Mahiti took another initiative in 2009 and that is intervention regarding awareness creation among single male industrial migrant workers. Gujarat State AIDS Control Society, Ahmedabad had given a targeted interventions program on HIV – AIDS with single male migrants coming from other states in Changodar industrial area, Sarkhej Chokdi and Sanand Chokdi (Chokdi is a Gujarati colloquial word for cross roads) areas as an implementing support agency. The organization was given responsibility of identifying the class of people having high risk behavior from industrial estate. The organization did not have much experience in this work but we have taken up this work from a long term view point because Government of India and Government of Gujarat want to develop Bhal region as a Special Economic Zone and Special Investment Region. In such circumstances there may arise a need to carry out such work with workers coming to these SEZ area. Mahiti should be equipped to handle such work. Moreover, quite a good number of people from Bhal region come to work as industrial labor in Changodar area and Mahiti is concerned regarding the condition and if possible to improve their condition. With this view Mahiti got involved in this work.

During the study the organization realized that more than 5000 single male migrants coming from other states live in this area among which 65 % have high risk behavior. This study covered various aspects like profile of the area, socio economic profile, estimation of high risk behaviors and its vulnerability, classification of target group, sexual network, awareness regarding HIV – AIDS, need for number of condom depots and also strategy for work under this project.

Changodar to Sarkhej is industrial area having 500 small and big industrial units manufacturing steel, medicines, plastic, chemicals, paper, tiles, and other such products. This are has been declared as industrial zone. Along with manufacturing units’ large storage godown are also there in the estates. Single male migrant laborers from Bihar, Rajsthan, Orrissa, Hariyana, Uttar Pradesh, Zarkhand state come here to work. Quite a number patients suffering from health related problems like skin diseases, water borne diseases, sexual transmitted diseases, joint pains, kidney stone, and especially hydrocile were found during the survey. Besides this living conditions problems like water scarcity, sanitation problems, lack of education facilities for children of migrants living with their families, problem of having a ration card, identity card also were quite in abundance. Majority of make workers have migrated alone for work and many of them go for sexual relationship to sex workers. As they have no women in the house to look after them their residence clothes, lack of cleanliness. They usually do not get any living accommodation from their companies. Usually four to five males stay together in rented accommodation. As a part of the program medical camps, HIV testing camp, street plays for HIV / AIDS awareness raising, stake holders advocacy meetings are being organized along with condom demonstration programs.