How this family is overcoming HIV stigma to transform lives of affected children

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In a quiet corner of small village Takli near Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Palawi, a rehabilitation center, offers a vital refuge for those society often overlooks. Founded by Mangaltai Shah and her daughter Dimple Ghadge under the Prabha-Hira Pratisthan NGO, Palawi’s story is one of resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to uplift the most vulnerable.

“My mother, Mangaltai, has been working in this field for nearly 50 years” Dimple shares with ImpactStories.in. “I remember accompanying her as a child, visiting orphanages and leprosy colonies, feeding the hungry, and caring for the sick. It was a natural transition for me to continue this work.”

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The Birth of Palawi

In 1998, the HIV epidemic was rapidly spreading across rural Maharashtra, bringing with it fear, stigma, and the abandonment of children and adults. It was during this turbulent time that Mangaltai Shah and her daughter, Dimple Ghadge, found themselves at a crossroads that would change their lives forever. One day, they received a call to visit a village in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, where two young HIV-positive children had been abandoned. The sight was heart-wrenching: the two little girls, aged just 2.5 and 1.5 years, were left on a pile of roadside garbage—one crying, the other motionless. Their parents had died of AIDS, and their relatives, gripped by fear and stigma, had discarded them in a cow shed, believing they brought 'shame' to the family and could infect others simply by their presence.

Moved by their plight, Mangaltai tried to persuade the villagers to care for the girls, but no one would take them in. The pervasive fear of HIV had led to a cruel rejection, not just by the villagers, but by society at large. Undeterred, Mangaltai and Dimple decided to bring the girls home, providing them with the first meal and a bath they had received in days. When they tried to find an orphanage or care home that would accept the HIV-positive children, they were met with closed doors. Not a single institution in Solapur district—or even across Maharashtra—was willing to take them in.

This experience became a turning point for the Ghadge family. They realized the dire need for a safe haven for these children, who were rejected even by orphanages due to their HIV status. And thus, Project Palawi under the NGO Prabha-Hira Pratisthan was born in 2001, starting as a modest shelter but growing into a sanctuary for hundreds of HIV+ children and women over the years.

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Challenges and Resilience

Starting Palawi was not without its challenges. The stigma surrounding HIV was, and still is, a significant hurdle. “People would avoid us, whisper behind our backs, and even stopped inviting us to social events,” Dimple recalls. “They questioned why we would waste money on children they believed wouldn’t survive long.”

Despite these social obstacles, Palawi pressed on, driven by the belief that every life is valuable. In 2004, a breakthrough came when an article by Pradhyapak Pravin Dawane brought widespread attention to their work. This recognition led to increased support and allowed Palawi to expand, securing a 400 sq ft space to house a few more children.

Self-Reliance as a Lifeline

Central to Palawi’s mission is the concept of स्वावलंबन (Swawlambhi)—self-reliance. “We teach our children the importance of independence,” Dimple explains. “Every child participates in school activities, learning skills like making paper crafts, shopping bags, and quilts. This not only gives them a sense of purpose but also helps them earn their own pocket money.”

This focus on self-reliance extends beyond the children. Palawi has trained 750 women in various skills, providing them with sewing machines or farm jobs to ensure they too can stand on their own feet.

A Broader Impact

Palawi’s impact goes beyond just shelter and care. They have facilitated 26 marriages between HIV+ individuals, and thanks to proper medical care and awareness, nine couples have had HIV-negative children. “This is a significant milestone,” Dimple notes, “because it shows that with the right care and knowledge, HIV positive individuals can lead full lives and even have healthy families.”

Additionally, Palawi has taken on the responsibility of caring for elderly and mentally unstable individuals abandoned by their families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their work now encompasses not just HIV+ care but also rehabilitation for those who have been discarded by society.

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“With the right care and knowledge, HIV positive individuals can lead full lives and even have healthy families.” - Dimple Ghadge

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Success Stories

Among the many lives transformed at Palawi is that of Prerna (name changed to hide the identity), who came to Palawi as a frail, HIV+ 5-year-old. Through years of care, she not only survived but thrived, earning a role as Palawi’s Chief of Administration at just 25 years old.
Aparajita (name changed to hide the identity) is another success story—a mentally unstable woman who was rescued from the streets after being raped and left to fend for herself. Four years later, she is now stable and living a dignified life at Palawi.

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Ongoing Challenges

Despite their successes, Palawi continues to face significant challenges. “Our biggest need right now is space,” Dimple says. “We can currently shelter 250 people, but there are many more out there who need help. We need a new hall that can house at least 1000 more children, but it will cost around ₹20 lakhs.”

The stigma against HIV+ individuals also remains a barrier, with many children denied entry into schools and even basic medical treatment. “One of our girls needs a root canal, but no dentist is willing to treat her because of her HIV status,” Dimple reveals. She suggests that increasing awareness about how HIV spreads and fostering the inclusion of HIV+ individuals as integral members of society are crucial steps in dismantling this stigma. 

Palawi, under Prabha-Hira Pratisthan, illustrates what can be accomplished through unwavering kindness and determination. Starting from humble beginnings, it has now transformed the lives of over 1,000 HIV+ children till date and continues to empower women and marginalized groups through self-reliance. Despite facing significant challenges, including societal stigma and financial constraints, Palawi’s work has had a profound impact, offering hope and a future to those who had been written off by society.