Children's helpline

Happy Maharashtra Day! To mark the celebration of our state we are pleased to announce the inauguration of our newest project, Mukti Vahini for child rights under the umbrella of our Udaan (anti-child marriage) project.

Celebrating Mukti Vahani launch

The special Mukti Vahini helpline combines technical competence with the social commitment of Snehalaya. Speaking at the inauguration, District Child Protection Officer, Vaibhav Deshmukh, shared his view that there is a need for such an independent and prompt help mechanism for the protection of children in today’s times. Congratulating Snehalaya he assured his support, saying: “Help can reach children at the right time only if the government, the system and social organizations work together. A service like ‘Mukti Vahini’ will complement the efforts of the government. Considering the changing needs and complex problems of the society, the need for such sensitive and prompt mechanisms is more evident.”

In 1990, Snehalaya firmly started the fight for child rights under the name ‘Mukti Vahini’. Raising its voice against child sexual exploitation, child marriage, child labour and homelessness, this movement crossed the district boundaries and reached the entire state and country.

It was on the basis of this work that Snehalaya was given the responsibility of implementing the national child helpline ‘1098’ in the district by the Childline India Foundation, and it successfully implemented it for 20 years. During this period, saving thousands of children, providing justice and re-entering society remained the core of Snehalaya’s work and earned us the accolade of the number one Childline service in the country.

Recent changes in the policies of the central government led to the centralisation of the Childline helpline. To ensure we maintain our support and provide a more direct service to children within our district, we have relaunched Mukti Vahini service as a complement to the national service with expertise in child marriage prevention. As local experts we aim to provide a dedicated and expert system focused on local needs, for prompt, dedicated and technically competent interventions.

Girish explains: “Mukti Vahini is the next step in taking our three decades of work to new heights. This service will work hand in hand with the government, without any alternative to any system. To reach any child in distress in a timely, sensitive and competent manner – that is our mission."

Snehalaya Trustee Rajiv Gujar added: "Every initiative of Snehalaya is a social movement. The direction that the Udaan project team has given to this service is definitely commendable. Mukti Vahini will bring new light to the lives of children in distress."

Mukti Vahini is a modern and sensitive format created from the experience of three decades of running our shelter home for children in need of care and protection, and it will not only be a helpline for children in distress, but will also be a hand of humanity and a beacon of light for a safe future.

Our latest project

Wherever a child is in distress, please contact:

Free helpline numbers 9011026495 and 9011098008.

All calls are confidential.

Features

24x7 independent toll free helpline

WhatsApp, SMS, mobile app and web portal

Trained 'Child Protection Rapid Action Team' (CPRRT)

Legal, mental, health and rehabilitation services

Regular follow-up system with GIS tracking and confidential database

This service will become a reliable support for children in distress by using a balance of human sensitivity and modern technology.

Expected impact

200+ children helped every month

50+ rescue campaigns

100+ awareness campaigns in schools and communities