TABITHA HOME

Introduction

• Tabitha Home is a home/shelter exclusively for HIV infected orphans. • The Home is run by Thanshok Kamkra and his wife

Tammi.• Tabitha Home derives its name from the Bible (Act

9: 36-42) based on the concept of serving the destitute children, helpless widows and poor people.

• Tabitha Home or Tabitha Ministries comes under the legal jurisdiction of NSCP- Networking Service for Community Participation.

• NSCP is registered, under Manipur Societies Registration Act and FCRA, under the Ministries of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.

• It is a charitable and non-profit making organization working for the welfare of the community since 1992.

About NSCP Brief History

• Challenged by the alarming rate of drug abuse cases and issues in Manipur, NSCP was formed in 1992.

• It aims to address social challenges and problems mainly addiction among the youth.

• It provides counselling as well as referral services to help drug addicts, alcoholics etc.

• Many drug addicts have been counselled and encouraged to take HIV/AIDS test.

• NSCP conducted many awareness programs and workshops especially in schools.

• NSCP succeeded in creating awareness and making various schools in Imphal tobacco free.

• NSCP carried out various sensitisation programs in remote areas/villages in the state.

• In 2001, responding to the burning issue of HIV and AIDS menace in the state, NSCP started addressing the problems faced by HIV+ widows and orphans.

• To provide care and support to destitute and poor HIV+ orphans, Tabitha Home was established.

Current HIV/AIDS Scenario in Manipur

• WHO estimates 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide in 2008 of which 2.1 million are children.

• An estimated 2.5 million people infected in India (UNAIDS, mid 2007).

• Manipur is one of the six high prevalence states in India with 2578 HIV positive children and the number is growing at an alarming rate.

• Nearly 8% (38,016 cases) of India’s total HIV positive cases are in the state.

Why Tabitha Home

A home where vulnerable and destitute children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS are accepted,

protected and loved.

Thanshok with children at the 5th Health Camp

Health care

Nutrition and education to HIV infected orphans

• To eliminate discrimination (towards people living with HIV/ AIDS) and educate the masses by raising awareness.

• To provide counseling and referral services.

What We Do

• Create access and linkage for HIV/AIDS infected people to various health facilities.

• Active advocacy among the masses.

• Help and assist HIV+ widows to attain sustainable economic means of livelihood.

• Awareness and counseling.

• Organise Health Camps inviting infected and affected people.

• Strong networking and referral services.

Purpose of Health Camps

• Five Health Camps have been conducted till date• Free health check-ups• Free medicine supply• Counseling

Health Camps are specifically designed for people who are deprived of proper guidance and treatment due to poverty, lack of education (on HIV/AIDS), geographical location etc.

Current Status

• Total 12 children residing at the Home.• 6 children on ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy). • Regular health check-ups and CD4 count tests done.• Education for the children.• No regular fund or assistance.• 7 regular staffs (on voluntary basis).

Income generated through…

Flower sales

Catering services

Piggery

Social works

Need and Challenges

• Separate dormitories for boys and girls.

• Medical treatment expenses.

• Sustainable and regular funds.• Support for education.• Salary for the staffs.• Support/assistance to conduct Health Camps.• Set up more health care centers and homes.

• Separate education center exclusively for HIV+ children along with vocational training centers.• Conduct pre-marital as well as post-marital counseling among the youth.

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any

good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again"

- William Penn

Thank You