Story
Introduction
Sheroes Hangout, a small community of around a hundred survivors, one of many communities for whom when disaster strikes they become very scared. Indeed, humanity has not seen before something like this, We all are hopeful & definitely we will win over COVID 19. Like this pandemic, there is something equally nasty & threatening called Acid Attacks, which everyone is not well aware & in the result Country has witnessed averagely more than 250 incidents of this heinous crime every year post-2015. As the crisis around the pandemic grows, the livelihoods of many survivors and their families surviving on daily wages have been shaken up. There are many, who rely on the support provided by their carers are particularly at risk during this difficult period.
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1. Donate quickly scanning QR Code through any UPI app
2. Transfer to Bank quickly using PayU
3. Direct Bank Transfer
Account Name: Chhanv Foundation
Bank Name: ICICI BANK
Account Number: 083105001175
IFSC CODE: ICIC0000831
Branch: LAXMI NAGAR, DELHI
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4. Friends outside India can support here:
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As the COVID’19, Corona Virus hit the various countries across the globe, we too, are not unaffected by this global pandemic. Various countries have been put to complete lockdown in the amid of this virus. In this very high atmosphere, both the outlets of Sheroes Hangout have been shut off accordingly. The closing of the cafes has directly affected the livelihood of the survivors associated with the cafe. They have to nourish not only themselves but to their families, kids who are directly dependent on these survivors.
Sheroes Hangout Cafe & Its History :
Sheroes Hangout, an initiative of Chhanv Foundation was started in Agra in December 2014. Today, with two cafes, in Agra & Lucknow, foundation has employed 30 survivors and added value in the life of hundreds of other girls by providing them counselling, medical help, career and education opportunities.
With an aim that survivor women have equitable opportunities to thrive and participate in inclusive communities, we run Cafe Sheroes Hangout Project that not only provide employment opportunities to women but also a platform where they come out with courage, a first of its kind initiative in a country where beyond suppression, there’s fierce trauma and a scarred life. The seed of both our cafes is awareness. It’s a fight against stigma, against discrimination, a battle for normalcy after suffering, and for equal opportunities.
The Role Sheroes plays in the lives of acid attack survivors
While helping survivors to rehabilitate and providing them jobs, the organisation found that many of them lacked professional skills and so we thought that a café could be the only place where both the skilled and non-skilled ones can work and earn together besides spreading awareness to other people about acid attacks. Thus, the idea of Sheroes Hangout came up. A venue where new wave feminism evolves every day to overcome the challenges faced by women in societies and cultures.
Today, with two cafes, in Agra & Lucknow, the cafe has added value in the life of hundreds of other girls by providing them complete rehabilitation involving counselling, medical help, career and education opportunities for them & their kids.
It is the support of Sheroes which has ensured many survivors to live a life like other normal people. They found acceptance in society, earning their livelihood with pride & are self-dependent.
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What we are fundraising for?
We need urgent funds because, at present, the employment of 30 survivors is on stake. India has no hope in the upcoming months as the number of COVID 19 patients is increasing day by day. As we are estimating it might take six months or more to be everything normal. We know that cafes will not be operated until one year, considering the help conditions of survivors. Most of them are immune-compromised. We are trying to save the employment of 30 acid attack survivors at the moment. We are also trying to provide minimum survival amount to 100 acid attack survivors in our network. So far, if you ask, How much Government pays to these people, it is just Rs 350 a month. We have received more than 100 requests from different states of India & most of them are in typical situations. The first phase of this campaign will ensure the minimum survival amount to 30 acid attack survivors.
Why Should you Donate?
This is a very crucial moment and we are looking for your participation. We must recognise that the weakest among all, most vulnerable will be the hardest hit. A crisis like COVID19 outbreak presents challenges that touch many areas of the lives of this small community of acid attack survivors. We are fighting, with tooth and nails, to bring all possible solution to normalise the lives of our team members. At this time, we are seeking your assistance with funding this urgent program, providing a survival opportunity for the acid attack survivors.
What Sheroes Has Done in the past two months:
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Sheroes has ensured two months salary without any delay to all 30 survivors when the country was imposed with complete lockdown for an indefinite time. This salary ensured them with all the basic needful commodities to nourish their families.
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My Fellow survivors started winning the hearts of thousands of our social media followers during LIVE shows broadcasted on Sheroes Hangout Instagram page. They did really well, there is no semblance of victimhood in them but they are in dire need of help after the lockdown. They're never so vulnerable than today, so fragile that slightest financial or emotional pressure can break the.
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Sheroes did whatever was possible to support hungry labours when they were walking for miles after the announcement of a month-long lockdown. We helped each other like sisters and brothers, they are spreading love and hope.
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Together, we get an opportunity to solve so many important problems, sometimes acute like COVID19 but sometimes just long term human problems of the people with different needs.