SAMVEDANAA, launched in 2002, shelters children, aged 18 months to 18 years, who are living with HIV/AIDS and offers them institution based care and support. Most of these children had been neglected, shunned and ostracized by their own families due to the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS. The Home is situated in Mangalore town 350 kms west of Bangalore
The facilities provided at the home include:
• Medical treatment for opportunistic infections
• Anti Retroviral Therapy
• Counseling
• Education
• Nutrition
• Clothing
• Shelter
• Emotional support
• Palliative care.
Currently the home provides care and support to 59 children.

The care of children is very personalized as adequate staff are at the service of the children. The boys and girls live in separate buildings and have separate staff each centre. A vehicle with a driver is on the stand by so that in any emergencies the children can be shifted to the hospitals without any delay.

The children at centre attend the government school in the neighborhood. Though there was some reluctance from the school authorities to admit the children to the school in the initial stages the support we receive in the school is excellent. The children are also doing well with their studies and also participate in all extra curricular activities.

All children at the centre are tested for CD 4 count and those who need supportive medication are put under Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART). The drugs are collected from the district hospital for those children who are under ART on a designated date and the nurses at the centre ensure that the drug is administered daily. This drug helps in containing further damage of the immune system and helps children to live a longer life.