Maitri is a collective effort of people, engaging on some of the critical developmental issues of the country. After a brief gestation period, in 2005 Gen (Retd.) Bhopinder Singh and Winnie Singh took the initiative to bring the collective into a reality. The organization was born out of a felt need to fill in the gaps in awareness about essential health impacting information such as STI’s, HIV/A
IDS and TB for the uniformed services and their families. However, since 2007, Maitri has expanded its areas of reach through a variety of programmes. These programmes include domestic violence sensitization and awareness , victim support and victim-to- survivor program (with a special focus on the uniformed services and their families) Maitri also promotes respect, dignity, and support for abandoned elderly widows in Vrindavan (Mathura, India). Some of our other initiatives include improving the health and welfare of vulnerable migrant populations like rickshaw pullers and the homeless. We provide educational opportunities for slum children in Delhi with a nutrition programme. We also organize HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns supported with a voluntary counselling and testing centre. Maitri India’s current initiatives are centered on the core principles of identity, dignity, and respect. These initiatives include improving the lives of the widows of Vrindavan, ending violence against women, facilitating citizenship rights for migrant workers, providing education and rights to marginalized women and children, and testing for HIV/AIDS. All of Maitri’s response is evolved out of its belief in each individual to right to have an identity, right to dignity, and respect and Maitri’s vision is to contribute to a fair and equitable society. To achieve this vision Maitri works to promote access to basic health, education, rights and equal opportunities to most vulnerable populations particularly women and children in difficult situations. We are committed to contributing to the quality of life and dignity of the populations we work with, that include vulnerable women, including destitute and marginalised widows, members of uniform services and their families, migrant population and their families, survivors of domestic violence, underprivileged children, and those affected by HIV and AIDS. Maitri defends human rights and strengthens communities through individual and community empowerment through advocacy, education, community-based program development, and networking. With this view of the world Maitri has drawn up a strategic plan for 2014-2020. During this period, Maitri’s strategic objective directions are the following:
- To work towards reducing violence against women
- To promote respect and dignity to destitute, abandoned and elderly women including widows
- To establish homeless resource centre for homeless in Delhi,
- To carry out Targeted Intervention to Reduce HIV Vulnerability of Migrant Workers in Delhi
- To conduct capacity building program for marginalized women and children
- To provide advocacy and support for the rights of migrant workers/ Rickshaw pullers
- To achieve this strategic objective Maitri also has developed a communication strategy and a resource mobilization strategy.
