Established in 1944 by the Conrad Hilton Foundation in America, the annualprize is the world's largest humanitarian award. It seeks to honour avolunteer, charitable or non-governmental organisation that has made anextraordinary contribution towards alleviating human suffering. It awardsone of the largest monetary prizes in any category. Previous recipientsinclude the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), Medicins SansFrontiers, the International Rescue Committee and Operation Smile. Thewinner is judged by an independent jury, and is announced in the fall.

MSWC runs two full-fledged residential institutions, Bapnu Ghar and AshaSadan. On February 10, it inaugurated the Homi Taleyarkhan Training Centrein Mumbai. The beneficiaries of this project will be the inmates of AshaSadan. The MSWC, which has 14 projects on hand, plans to start severalschemes for destitute girls and senior citizens later this year.

A spokesperson for the council says that the girl child is particularlyvulnerable to exploitation in India. It is well known that girls from thelower strata of society often fall prey to the nefarious designs ofunscrupulous people who lure them to the city with promises of marriage orjobs.

Such girls aged between 14 and 18 find shelter at Asha Sadan. They areeither remanded or committed to custody by the Juvenile Welfare Board.Police cases are also brought here. The caretakers try to reinstate thegirls' self-esteem by giving them value-based training so that they canrestart their lives afresh, with confidence and determination.

Asha Sadan runs an Adoption Group which gives children into the care ofsuitable families within and outside the country. A Foster Care Group helpschildren deprived of a family environment by placing them with substitutefamilies so that they may grow up in an atmosphere of love and security.MSWC's Savera School for Special Children gives hope to children with mentaldisabilities by providing them basic educational and occupational skills.

Special therapeutic classes are conducted where academic studies andrecreational activities are undertaken. Asha Sadan runs a child guidanceclinic for scholastic and behavioural problems. In addition, the councilconducts regular health drives, runs a day care centre for elderly people, anight shelter for girls, and conducts adult literacy classes.

Recently, the MSWC introduced vocational courses at Asha Sadan so that theinmates are provided an occupation for life. They are allowed to choosecourses in computer education, beauty treatment, cooking and catering,embroidery, sewing and typing. Functional literacy and formal education isbeing provided as the first step towards rehabilitation. Yoga and musiclessons are proposed to be conducted as extra-curricular activities.

The council will also help the girls secure jobs after their training iscomplete. Beauticians will secure placement either as freelancers or withreputed salons, while sewing machines will be provided to some inmates. MSWCwill receive and market orders for embroidery jobs.

Of course, members admit that running such an organisation is no easy job,for circumstances have landed most inmates with physical or psychologicalproblems which sometimes makes them difficult to deal with. Rehabilitationis the main aim of the council, either by getting the girls to reconciletheir differences with their families or by getting them married. Of course,the girls are always able to exercise the option of pursuing a career andliving life on their own terms.

The MSWC received the National Award in 1996 for the best run child welfareassociation, and the Ahilyadevi Holkar State Award two years ago. May be ahat-trick is in store.