‘I’m Their Mother’: How This 72-YO Built a Safe Space for 150 Kids With HIV

In 2001, Mangal Shah from Maharashtra found two HIV+ babies aged 2.5 and 1.5 years, abandoned in a dirty cow shed. The children were left there, believed to have brought ‘shame’ to their family.

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When she found no orphanage willing to accept them, she brought them home. “I was disheartened to see that no government hospital was ready to admit them. We also tried to contact NGOs for orphans, but they also turned them away because of their HIV status. So, instead of waiting around, I decided to take care of these two little girls myself,” she says.

This experience inspired her to launch the Palawi Project to provide a loving home for such children. Fondly known as Mangal tai (elder sister in Marathi), she now extends motherly care to over 150 HIV+ children.

However, the journey hasn’t been easy.

Mangal faced abuse and was disowned from the community. She even had her water and electricity cut off. Yet, the 72-year-old refused to back down.

Through her organisation, she not only provides food, shelter, and medical care to these children but also empowers them with education and vocational training. The Palawi Project spends over Rs 6 lakh every month, relying mainly on donations.

You too can help to make a huge difference in the lives of HIV+ children.

Here are the donation details: ⬇️

Bank Name: IDBI Bank
Bank Address: Pandharpur - 413304
A/C Title: Prabha Hira Pratishthan
A/C No: 54010010004843
IFSC Code: IBKL0000540
UPI ID: 1000191107000012.9860069949@idbi

Edited by Khushi Arora.