SAHARA Michael's Home

Today was our first day at our new site heading out from our Vasant Kunj apartment (which is only for this week blah). It is again a part of SAHARA known as SAHARA Michael's Care Home and provides services in particular to IDU's (intravenous drug users) and those who have tested HIV positive. The MOST interesting part of this was to learn about how for the most part the program is run by former clients who have slowly turned into service providers. Both of the men whom we spoke to...Francis as well as Philip were former service seekers and are now at management type positions within the center...Philip told us he had been a IDU since he was 13 y/o but had given it up some 10-15 years back.

SAHARA Michael's in a nutshell:

1.) In-paitent facility consisting of 35 beds and will serve clients for as long as
needed...maybe 15 days maybe 3 months...medical tx...counselling...spiritual
support...etc

2.) Availibility of 24/7 Service...with doctors/nurses/health-care providers...

3.) Outpt Department which is open 5 days a week for four hours each day and serves
as an entry point for clients---whether they may need to be admitted...out pt
services or referral services (mental health, etc)

4.) Hands-On-Care Training (focusing on universal precautions, etc.) provided to
health-care providers who come from all over the nation for this certification

5.) Home-Based Care---this is provided from within the community so as to assure
there is not a high level of dependence on seeking out services at the
center/clinic for issues that can be solved on the home front-in turn promises
less use of resources

With the limited family/social support and the massive stigma associated w/these issues it becomes difficult for the clients (btw they do not like to use the word patient as it comes off as demoralizing in some sense). SAHARA is often the sole support system for these individuals and therefore it is very important for those running the program to provide a close-knit family feel to the center to provide a safe-haven for the vulnerable population to turn to...

This center just moved to a new location a month back and they are attempting to make it work. They are currently set up in a farmhouse (those who have been to India know it's like a day getaway place) and so it isn't the easiest thing. Also having been located in the previous location for 10 years it will take some time for the client population to re-direct and come to this new place which is 7-9 km away.

I had some thoughts today when Philip and Francis spoke about spirituality...will try to get them in later...btw there was a Delhi Bandha today (shutdown) because of the severe political tensions w/the Gujjar issue and their demands not being met...we rode home in an ambulance to assure our security...NEVER a boring day here...

Am back to write in about the spirituality bit I mentioned earlier. Today at orientation there was discussion of how the approach is of a spiritual type and not of a religious type. The focus is on helping these individuals understand the value of their life and the reality of the power above that is watching out for them. That to me is the true meaning of religion---a type where unity is promoted!!! The power of faith becomes all the more apparent watching these former clients so effectively manage this massive undertaking. This faith requires no massive temple/masjid/church...nor does it require any fancy scripture...nor does it demand anything else...and yet it seems to achieve so much more!!!