Name of the project: SASO-Social Awareness Service Organisation - Chandel

Location:

• State: Manipur
• District: Imphal. Chandel, Kakching, Thoubal
• Operational area: Imphal, Kakching in Thoubal district & selected areas of Chandel Districts of Manipur.
• Target Population: Injecting Drug User, Men having sex with Men & Female Sex Workers

Background:
SASO (Social Awareness Service Organization) was established 1991 by a group of ex-drug users aspiring to contribute towards addressing issues which had already affected their own lives in some way or other. As a policy SASO gives equal opportunity to PLHA and ex-drug users. SASO runs 4 health clinics, 7drop-in center and a vocational training centre for widows and spouses. SASO also have SHG networking forum consist of 12 SHG among the targets of drug user, IDUs, PLHAs, MSMs and Widows.

Since October 2005 SASO started working with Project ORCHID in the Chandel district as a trail project among the IDUs and their spouses. During this six month project staffs are able to build up capacity among them, various training program has been attended organised by the Project ORCHID and other SASO existing project. Apart from the project activity SASO project staff ventured into the formation of SHGs for IDUs PLHAs and strengthening them for sustainability. Advocacy is also a major role for the organization in different sectors of the society. The long effort of bringing about an understanding with the community at large has never gone into vain as it is well responded by the participation of communities in program undertakings.  

Objective:

• To prevent HIV transmission through injecting drug use among 2100 IDUs & their partners in selected wards of Imphal, Kakching in Thoubal district & selected areas of Chandel Districts of Manipur.

Contact address:
Khwai Lalambung Makhong RIMS. Road(S), Imphal-795001, Manipur (India)