advocacy

We advocate for the rights of PLHIV at all levels—community, institutional, and governmental. Our efforts have led to policy changes, improved healthcare access, and greater public sensitivity toward HIV-related issues.

2. Balanced Nutrition

Recognizing the crucial role of nutrition in managing HIV, we educate individuals about balanced diets and distribute food supplies where needed, especially to orphaned children and widowed women.

3. Community Mobilization

We bring together individuals and groups to create collective strength. Mobilization leads to empowerment, better outreach, and stronger support networks within marginalized communities.

4. Enabling Environments

We work closely with local institutions and systems to create environments where PLHIV feel safe, supported, and respected.

5. Home Visits

With compassion at the core, our outreach workers conduct home visits to deliver ART medicines, provide emotional support, and follow up with missed or lost-to-follow-up (LFU) clients.

6. Linkages to Services

We establish functional partnerships with various service providers to ensure seamless access to treatment, counseling, employment assistance, and legal support.

7. Social Welfare & Protection Schemes

Through continuous coordination with the government, we facilitate access to vital schemes like:

• Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana

• Widow Pension Scheme

• BPL Ration Cards

• Gharkul Scheme

• Shravan Bal Yojana

Targeted Interventions (TI) for Migrant Workers and High-Risk Groups

Since 2022, we’ve been running a Targeted Intervention Program in Dhule district, funded by MSACS Mumbai under the National AIDS Control Program (NACP). The project targets high-risk populations, including:

• Migrants

• Injecting Drug Users (IDU)

• Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

• Female Sex Workers (FSW)

• Truckers and Transgender individuals

Key services offered include:

• Behavioral Change Communication (BCC)

• STI screenings and treatment

• HIV and Syphilis testing

• Linkage to ART, TB care, and STI prevention services

• Condom distribution and social marketing

• Referrals for government and welfare schemes

The goal of this program is not only prevention but also improving the overall quality of life and healthcare access for these groups. The aim is also to reduce stigma, increase health literacy, and provide holistic support.

De-addiction is an often-overlooked but vital part of our outreach. We conduct extensive awareness drives in schools, colleges, and public places using:

• Pamphlets and posters in local languages

• Street plays

• Rallies

• Public exhibitions

These efforts are designed to help youth and at-risk populations overcome substance abuse and seek rehabilitation, thereby preventing the additional health complications that come with drug dependency and HIV.

We believe in a comprehensive approach. That’s why we don’t stop at medical support. Our organization has distributed:

• Sarees and daily essentials to widows

• Nutrition kits to orphaned children, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns

• Books, notebooks, and school bags to children affected by HIV

• Sewing machines for skill-building among women

All this has been made possible through partnerships with donors and the heartfelt contributions from the community. These initiatives support self-reliance and dignity.

We are proud to operate with full legal compliance and transparency. Sanstha Nandurbar holds:

• Registration Certificate

• PAN Card

• 12A and 80G Certifications

• TAN

• FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) approval

• Annual audit reports and income tax returns

We are accountable to the people we serve, our donors, and the government, maintaining clear records and ethical standards in all operations.

• Pap Smear Testing Camps at Civil Hospitals for early detection of cervical cancer.

• Health camps for industrial workers at MIDC.

• Support group meetings that offer counseling, sharing, and community building.

• Regular ART medication delivery to homes of immobile or rural clients.

• Education and skill-building for HIV-affected children and widows.

Our journey is far from over. Every day, we reach deeper into communities, uncover hidden suffering, and work to replace it with hope and care. If you share our vision, we invite you to collaborate with us—whether through volunteering, donations, or partnerships.

Together, we can create a world where HIV does not mean the end of life, but the beginning of a new, dignified chapter.

Sanstha Nandurbar—With the people, for the people, by the people living with HIV/AIDS.