Celebrating
10
Years

History

Saathi has evolved over the years from an organization focusing on adolescent youth living on the street to a learning organization that extends its competencies to reach out to a wider group. Each project undertaken is done so with a recognition of existing needs and the unique way in which Saathi can contribute relief through past experiences.

Organizational Growth

1996:

Saathi informally begins work on pilot project working with Street Youth.

1997:

	Street Youth Project formally begins.
	Saathi formally registered under Bombay Societies Registration Act

1999:

	Situational Analysis regarding Girls living on the street.
	Girls Project formally begins.

2000-2001:

	Relief work, Collection centre with CRY for Gujarat earthquake
	Involved in preparing the background of a case registered against a foreigner for child pornography and child sexual abuse ( Marty’s Case)
	Registered under Foreign Contributions Registration Act (FCRA)

2001-2002:

	Project Aasman begins working with girls in pavement community.
	Drama therapy begins regularly; 15-20 boys attended sessions and performed at the Children’s Theatre Festival
	Saathi celebrated 5 years of existence; formal review of efforts and impact undertaken
	Dancing Feat with Shaimak Davar's group commenced and a group of boys gave their first stage performance
	Campaign QIC&AC launched - Saathi invited as a resource organisation for the State of Maharashtra, in the National campaign on Quality Institutional Care and Alternatives for Children, initiated by CRY

2002-2003:

	Take on first international intern which leads to full-fledged intern program
	Home Placement project jointly with Sathi Raichur
	Interventions with violence-affected children in Ahmedabad, Gujarat launched using drama and recreational sessions as a response to communal violence. Collaboration with Oasis and Sahyog
	Drama Theraphy sessions focus on a performance by Youth Initiative project participants enacting the trauma and pain experienced from Gujarat violence and forcing one to reflect on one’s own values and prejudices
	7 boys admitted to formal school; Kamathipura Municipal School
	Area Council at ward level formed
	YWCA night shelter inaugurated for girls and project has space in the Child Welfare Committee with regard to case intervention
	Income Generation Program for girls started

2003-2004

	Project Nilambur begins work in Kerala with surrendered timber smugglers and forest-dependent community.
	Long time partnership with Sathi (Raichur) evolves into our own formal Home Placement project.
	Formation of running team training for various events (esp. marathons). Program exemplifies how focus and determination can allow goals to be limitless.
	Recognized as a “Fit Institution” to act as guardians to children in conflict with the law.
	Five youths sit for Std. Xth exams through Open School

2004-2005

	Saathi given distribution rights for the feature length film "Devi" Ahilyabai by the producers, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).
	Saathi's first in-house night shelter inaugurated, providing space for 12-14 girls.
	Outdoor Vocational Training inaugurated, with its first batch of trainees moving on to paying traineeships.
	Girls on the Run: Repatriation of Runaways study published in book form. A condensed version of the study was given the top award for the BCPT-CAP Award for Excellence among VOs in Mumbai for Knowledge Sharing and Project Documentation.

2005-2006

Extended relief efforts to Vithalwadi (near Kalyan) after the July 26th flood in Mumbai.

Theatrical release of film "'Devi' Ahilyabai" in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and Solapur, Maharashtra.

Acceptance of Outdoor Vocational Training participants to Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (Uttarkashi) for Basic Mountaineering course (to be held in May and September, 2006)

Involvement in Child Labour raids and rescues, continued addressal of the issue.

Exit of the organization from the Nilambur project in recognition of geographical constraints in effectively carrying out project objectives.

2006-2007

Increased involvement with the government-run Children's Home in a co-management capacity.

Significant shift in projects, especially Youth Initiative, to work with education about individuals' rights and empowerment in pursuing them.

Initiation of research study into the role Mental Illness may play in adolescents leaving home, prevalence of Mental Illnesses within the population of adolescents living on the street / homeless, and exploration of tools to use in working with them.

Opening of the Short Stay / Aftercare Home as an extension of the Girls Project with the objective of providing an environment conducive to intensive therapeutic processes and grounding of the girls staying there.