PALAWI

HIV-AIDS is a serious issue in the society today. HIV + newborns and children are orphaned and abandoned at graveyards, railway stations, S.T. stands, garbage disposals, due to lack of awareness and misconception about HIV. ‘Prabha- Hira Pratishthan’ is striving for rehabilitate these children. The organization has undertaken the work to care, love and provide proper nutrition and medical facilities to these children. This special project is called ‘Palawi’( which means Foliage).

The organization is working since 2003, 10 km from Pandharpur. It started off from a small iron shed now acquires its own place and in 2004 it shifted to new home.

Couple of years ago I translated a poem by Mrs. Mangal Shah, sharing with you all 'a poem by a kid leaving with Aids'

Hide and Seek with death

Dear death, don’t think I am going away from you.

Don’t even think I am trying to escape

I am one kid living with HIV

Just playing with you a little

Cause nobody comes to play with me, or joke around these days

Dear death, when I realized you are coming,

I decided to play Hide and seek with you

Try and catch me a little late if possible

I’ll get the taste of life a little longer...

-          Mrs. Mangal Shah

           Translation – Ms. Rama Jadhav