1) Ms. Sheena (name changed to protect the identity) aged 26 is a young widow and a victim of AIDS. Her husband, a hemophilia patient, was infected with HIV through blood transfusion and had succumbed to his injuries in January 2000. Now Ms. Sheena and her son is under the care of her parents. Due to financial crisis she is not taking medicines. ESAF has been providing home-based care to her. We give hope and encouragement, in terms of physical and emotional support. We have educated her family about the precautions to be taken and helped them remove their misconceptions. Giving psychological and emotional support through the home-based care already changed their attitude. We believe the home-based care can change their fear, hatred and prejudice towards AIDS.

2)Anju (name changed) is a handicapped HIV +ve girl, looked after by her grandparents. Both her parents died of AIDS, ten years back. She still regrets of her inability to attend school due to her HIV status. For the last few years , a teacher comes home once in a week to take lessons for her. Her septuagenarian grandparents, depends on her father’s pension to meet the family’s needs. She needs Rs.4000 a month for her medicines. When most of her relatives and neighbors ignored them ESAF Staff was there to provide consolation. We interact with her on a regular basis to offer counseling and give her confidence to face the life

3) Priya and Raj (name changed) Priya contacted ESAF when her life was in absolute standstill. Just over a year, the couple was found to be HIV+ve. They were both employed when tragedy struck them in the form of that deadly virus. To add salt to the wounds, Raj was diagnosed with leprosy too. When we visited their home, we realized that his hands were paralyzed. With tearful eyes he welcomed us. He could not move around and his children had to feed him when his wife went for work. To support the family of four, Preetha worked as a daily wage laborer. When she was sick they were forced to borrow from their neighbors. Their families were too poor to help them. ESAF consoled them and prayed for them. Later, we helped them in reconstructing their house, which was in ruins. One month later miracle played a part in Raj's life as he was able to walk and use his hands. Now he occasionally sells lotteries and makes a living. Of course, ESAF will be there for them always.