1. Targeted Intervention programme for transgender community in urban Bangalore
As part of the targeted intervention programme for the transgender community, we focus on comprehensive HIV awareness and prevention. This includes educating individuals on precautions, safe sexual practices, and providing counseling and volunteer HIV testing. We also emphasise spouse sensitisation to promote understanding and prevention within relationships. Our support extends to those living with HIV (PLHIV) by offering nutrition support, counseling for positive living, and encouraging healthy behaviors. We ensure consistent access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and provide assistance with managing side effects, fostering a holistic approach to health and well-being within the community.
Period of work done: 2013 onwards and on-going.
Coverage of beneficiaries: 2850
Source of funding: KSAPS (Karnataka State AIDS Preventation Society)
Amount of fund (in INR): 55,06,554 (2024-25)
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
We have been able to reach more than 95% of the community in urban Bangalore and provide the above services and thus are a valuable resource for the community in terms of accessing HIV and STIs prevention and care services. We were awarded for best implementation of TI in Karnataka for transgender community by the state in 2019-20. We were also awarded by the Women and Child department for best CBO in enabling the access to social entitlements and schemes among the transgender community in the year 2021-22.
2. Targeted Intervention programme for MSM community in urban Bangalore:
Similar to the targeted intervention for transgender community, as part of this programme, we focus on comprehensive HIV awareness and prevention for the MSM community in urban Bangalore.
Period of work done: 2020 onwards and on-going.
Coverage of beneficiaries: 4800
Source of funding: KSAPS (Karnataka State AIDS Preventation Society)
Amount of fund (in INR): 79,12,954 (2024-25)
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
We have reached out to all the MSM community in Bangalore to ensure that they have access to testing and care services for HIV and STIs. The community reaches out to us in case of any issues especially related to sexual health, use of condoms, lubricants, prevention or treatment of HIV and STIs.
3. Core Composite Targeted intervention programme for FSW, MSM, and Trangender communities in rural Bangalore
Access to HIV prevention services and sexual health is even more challenging in rural areas for the vulnerable communities like female sex workers, MSM and transgender groups. Hence as part of core composite targeted intervention programme, we are focussing on prevention of HIV services in rural Bangalore for FSW, MSM and transgender groups.
Period of work done: 2020 onwards and on-going.
Coverage of beneficiaries: 2900
Source of funding: KSAPS (Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Socity
Amount of fund (in INR): 50,57,823 (2024-25)
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
We have been able to successfully engage with all the groups in rural Bangalore through our outreach and gain trust of the community for them to be able to access services and we have reached out to 2900 members.
4. Vihaan (for TG PLHA)
As part of the Vihaan project, we provide dedicated care and support for the transgender community living with HIV (PLHIV). We also provide essential nutrition and food support to enhance overall well-being. Our efforts aim to eliminate stigma and discrimination, creating an enabling environment that empowers individuals. Additionally, we facilitate access to social entitlements, including pension and scholarships for children with HIV, along with providing books and nutritional support to ensure a comprehensive approach to care. Our work also focuses on re-engaging those who have missed or lost follow-up (LFU) with their treatment, offering personalized counseling, including family and spouse/partner sessions. We work in Bangalore urban, rural areas, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Bellary, Gulbarga, Yadgiri, Dharwad, Hubli, Chikballapura districts.
Period of work done: 2018 onwards and on-going.
Coverage of beneficiaries: 782
Source of funding: GFATM
Amount of fund (in INR): 13,03,606 (2024-25)
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
- Supported 100 transgender people living with HIV (PLHIV) over the past 3 years by providing monthly rations for better nutrition.
- Provided monthly nutritional food support to 240 transgender individuals.
- Secured housing through the government scheme for 17 transgender individuals.
- Facilitated access to social entitlements for 140 people through the Women and Child Development (WCD) department.
- Assisted 178 PLHIV in obtaining subsidiary loans.
- Arranged scholarships and nutritional food support for children living with HIV.
5. MITHR Project – HIV prevention for TGs, MSM
The MITHR model was designed to overcome personal and health system-related barriers to HIV testing. It offered HIV screening directly within communities through trained outreach workers (ORWs), removing obstacles and increasing testing uptake among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who were otherwise unreached. By utilizing a smartphone-based application, the model bridged potential gaps in knowledge and experience among trained HIV screeners. The MITHR model specifically aimed to improve the uptake of HIV Counseling and Testing Services (HCTS), particularly among transgender and MSM communities who were not accessing testing at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres (ICTCs).
Period of work done: 2018 - 2020
Coverage of beneficiaries: 3500
Source of funding: Aidsfonds with support from Swasti, Bengaluru
Amount of fund (in INR): 10,57,374
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
Through this project and approach, we were able to detect 48 new positive cases among young community members who had previously not undergone testing. We supported counseling and initiating them on ART.
6. Mithr 2.0 - Improving access to primary health care services among transgender community
We created a network of health care providers and sensitised them to provide various services covering the primary care needs of the transgender community in Bangalore. We also had outreach workers who facilitated the members to visit these providers and improve their access to care.
Period of work done: 2020 - 2021
Coverage of beneficiaries: 242
Source of funding: Grand Challenges Canada with support from Swasti, Bengaluru
Amount of fund (in INR): 7,70,724
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
102 transgender women were facilitated in accessing services with these providers in a year’s time and they expressed good feedback. Community continue to access services among these providers who we sensitised as part of the programme.
7. i4we - Invest for Wellness
As part of this programme, we created SHGs among the transgender communities for them to save money for their future needs, but also to provide preventive and comprehensive primary healthcare services. We conducted health camps to screen the community for diabetes, hypertension, anemia, etc and prevent illness.
Period of work: 2019 - 2021
Coverage of beneficiaries: 340 SHGs (2380 members)
Source of funding: Support from Swasti, Bengaluru
Amount of fund (in INR): 4,36,800
Outcome/outstanding achievement and awards:
- Encouraged saving habits among individuals who were not previously saving for the future, leading to a positive behavior change.
- Facilitated access to government bank loans, enabling people to take steps towards financial independence and move forward with their plans.
- Supported individuals in saving for future needs, including for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS).
- Primary healthcare needs were met.