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"After completing my higher-secondary education, I found myself at a crossroads. I was worried that I wouldn't find a job as many jobs ask for routine blood tests. Once they find out someone is HIV-positive, there is usually no hope left. But Café Positive gave wings to my dreams of being independent and employed..."- A youngster currently working at the café.
In a small, 740 sq ft garage space in Ballygunge, Kolkata, exists a quaint café where the ambience is quite ‘positive’. It is aptly named ‘Café Positive’ – not only because of the peppy and relaxed atmosphere, but also because it is run by earnest HIV-positive young adults who are breaking the stigma associated with their identities.
Café Positive is Asia’s first coffee shop run by a team of HIV-positive people, which includes both men and women just over 18 years old. Currently, 11 youngsters work at the café, earning up to INR 15,000 per month in addition to getting free accommodation, lunch, snacks, and transportation. These young people are, however, not strangers…they all come from the same ‘home’ – Anandaghar, an orphanage that exclusively takes in and cares for abandoned HIV-positive children.
“I had been running a home for mentally challenged children since 1998. While dealing with a child abandoned by his extended family because he was HIV-positive, I came to understand the plight of these innocent children who contracted the virus for no fault of their own, and yet had to suffer the consequences more harshly than adults. Therefore, I established Anandaghar exclusively for them in 2000,” says Kallol Ghosh, child rights activist, adding. “Society has wrong beliefs and understanding of this disease. People think HIV happens to only those who have had sex immorally and without protection. This is not true.”
From getting rejected for adoption to being denied admission in schools, HIV-positive children housed at Anandaghar have faced many life struggles. They have been judged, ostracized and treated as outliers. With many of their parents passing away due to AIDS, Kallol Ghosh had to step up and be the father figure they deserved. He has been taking care of all the 76 teenagers who stay at Anandagarh now, catering to their needs and helping them become well-rounded individuals.
However, government mandates only allow children to stay at an orphanage until they are 18 years old. This posed a difficult problem for the young adults at Anandaghar who suddenly found themselves ascribed the status of ‘adult’, but without the social acceptance that ‘normal’ adults get.
“Even if they are educated and skilled, nobody is really willing to hire them once they learn about their HIV-positive status. This is why I started Café Positive. It aims to spread awareness, bust myths, superstitions and generate employment for HIV-positive people.”- Kallol Ghosh.
What started with a team of 7 young adults has now grown to a crew of 11 who do it all – from brewing coffee to making snacks, serving patrons while also contributing to the management and upkeep of the café.
“If people drink and eat food prepared by HIV-positive workers, it will help them understand that they are just like normal people. Although we faced a few hassles in the beginning – not getting a space to rent, initial hesitation shown by guests to visit, pandemic-induced shut down etc., we have successfully carved a name for ourselves in Bengali society. People love our coffee and cha (tea). We get at least 40 visitors in a day,” remarks Kallol.
Besides coffee, the menu also includes a range of muffins, cookies, and sandwiches, which are baked by the skilled workers. The entire team has also undergone a three-month certification course in business management training, which is an added advantage. With plans to set up two new cafés in Eastern India underway, 21 young adults are currently undergoing training to join them. However, Kallol Ghosh is finding it difficult to source enough funds for this dream project which has helped so many HIV-positive youngsters find acceptance and employment.
“We will need INR 50 lakhs to put this plan in motion. There are many other teens in Anandagarh who are hoping to be a part of Café Positive soon. They have seen their peers get employed and live happy, independent lives and want the same for themselves. How do I tell them that I do not have enough money to make their dreams come true? Please help these kids…they can have a bright future if you decide to support them.” - Kallol Ghosh.
Charity No : 319201431163With your support, Café Positive can grow in leaps and bounds, providing employment to many more HIV-positive young adults. Click here to contribute.
