Association for Voluntary Action and Services- Avas

Empowering women and youth for collective action involves raising awareness, building capacity for decision-making, and engaging in participatory actions. AVAS emphasized involving women at all levels of community transformation processes, fostering their leadership, establishing local community-based organizations (CBOs), and facilitating effective communication between communities and governing systems. The success of AVAS' interventions relied on the evolution of strong leadership, the formation of CBOs, and the facilitation of collaboration between communities and governing bodies.

When AVAS initiated its work in the slums, residents faced severe health challenges due to substandard living conditions, including inadequate drainage, overcrowded housing, and poor air quality. AVAS prioritized raising awareness among families, particularly women and trained them to identify health issues requiring intervention. It established a network of community health workers, empowering them to serve as vital resources for their communities. Through collaborations with hospitals, AVAS and DRRT responded to medical emergencies, saving numerous lives. Through various initiatives such as training camps and health interventions, AVAS addressed a wide range of health concerns, including malnutrition, reproductive health, and adolescent counselling.