S-ILF’s Journey
S-ILF got registered
Starting from scratch, S-ILF builds its framework and action plan in the first year
Livelihood program
The first projects of the livelihood program started in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Uttarakhand
Global Appeal 2010
S-ILF, jointly with TNF, organised the 5th Global Appeal in India
Starting the Education program
Named as Skills to Employment, STEP-UP program, scholarships were awarded to youth from leprosy colonies for Nursing (with funds from SBI) and basic skills training (pilot in Andhra Pradesh)
Young Partners’ Program (YPP)
The awareness program for school children (later college students too) started with support from NHRC. The very first year saw the sensitisation drive reaching to 24 government schools in Delhi.
Partnership with NSDC
To mobilise and train youth from leprosy colonies, S-ILF and NSDC came together and initiated the pilot project in five states.
Yellow Ribbon campaign
To raise awareness around the disease and to support the cause, a ribbon campaign was initiated by S-ILF. Yellow, denoting health, was chosen as the colour. 2,000 students, 50 Parliamentarians and 200 attendees at S-ILF’s events were reached in the first phase of the campaign.
His Holiness Dalai Lama- Sasakawa Scholarships (HHDLSS)
To support the dream of youth from leprosy colonies to pursue higher professional courses, His Holiness the Dalai Lama-Sasakawa scholarship was initiated, covering nine states of India.
Youth Entrepreneurship Program
S-ILF initiated a separate entrepreneurship program for young persons from Leprosy colonies, to identify and develop small business enterprises. 13 youth were supported in the first batch after training on microenterprise development.
After School Learning Centre (ASLC)
S-ILF initiated its first among many new learning centres at Ram Avtar Leprosy colony, Indore. The non-formal learning centre also served as S-ILF’s physical presence in the field.
Corporate Sensitisation Program
With the help of CII, S-ILF initiated its corporate sensitisation program. A shop-floor workshop with workers of JCB was organised as a pilot project.
Youth Festivals
S-ILF organised it’s first Youth Festival where youth from leprosy colonies and students from various colleges came together to give a message of unity and breaking stigma. The three-day event was then reciprocated at state levels too.
One-year Scholarships
To cater to youth who do not wish to enrol into regular professional courses but also not want to do basic training. Short term courses help them securing good jobs.
Mapping Leprosy Colonies of India
S-ILF started the collection of data on all the Leprosy colonies of India. An earlier survey by the National Forum in 2005 stated 741 Leprosy colonies in 17 states and UTs.
Reaching out to the vulnerable
Due to Covid, the ground movement came to a halt and most of the leprosy colonies were hit hard and left with no ration. S-ILF took up the new challenge, forged new partnerships and reached to them within time. This gave birth to a new arm of S-ILF- The Humanitarian Aid department.
Decentralisation of S-ILF
With new Zone of MP and Maharashtra (the latter supported by Bajaj Auto Ltd.), S-ILF started the decentralisation process and divided its activities into five zones. The new focused approach brings about many positive changes in the field.
S-ILF Samvaad
Eliminating the distance between the leprosy colonies and S-ILF leadership, a direct dialogue platform is started. The interactive sessions bring the focus on the needs in leprosy colonies and S-ILF’s possible interventions to deal with them.
Mapping Leprosy Colonies
The physical verification of Leprosy colonies across India started. The initial survey by S-ILF in 2019 found 758 colonies, but not all were physically verified. Around 100 could only be contacted by phone at that time.
Children's Development Program
With a separate fund allocated for activities centred around small children in the colony, the Children Development Program started in various Leprosy colonies.