AASHA

Aasha - an alliance for the mentally ill was founded by Dr. Sarada Menon in 1989. The first of its kind in the country, to serve the cause of Schizophrenics and their families, Aasha is an associate member of the World Schizophrenia Fellowship, Canada.

Aasha runs a day care centre at Chromepet. Occupational therapy, vocational training and recreational activities are conducted for the patients. Aasha also conducts regular campaigns to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness. It focuses on giving support, advice and counselling to the families of the patients.

Donations in cash or kind are accepted. Donations to Aasha are exempt from Income Tax under 80G Income Tax act.

Address: Aasha, G-1, Pankaj Nivas, 25, Third Street, State Bank Colony, Nanganallur, Chennai - 600 061.
Phone: 232 2643

Day care Centre: Aasha, # 2, Works Road, Chromepet, Chennai - 600 044

NALAMDANA

Packing together all the ingredients needed to hold audience attention, Nalamdana, a community theatre group, presents street shows, most often to create awareness on health issues. This organisation, involved in IEC (Information, Education and Communication) for social development, was formed in 1993.

Nalamdana believes that one-hour dramas ending with positive messages, serve as effective communication tools. At the end of the play, the organisation arranges for workshops and discussions for youth, to explain in detail the message of the play. An evaluation survey conducted after the show enables the staff to answer queries and clear doubts. Testing cards are distributed on demand, with information on local, authorised health centres.

The issue on which Nalamdana has done most of its intervention programmes is HIV/AIDS. Their educational intervention addresses the aspects of high-risk sexual behaviour, treatment for curable STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and the use of condoms.

The other issues addressed are immunisation, general hygiene, cancer screening, alcoholism, drug abuse, women empowerment, industrial safety, female infanticide and suicide prevention.

Nalamdana also creates communication material for distribution, arranges education scholarships for aspiring students and conducts workshops and programmes to educate them on career opportunities. Functioning on sponsorship, the members of the organisation are college youth whose inter-personal skills and education make them effective communicators. There are six full-time and eight part-time staff members who have performed over 300 shows in urban and rural areas.

Address: Nalamdana, # 20, LIC Colony, Dr.Radhakrishnan Nagar,
Chennai - 600 041
Phone: 491 6347
Fax: 235 2375
E-mail: nalam@vsnl.com

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