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Programs

S.A.F.E School Program

This program sensitises teachers, supports parents, empowers students and conducts a physical audit of the school and its one-kilometre radius to check if it is S.A.F.E. (Substance Abuse Free Environment).

Student Empowerment Program

This awareness education program enlightens students on the brain-science of addiction, the realities of de-addiction and includes motivational sessions which help them understand their unique inherent strengths, thus empowering them to realise their true potential and make responsible choices.

Teacher Sensitisation Program

We begin with sensitising teachers about the technology invasion, information overload and peer pressure that children have to deal with today. We then equip teachers with skills and knowledge to broach and discuss the topic of substance abuse among students. Teachers are trained to identify high risk-behaviour in children, intervene and if required, recommend appropriate therapy/ professional help.

Positive Parenting Program

This program helps parents to create a safe and nurturing environment for children at home. Most importantly, the program empowers parents to understand and deal with common behavioural and developmental issues in children.

Community Intervention

This program features storytelling by prominent writers, artists and musicians. Held once a month in school compounds of high-risk locations in Kochi, this offers talented children a captive audience and encourages alternate pursuits like reading, writing, painting, performing arts, theatre etc.

Alternative Pursuits Program

We have successfully demonstrated that alternative pursuits can give a better high than drugs can. We launched the annual Venda Football Tournament to prove this point – and already two boys from Kochi have gone on to represent India and win international tournaments.

Vocational Training /Skill Development Program

We facilitate employment opportunities for teens / young adults who are drop-outs or just at the plus-two level through our network of progressive organizations. We work with vocational training institutes to impart industry-specific skills they require including language and communication.

Summer Camps

Summer vacations are when children and young adults become extremely susceptible to substance abuse. To prevent this, we conduct summer camps that offer football coaching for boys and girls, workshops on farming, fishing, pottery, art, yoga, music, dance and theatre.

S . A . F. E . Forum

Project VENDA’s S.A.F.E. (Substance Abuse Free Environment) is an annual Forum that influences policy change. This brings together stakeholders in the field of education, health, policy, media, sports and arts from around the world to identify and share holistic approaches that showcase solutions to ensure a safe environment for children through best practices.

Rehabilitation Program

We help identify children affected by substance abuse and walk them back to normal life through systematic counselling, psychotherapy and if required, medical attention. We have a team of counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists who offer counselling for various addictions – drugs, alcohol, tobacco, pornography, video games, television, food etc. If you are a parent who wants to discuss tell-tale signs of addiction or if you need specific help, reach out to us.

Influencing Policy Change

A member of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) and the Global Ethics Consortium, we work with the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crimes (UNODC) and Drug Policy Futures to ensure that India gets the right attention, and that region-specific recommendations are made at the right time.

What Can You Do?

You can make a donation, contribute your time and expertise, or you can become a volunteer or an intern. The way the world is going ahead with the legalisation of so-called soft drugs, this will be a tough battle – but one that needs be fought for the sake of our children.