Overview
Child protection through holistic pediatric cancer support, education services, and disaster relief
Jana Rakshita is multi-faceted. Our flagship program is centered around support for pediatric cancer patients, and we have expanded into disaster relief and education initiatives for marginalized communities. Since our inception in 2004, we have been driven by the belief that acting swiftly and directly in times of crisis makes a critical difference. We respond immediately when disaster strikes. Following the unprecedented tsunami that devastated Tamil Nadu, and left over 230,000 dead, we supported 600 families across four villages, addressing both immediate and long-term relief needs. Considering the immense loss of infrastructure, food, and medical supplies, we focused on delivering targeted outcomes for short- and long-term rehabilitation within the first days of the crisis.
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In the field of education, we have supported more than 1200 students across twelve Adivasi and Dalit schools in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. We have provided cutting-edge medical aid and free healthcare to over 2,000 cancer patients from some of India’s most marginalized communities.
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Advancing child protection—through access to sustainable pediatric cancer care, education, water rights, sanitation, and hygiene—is central to our approach to defending human rights. By forming long-term partnerships with hospitals, local NGO's, and local educational facilities, we address infrastructural gaps caused by poverty and systemic inequality. Our interventions provide holistic care, offering critical support during life's most challenging periods.
Why is this work essential?
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More than 25% of India’s rural population and 13% of its urban population live in extreme poverty. According to a 2018 World Bank study, nearly 400 million people survive on less than $1.90 a day—an income that is insufficient to afford basic food or healthcare. While India’s healthcare system primarily relies on private hospitals, reducing barriers to access is more urgent than ever.
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For children, inadequate learning materials, poor sanitation facilities, and makeshift classrooms create significant obstacles to education and advancement. Only 59% of Adivasi and 66% of Dalit students achieve basic proficiency in mathematics or writing. Many of these students arrive at school too hungry, sick, or overburdened with household tasks to fully engage with lessons. These systemic inequities undermine active citizenship for future generations of Indians.
Our mission is to dismantle barriers through sustainable, goal-oriented actions that drive intergenerational progress and combat poverty, all while providing hope and support.
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With your support we can take our work even farther.
OUR MISSION
MISSION
To enable the best possible holistic medical care, including psychological and financial support as well as rehabilitation services to underprivileged cancer-affected children and adolescents. To enable cancer prevention and cure by spreading cancer awareness and through early detection, especially amongst the under-privileged and disadvantaged sections of our society.
VISION
To be a dedicated provider of quality holistic medical care including counseling and rehabilitation support to under-privileged cancer-affected children, adolescents and their families.
VALUES
We uphold: Dedication, Humility, Sincerity & Integrity in the way we provide our services so that all are treated equally with dignity. Empathy and Compassion so that we can work for those who need our services without regard to creed, colour, religion or language. Perseverance and Determination to say ‘Yes, we can!” to every deserving person.
Who We Are
Jana Rakshita is driven by a dedicated team of social workers, experienced volunteers, and advocates with a proven track record of addressing infrastructure gaps that hinder sustainable development within India's inadequate medical system. Our community-based child protection initiatives have consistently advanced the right to free healthcare, equitable education, water and sanitation, hygiene infrastructure, and communication for social development.
Meet the Team
Other Partnering Resources
