Santi Seva

A community based self-help initiative of Hijra, Maichiya and other male-to-female transgender people in Bhadrak, Orissa

Mission: Building capacity of the Hijra, Maichiya and other male-to-female transgender communities in the Bhadrak district of Orissa to protect their right to life and health, and improve their social well being.

Organizational status: Registered as a Trust since October 2008 in Bhadrak.

A brief history: Six individuals got together in July 2006 to form Santi Seva with support from Fellowship, Bhadrak, Solidarity and Action Against The HIV Infection in India (SAATHII) and transgender activists from different parts of India.

Today, by the end of 2008, the group has nearly 20 active members who have links with nearly 200 Hijras, Maichiyas and other transgender persons all over Bhadrak district.

Key activities to meet core needs:

• Monthly open general and core group meetings at drop-in centres in Bhadrak and Charampa
• Emotional support, friendly guidance, telephone and face to face counseling services

   

• Livelihood and micro-credit programmes
• Adult non-formal education and library support

   

• General and sexual health services
• Social security measures

   

Main supporters: Fellowship, Bhadrak; SAATHII; Elton John AIDS Foundation, London; American Jewish World Service, New York; Orissa State AIDS Control Society

Contacts: Sk. Jalaluddin, Secretary (93487 87724); Hemanta Kumar Dash (94371 56478); Amitava Sarkar (99031 43305)

Address: Santi Seva, C/o Fellowship, Tarini Bhawan, Baliorada, P.O. / Dist. Bhadrak, Orissa, Pin 756 100, India

E-mail: santiseva@yahoo.com