User talk:BunnySaru

SAATH Nepal
SAATH. In Nepali, it means “Support” & “Togetherness”. SAATH a social work organisation believes that youth leadership and spirit generate positive vibes for innovation and social change. It works together with different individuals, groups and organizations in order to provide necessary support for people in need and marginalized communities.

Background of the Organization

On June 25, 2004, eleven youth with educational background in Social Work initiated SAATH Event 2004. It was organized with the support of young people, local organizations and people living with HIV and AIDS. The success of the event motivated the youth to take more action for positive change. SAATH was officially established in 2006 and voluntarily worked with youth-led programs in several social issues, including HIV and AIDS, Drug Use, LGBTI and marginalized community. Since August 2012 it started working actively as a full-fledged organization. The right effort, commitment and leadership of these dynamic youth have made SAATH always alive and vigorous on its path. The idea of SAATH started when eleven students with educational background in social work started a small project to support women and children living with HIV & AIDS. The success of the project motivated these students to continue working for social change. The group continued to work in different fields as a voluntary-based organization with youth-based projects in issues related to marginalized communities. This has included issues related to HIV and AIDS, Drug Use, Child Rights, LGBTI and elderly. From 2012, SAATH took the next step. We then decided to direct our focus on education, socialization and capacity building for children who belong to marginalized communities. In addition, our approach of working also includes creating awareness & advocacy through different programs.

Vision “A Nepalese society being developed into a just society where people from all sectors would have equal access to opportunities and would enjoy their human rights.”

Mission “To build actions and movements to restore socio-economic justice, humanity, peace and integrity among marginalized communities.”

Goal “To promote social justice, socio-economic change, human rights and peace on a local, regional and national level through the establishment of professional social work.”

Objectives
 * 1) Take positive and innovative actions to protect and promote the rights of marginalized and underprivileged people.
 * 2) Generate a sense of solidarity among people from different academic and professional backgrounds to work for a just society.
 * 3) Motivate and create a platform for youth to ensure their genuine action to address socio-economic issues.
 * 4) Develop a strong network of social workers, social work organizations, social work colleges and like-minded stakeholders to establish and promote professional social work in Nepal.

Programmes SAATH has been working and advocating for the marginalized communities. Our projects and activities are designed to promote social justice and social change to support for socio-economic transformation. The Human Face, The Human Face Dialogue Debate and Discussion, Hakuna Matata, Youth-led Campaign against Drug Use and SAATH Flea Market are the major existing projects of SAATH. The activities and projects have been effectively deliberating outcomes to fulfill the needs of the marginalized population. Youth, children, people living with HIV and AIDS, and marginalized community have been benefiting through our projects and activities.

a) The Human Face The Human Face is a media advocacy program focusing on raising the voices of people and the vulnerable groups who have remained unremarked, unheard and unnoticed. We address the policy issues that affect the social life of the general public with a special focus on marginalized community. In this mission, in addition to the radio program “The Human Face” was aired via Citizen FM until March 2014 and from IMAGE FM 97.9 MHz since April. 2014. SAATH has incorporated public discussion forums with the students, social workers, community people and other stakeholders entitled “The Human Face Dialogue Debate and Discussion” Image FM covers 75 districts, online through SAATH website and rural and urban setting through discourse program.

b) Youth-led Campaign against Drug use Youth-led Campaign against Drug Use is an awareness program that focuses on creating awareness level among upper secondary level students in five development regions of Nepal. The campaign provides a platform for young social work students with undergraduate or graduate degree in Social Work who receives a platform to be aware about the issue and act as a change agent to disseminate truthful facts, figures and share information on Drug Use. The campaign has been conducted with the concept of infotainment. The students were given information through drama, presentation and participation. The main goal of the program was to sensitize young children about drugs, drug use and its repercussion. The program is organized with the partnership of UNODC Vienna, schools and partnering organization.

c) Hakuna Matata Hakuna Matata is a support fund for children who are HIV positive or affected by HIV. The program aims to support the children with financial aid for their education as well as build their capacity and help them socialize. The educational fund has been supporting 30 children at present who are HIV positive or affected by HIV and AIDS. Location of the project: Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kaski.

d) SAATH Flea Market SAATH Flea Market is a fund raising concept for educational support for children living with HIV and AIDS by selling unused goods and second hand goods. SAATH Flea Market is an innovative approach of SAATH of raising fund to support children affected by HIV and AIDS for their education. The concept of a flea market is to start a culture of using unused goods, second hand goods and sell it at a reasonable price at the market to raise the fund. The seller can either sell their goods receive 50% of the sale or donate it for a cause. And the remaining 50% of the profit goes to the fund. The Flea market is organized at 1905 Restaurant every Saturday. Besides, the program is also organized in several schools/colleges and other restaurants. Location of the project is Kathmandu.