Samraksha also worked with specific groups deeply affected by HIV, recognizing that their needs were often overlooked within mainstream responses.

For young widows, the challenges extended beyond the illness itself. Many faced social isolation, economic vulnerability, and stigma both as women and as widows of men who had died of HIV. Samraksha created safe spaces where they could share experiences, access counselling, rebuild confidence, and develop pathways toward economic and social stability.

For adolescents growing up in HIV-affected families, the struggles were equally profound. They often carried the burden of grief, anxiety about their own health, disrupted education, and responsibilities well beyond their age. Samraksha worked to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and opportunities that helped them cope with loss, nurture resilience, and rebuild hope for their future.

Through these efforts, Samraksha ensured that people most at risk of being silenced by stigma or hardship were not only supported, but also given the strength and skills to move forward with dignity.

Participants share their learning from the resilience building programme.