(आपकी सुरक्षा हमारी ज़िम्मेदारी)
Success stories
On Sanrakshan Foundation's "Stories" page, we feature powerful success stories that highlight the real-life impact of our work. Each story showcases:
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The Challenge: The specific hardship an individual faced.
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Our Intervention: How Sanrakshan Foundation provided support.
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The Transformation: The positive change in their lives, emphasizing dignity, health, and hope.
These stories, often from transient communities, underscore how simple acts of providing essentials like pads or vaccines empower individuals and build healthier, more resilient communities.
STORY 1
Asha, her hands calloused from years of washing dishes in cramped Delhi kitchens, knew what a sanitary pad was. She'd seen the shiny advertisements, glimpsed them in the hands of women from the "proper" buildings. But for Asha and the other women in her slum, nestled precariously beside the overflowing drain, sanitary pads were a luxury, an impossible expense. During her menstrual cycle, like countless others, she resorted to old rags, often uncomfortable and unhygienic, leading to frequent infections and a gnawing anxiety. The shame and discomfort were a monthly burden she simply endured.
Then came the day the Sanrakshan Foundation arrived. Their van, painted with bright, hopeful colors, pulled up amidst the makeshift homes. Volunteers, with warm smiles and no judgment, began distributing packets of sanitary pads. Asha, hesitant at first, found herself reaching out. The smooth, clean packaging felt foreign in her hands. That month, for the first time in years, she experienced a period of unprecedented comfort and dignity. The relief was immense, a silent joy that spread through her small, resilient community.
As the Sanrakshan team prepared to leave, Asha approached them, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Didi," she said, her voice soft but earnest, "please come every month. Our homes, they are not fixed. The government can move us anytime. We can't afford even these basic things we need." Her words were a poignant reminder of the fragility of their existence, where even fundamental hygiene was a luxury, and consistent access to it a dream. Sanrakshan Foundation's monthly visits became a beacon of hope for Radha and many others, a testament to dignity in the face of uncertainty.
STORY 2
Kamla watched with a mix of relief and apprehension as the Sanrakshan Foundation volunteers arrived with their monthly distribution of sanitary pads. The previous month, receiving the clean, packaged pads had been a godsend, a stark contrast to the old cloths she usually had to use. Yet, a silent discomfort lingered. Her husband and father-in-law often sat in the communal area outside their makeshift home, and the thought of them seeing her accept such a personal item filled her with a familiar blush of shame.
This month, as a volunteer approached, Kamla whispered, her eyes darting towards the men, "Didi, can you give us the pads a little away from here? They usually sit right there, and... it's difficult." Her request was a quiet plea for privacy, a stark reminder of the deep-seated stigma surrounding menstruation in many communities.
Recognizing this unspoken barrier, Sanrakshan Foundation decided to do more than just distribute. The next week, they organized a special workshop. It wasn't just for the women; husbands, fathers-in-law, and even older boys were encouraged to attend. Through respectful dialogue, simple illustrations, and open Q&A, the volunteers explained the biological reality of menstruation and the absolute necessity of hygienic products like sanitary pads. They emphasized that it was a natural bodily function, not a shameful secret, and that providing these items was a matter of health and dignity. Slowly, carefully, the wall of silence began to crack. For many, it was the first time they had ever discussed such topics openly. The workshop was a crucial step in breaking generations of ingrained stigma, helping everyone understand that there was no shame in needing or providing this essential item for every girl and woman.
