The orphenage
IN FEW DATES
Stages of the battle against the AIDS epidemic in India
1986
The first case of HIV in India diagnosed among the prostitutes of Chennai (the capital of Tamil Nadu).
1987
Creation of the National AIDS Control Program (NACP): increasing awareness, monitoring of blood banks and at-risk populations. Establishment of a national network of HIV screening centers in major urban areas.
1992
Creation of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), which brings into effect the National AIDS Program in India.
2003
The director of NACO, Dr Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, states that HIV/AIDS is no longer an issue that solely affects high-risk groups and urbanised populations, but has “progressively penetrated rural areas and the general population”.
2006
2.5 million people are infected with HIV or AIDS in India, 0.04% of which are youth (15-19 years old).
Elaboration (jointly by NACO, UNICEF, and the Indian Minister for Women and Child Development) of a singular policy for children affected by HIV. Its aims are to establish pediatric formulations of ARVs and help children overcome the discrimination associated with AIDS.
2007
UNAIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) states that among the 2.5 million people infected with AIDS in India, 70,000 are children under 15 years of age.
2013
UNAIDS World Report shows that out of the population of just under 1.28 billion people in India, 2.1 million live with HIV and 140 000 have died from AIDS.
Stages of the construction of the orphanage
1999
The inauguration of Shanthi Bhavan, a clinic to serve adult patients suffering from AIDS.
The centre is registered as an NGO to comply with the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (number 100 of 1998).
2003
Recognition of Shanthi Bhavan by the State of Pondichery: registration at the Social Welfare Department.
2006
Opening of the Shanthi Bhavan Children’s Home, an orphanage for children suffering from AIDS.
2008
Opening of a seperate house for adolescent boys
21 children now live at Shanthi Bhavan Children’s Home.
2011
Construction of a new building: originally planned for young children, we modified the plans to provide a separate area for girls and boys. Recognition of the Shanthi Bhavan Children’s Home by the State of Pondicherry: registration with the Social Welfare Department.
2012
Construction of an extension to the main building, for a bigger dining hall and an office room.
2016
256 children and youth aged 3-21 old are cared for educated and formed at the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Home.