Soukhya Sanjeevini Samsthe

SSS is been supported by Swasti for the HIV/AIDS prevention project, that is being funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations Project, Avahan III.

Activities of SSS are as follows:

• FSW Target Intervention Program: With the support of the government, SSSs goal is to halt HIV/AIDS epidemic for urban based Female Sex Workers (FSW) based in Chikballapur district in Karnataka. SSS has helped approximately 1,553 FSWs in the district. SSS has also adopted ABC4DE approach for tackling HIV/AIDS. ABC4DE includes A-Awareness, B-Behaviour change, C4-Continence, Condom Promotion, Community Involvement, Continuity, D-Drugs, care & support, and E-Empowerment of social & economic aspects.
• Samvedana Program: Project Samvedana was funded by United Nations Trust Fund. It plans to address gender based violence (physical, sexual and psychological) against women in sex work. SSS' goal is to create a society free from violence against women in any organization.
• Social Protection Program: Funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Social Protection Programs objective is to strengthen the CBOs self-sustainability. Through peer & outreach workers, all SSS members receive information and education on personal hygiene, reproductive health issues in women, STI & HIV basics, condom demonstrations, HIV related services and importance of forming groups.
• Community Participation: Working with the Self-Help Groups (SHG) and other community groups, SSS tries to create awareness and sensitization of community members in topics like forming SHGs, CBO fund mobilization activities, HIV/AIDS awareness camps, blood donation camps, etc.

Other programs include Income generation for Soukhya group members; Monthly meetings are held at the DIC (Drop in Centre) in Chikballapur, located in government campuses, to conduct counselling services, awareness programs, condom promotion, health camps, and health check-ups.