Our Impact
Life as a woman in India, on some counts, is worse than almost every country in the world – according to a report of gender by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The implications of being a woman in India cover vast areas of medical, legal and socio-economic need, and we address them all.
Meena was the victim of repeated gang rape by local men infecting her with HIV. Due to mental trauma she developed Schizophrenia. She was found on the roadside with a septic head injury close to death.
10 yrs on, Meena is mentally and physically stable and enjoying life as a paid worker at our shelter for destitute women.
Maya was found on the outskirts of the city on a national highway wandering in temperatures of 48 C She had been raped by lorry drivers and dumped on the road side. She was traumatised and unable to talk. Maya is HIV+.
Today, Maya's mental and physical heath has improved and she has been reunited with her children and family.
Reshmi was subjected to beatings by her husband for not providing him with a son.
Today Reshmi (left) is a changed woman with hope for the future.
Savita spent 12 yrs living on the streets where she was exposed to violence & abuse. suffering from undiagnosed post natal depression, she was forced out of the matrimonial home.
Savita after rehabilitation.
Mamta found wandering the streets suffering from mental health problems which developed after years of domestic violence.
Today Mamta is living a happy, independant life.
We paid for 37 yr old single parent Bharti to have life saving heart surgery.
Leprosy patient Nagabai received eye surgery to save her sight and has had support from us for 15 yrs providing dressings for ulcers on her hands & feet.
Durga was forced our of the home when her husband died of AIDS. He infected her with HIV. Living on the streets she contracted TB.
After the charity's intervention Durga is happy and well.
Testimonials
Conrad Birch – Kent, UK – www.roarr.me
The work is remarkable. I am always very moved by the empathy and enthusiasm Leah and Usha give so willingly to the work of WIN. To see lives being changed and improved by their consistent drive to break down barriers of bigotry and indifference, to try and shake up entrenched customs and improve lives, is a lesson we can all learn from these two remarkable woman. Hi say a big "Halayouya" to them as I know their work will be unceasing until the last women is no longer living on the streets.
Dr Sheila Bailey – Lancashire, UK
“I have had the privilege of visiting Leah and Usha and witnessing the work they do on several occasions. It is rare to see such commitment to making the lives of women marginalised by illness, poverty and circumstance better, and it is wonderful to know that such work goes on. The need to uplift and empower women across much of the world remains a huge challenge in this millennium and Women in Need succeed in this by providing care, support and a genuine belief in the women they reach out to. I hope they go from strength to strength.”
The Robson’s – Ireshopeburn, UK
'The unfailing love, care, compassion, passion, service, tolerance, equality and self-sacrifice shown by Leah and Usha and their wonderful staff, all wrapped up in absolute professionalism, is truly astonishing.
How blessed are those, patients and friends, whose lives are touched by these amazing people.
They are Guardian Angels.'
Thanks for the wonderful work you continue to do for those wonderful people who need you! Wish we could do more."
Sarah Millington – Sunderland, UK
“I visited WIN's base in Nagpur in 2005 after first meeting Leah at her parents' house in Weardale and feeling compelled to see the charity's work first-hand. It impressed me more than I could have imagined. Leah and Usha's in-depth understanding of the difficulties faced by women combined with genuine empathy and the determination to make lives better makes this a truly special and unique charity. I cannot praise it highly enough.”
Chev Paul Warren - Malta
The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem
I have visited WIN three times, and I never cease to be amazed at the scope of work they undertake. There is a dedicated team devoted to the cause.
The involvement in the leper colony at Dattapur is also very important.
The Order of St Lazarus has been able to help out several times, and it is always gratifying when I visit to see our ambulance, and also the auto rickshaw at Dattapur in action.
I am always ensured of a warm welcome and I look forward to my next visit in February 2016.
