In 1994, Sahaara Charitable Society was registered with the Charity Commissioner. The project started with work among the street kids at Churchgate station in Mumbai. Today it has 80 full time staff under the leadership of Arthur Thangiah, besides several other scores of volunteers.
Gifting Dreams
“We at Sahaara are in the business of gifting dreams to the underprivileged of society. We seek and search out the underprivileged, explore the unfulfilled dreams buried within them and create avenues to see the fulfillment of these dreams.
Today it has the following projects to serve the needy
Mission Statement
“A vision of translating the agape love of Christ into action among the poor and the socially marginalized sections of the society and by this to see the people transformed and integrated into society”
For more details visit Sahaara’s website.
Project Parivartan (Positive change)
Sahaara’s response to the silent cry of women inprostitution and their children.
In a suburb of Mumbai, we have begun the process of befriending those who are on the fringes of society. Through health care, we have made contact with a few CSWs and also have a drop in centre for prayer and counselling. By providing assistance to around 30 CSWs, we have helped these people to leave the wretchedness of the flesh trade and be mainstreamed into society.
Project Azaad (Freedom)
Reaching out to prisoners and ex-prisoners
Sahaara’s ray of hope extends to those locked up in the four prisons located in and around Mumbai. Touching the lives of the inmates, we share with them moral values and prayers. We c
onduct adult literacy classes that equip the prisoners with a future hope. At present, we impart computer training in one prison and are in the process of opening up computer centres in other prisons. Prisoners who are released are also tracked and assisted to obtain jobs and become positive contributors to society.
Project Pragati (Progress)
Sahaara’s educational assistance to children institutionalised in the Mumbai Observation Homes
Sahaara opens the world beyond the walls for the children in the remand homes. To tap the best out of these children, we operate value education, computer training and coaching in studies in the 7 remand homes of Mumbai. Health check-ups and subsequent treatment along with counselling sessions are also conducted periodically. Children who leave the remand home are also tracked and followed up to ensure that they continue their education.
Persons affected by Hanson’s disease
Though society often labels them as outcasts, persons affected by Hanson’s disease suffer physically, mentally and emotionally. Sahaara touches their lives by aiding them with shelter material, basic medication, bandaging of wounds and inputs on cleanliness.
Project Prakash (Light)
Helping the unseen, visually challenged persons
We have a separate ministry for the visually challenged. We have initiated volunteers
to work with the Visually Handicapped Women’s hostel. They share their thoughts & feelings and are made to see the world with confidence through the volunteers’ vision. Visually handicapped is a misnomer, it is alternatively talented
Project Mahima (Glory)
Sahaara’s rehabilitation center for underprivileged boys
As an act of delivering hope to the destitute, we have adopted and committed to the entirety of twelve children. Orphaned, abandoned children and children whose parents are terminally ill find a place at Mahima. Children at Mahima are cared for, not just with food and education, but with love and affection. Dedicated resident volunteers take care of the children like surrogate parents. They form a typical family constitution and share the same values and feelings. They are encouraged to pursue fields of their own interest.
Project Pratham (First Steps)
Sahaara’s educational intervention through balwadis (Pre-Primary Schools) for the underprivileged
Reaching the destitute is what real service is. In an effort to take the schools to the deprived, we have initiated the Balwadis – non formal pre – primary schools. Children who are deprived of the opportunity to pursue formal education find place in Balwadis. They are taught basic education, good conduct and moral values. Children are provided with food and medical help is also given to the needy.
In Mumbai, we operate Balwadis at Reay Road, Dharavi, Vasai Road, Colaba, Kalwa, Govandi and Ghatkopar. We reach around 500 children through our 14 volunteers at the 7 centres.
Street Children’s Ministry
At Sahaara, we lend our hands to yet another section of the socially rejected – street children. As an act of kindness and responsibility towards these children, we seek to impart basic morals and habits in them. Volunteers meet these children every Sunday. They teach them basic hygiene, prayers, songs, encourage the talents in them, feed them, and above all care for them and make them feel as a part of the society. Free medical check-ups and picnics are also organized for the children periodically.
Ministry to Eunuchs
Sahaara endorses yet another socially rejected group – the eunuchs. The Indian society looks down upon them and they are being abandoned by their own close relatives. As a process of welcome, we make periodical contacts with them. They are helped with candid interaction, counseling and health care
Adult Literacy
Age is neither a restriction nor an eligibility criterion to start learning. The basics of language and numbers are taught to people of varied age groups. They are empowered with minimal knowledge and school dropouts are encouraged to complete their studies. Trained volunteers make earnest efforts to enlighten these people and the non-formal education system has brought life into several students. Through our Adult Literacy programme, Sahaara aspires to touch the lives of the illiterate adults in Mumbai.
Disaster Relief Measures
Apart from our regular activities, we have extended our hand to the victims of the worst natural calamities that have struck in recent times; the earthquake in Gujarat, the Tsunami in Tamilnadu and the Floods in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. It is our objective to contribute significantly to the rehabilitation of the victims and restoration of peace in their lives.