How We Started - Our History

Amcha Ghar is a NGO that provides a

residential home for orphaned and semi-
orphaned girls from the streets of Mumbai. In
the 1990s, Agatha Susheela Dias and Anthony
Dias were worked as a social worker in the
streets of Mumbai. In 1995, they rescued a
sexually exploited girl from the Mumbai
Street, only to discover that no institutions
would take her because she was not an orphan.
They realized that no home catered to semi-
orphan girl child or to those living in
vulnerable situations. The girls were denied
admission in homes if they had a single parent,
despite the fact that the single parent often
worked all day, leaving the girl to fend for
herself or placing her in the care of sexually,
physically or emotionally abusive relatives.
After witnessing such helplessness, Mr. and
Mrs. Dias were inspired to form a unique
organization that would serve those living in
such situations.
On April 14, 1996 in Uttan village at
Bhayander, a committed team of social
workers, attorneys, doctors, and well wishers
joined Mr. and Mrs. Dias to give birth to
Amcha Ghar. Starting off with providing a
home to three girls, It has grown to a place
that is now home to 25 girls and still growing.
Since many years It also offers education to
roughly 500 students in the Amcha Ghar
School. They rehabilitated many girls for
higher studies, working and their marriage.
Amcha Ghar focuses on early intervention,
rescuing and rehabilitating young girls from
the streets. When possible, Amcha Ghar also
provides counseling and economic guidance to
girls parents or relatives, with the ultimate
aim of stabilizing the family environment and
improving economic status so girls can be re-
united with their families.
An identity of self-worth and acceptance is
instilled in each child through the healthy
family environment at the Amcha Ghar Home.
Amcha Ghar now encompasses not only a
Residential Home in the village of Uttan, but
also an Extension Home for older residents
who are working and pursuing higher studies
in Bhayander. Amcha Ghar School provides
English Medium formal education for younger
beneficiaries as well as children of local fisher
folk families. The demeanor and discipline of
Amcha Ghar girls have earned them a
respected reputation in both Uttan and
Mumbai. Amcha Ghar strives to produce self-
sufficient, empowered young women who can
succeed in todays fast-paced and competitive
world through settling them back to main
stream of society.