For nearly twenty years, MAP has been supporting the Indian organization Masstrust in its work to assist children, adolescents, and families affected by HIV/AIDS in the rural region of Dindigul, in southern India. This long-term partnership aims to provide medical care, psychosocial support, and conditions conducive to continuing education for young people who often face multiple forms of vulnerability.

A field mission conducted from March 3 to 15, 2025, by MAP President Donatella Campioni and Program Coordinator Nicolas Ryter provided an opportunity to meet with some thirty children and young beneficiaries, as well as their families. These visits are essential for assessing the young people’s health, monitoring their educational progress, and identifying priority needs for the coming months.

In the remote villages of Dindigul, the stigma surrounding HIV remains a daily reality. A diagnosis still too often leads to social rejection, isolation, and difficulties in accessing educational and professional opportunities. In this context, the Masstrust team—composed of five community health workers—operates with the utmost discretion to protect the privacy of those they serve and maintain a climate of trust with families.

The follow-up visits revealed encouraging progress for several young people, including improved immune markers and good adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Some young scholarship recipients have completed their studies and are now independent, actively supporting their families. This is particularly true of Dhilip, 21, who started his own business and was able to finish building a house for his family, and Maria Darwin, 25, who, after three years of saving and hard work, built a house for her mother and brother.

Despite often precarious economic and social conditions, the majority of the young people we support continue their education, sometimes with very promising results. However, illness, the loss of a parent, or financial insecurity can jeopardize their progress. The program thus makes a tangible contribution to their success by funding academic support, school supplies, and, in some cases, essential food assistance.

This mission also provided an opportunity to strengthen ties with the local team, whose dedication is truly remarkable. Their work involves traveling long distances between nearly a hundred villages, providing support in complex family situations, and addressing a wide range of needs. Their in-depth knowledge of the local area and their close ties to the communities ensure that their efforts are targeted, effective, and deeply compassionate.

Today, the program supports 152 families. Significant challenges remain, however: strengthening psychosocial support, expanding nutritional assistance, developing vocational training for young people nearing the end of their schooling, and continuing awareness-raising efforts to reduce HIV-related stigma. Thanks to the ongoing support of MAP and its donors, these initiatives enable many young people to build their future with greater security, confidence, and prospects.