As we grew we understood the needs of the women we worked with. The centre developed into a resource centre where we provided professional counseling services, medical care, micro-savings facilities, among other services.
During our home visits, there was a stark realization that the daughters of these women in prostitution were at a greater risk of being pushed into the flesh-trade due to their exposure to brothels and their lack of educational opportunities. Thus was born “Udaan” (earlier called “Sparrows”) in 2000 - a program dedicated to prevent the second generation from getting trafficked into prostitution. The program addresses the educational, vocational, medical and nutritional needs of the daughters of women living in the red light district. Some of the girls who were at very high risk of trafficking were referred to shelter homes or boarding schools.
Slowly the program was expanded to toddlers of the women, through a project called “Umang”. The toddlers were neglected and found loitering on the streets. AAWC established a kindergarten in 2002, which has evolved into a daycare centre combined with an educational program for young boys and girls between the ages of two and six years.
Since our inception we have reached out to more than 863 women, 274 girls and 186 children (updated statistics as of 2011)
AAWC is not about changing the world; it’s about making a difference in the lives of these marginalized women and children, who are otherwise abandoned, destitute and exploited, with few resources to keep their body and soul together.
1st lane Khetwadi,
1st Floor Municipal School,
Near Alankar Cinema,
Mumbai 400 004. India.
+ 91 22 2381 9721
+ 91 22 2381 2189
aawc98@gmail.com
