Donations to Cheyutha (WCBO) are exempted
under section 12A / 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
under section 12A / 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Dear Friends, I am pleased to present the second annual report of Cheyutha and outline some significant achievements of the women’s community based organization (WC80) in 2017-18. These achievements are immense considering the beginnings of Cheyutha which are closely linked to my personal journey with HIV. In November 1999, when I was diagnosed with HIV in my seventh month of pregnancy, it was beyond scary-societal awareness was limited to isolating those like me and I suddenly found myself with no familial or community support, counselling and a hostile medical environment. Very quickly the situation worsened when I became a widow with a little child. Juxtapose 2018-while the agony and emotional distress would remain, I definitely would have a WC80 like Cheyutha to counsel and guide me all the way through delivery, protect my child from transmission and address my nutrition and livelihood needs!
I feel immense pride to state that though the path I walked on since that day in 1999 was fraught with challenges and frustrations, it culminated to where. I am able to extend a helping hand (Cheyutha!) to many others suffering a similar plight. This was made entirely possible because of LEPRA Society, our mother organisation, which played a key role by providing the skills needed to advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. The second publication of our annual report is proof of the fact that LEPRA Society’s efforts have not gone in vain!
I take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to Dr.P.V. Ranganadha Rao, former CEO, LEPRA Society, as well as Mr. Ashim Chowla, the current CEO, for empathising, encouraging and pushing us to scale new heights and carve an independent identity. I would also like to thank Mrs. P. Mekhala, Deputy Director, Telangana State AIDS Control Society (TSACS), whose association since 2003 helped fillip Cheyutha’s work in the field. I am greatly indebted to my team and our donors who truly are the wind beneath my wings!
I dream of a day in the near future when no expectant mother goes through distress if diagnosed HIV positive.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kagitha Laxmi Priya
Cheyutha WCBO
Premises of Red Cross Hospital , Dilshuknagar, Sahithi Nagar, Gaddi annaram, Hyderabad - 500 039. Telangana. India.