Organizational and Cultural Background (Addressing the Problem):

Despite India’s recent remarkable economic and technological progress, many segments of the population remain in the “third-world”, and children living with HIV remain marginalized. The largest cities are massively overpopulated, with wide-spread poverty among the lower social strata and high levels of chronic disease, including HIV).  Despite marked improvements in awareness, there remains a high level of social stigma against those living with HIV. Snehagram was conceived in 2008 when the current directors of the program decided to dedicate themselves to nurturing the physical, mental, and emotional development of severely underprivileged and neglected young children living with HIV status in south India. The children are born of untreated, HIV-infected mothers, and come from difficult and tumultuous family circumstances. The majority are orphaned or soon to be orphaned, and were abused (verbally, physically, or sexually).

Despite the many obstacles that they have faced, the directors and staff of Snehagram have held an unshaken faith in their potential and believe that they can grow to be productive and compassionate members of society!