Jaipur orphanage for HIV-positive children faces accommodation problems

JAIPUR - Caretakers of an orphanage for HIV-positive children in Jaipur are facing hardships while trying to find premises for housing it.

The orphanage, Positive Women Network of Rajasthan (PWN+), was started three years ago by two HIV-positive women, Susheela and Asha, who were abandoned by their husbands and in-laws, after they contracted HIV.

They said they cannot purchase their own property to house the orphanage for they do not have enough income.

Renting premises for the orphanage has proved to be very difficult for them as people are not willing rent them accommodation out of fear of the disease.

“Nobody wanted to help these children for education or anything else. So it was a challenge for us to start a home like this, as everybody was afraid to help or support these children. They think that even they will contract HIV-AIDS infection, or their investment would go waste, as these children do not have a career or a future,” said Susheela.

“Even the educated class is not ready to accept that HIV infection will not spread if HIV-positive people live in their house and so they do not provide their houses on rent,” she added.

Despite numerous efforts, they have to change accommodation often, as the landlords usually ask them to vacate the premises as soon they come to know that the children are HIV-positive.

Both of them spend around Rs 18,000-19,000 every month on the orphanage’s needs. The money comes from their jobs and donations. (ANI)