About Us

ORIGIN

Dr Ashok Rau and Late Mr. Karl Sequeira founded Freedom Foundation in 1992. With a dream and little or no finances, the two of them set out on a path of establishing a de-addiction center in Bangalore. Their first patient was an Italian. Slowly, word spread around and the numbers grew. In 1995, unable to accommodate the increasing flow of patients from all over India, they shifted to a chicken farm. Karl and Ashok lived on the premises and did everything themselves – from cutting grass and doing masonry for the sheds to cooking and looking after patients. This made a big difference. And the world started to take notice.

Dr. Ashok. K. Rau

Dr. Ashok. K. Rau, one of the most visible and compassionate faces of India’s campaign against HIV/AIDS, is the founder of the Freedom Foundation trust. A highly resourceful and experienced psychotherapist, Dr. Rau is a distinguished expert and international consultant on care support for PLWHAs. He has served in various capacities at all levels- state/ national and international levels. He has contributed immensely in terms of developing the national response to HIV/AIDS.

CONTRIBUTION TO HIV/AIDS CARE

His approach is marked by concern for humanity and the recognition of the rights of deprived communities and individuals.

Involves positive people in the planning and decision making process and campaigns for protective and instrumental laws that will influence government policies.

Contributes to the literature, research and discussion on HIV/AIDS and disseminates the lessons learnt at the Foundation.

Involved in the training of caregivers, NGOs, CBOs and strives to build the capacity of other organizations.

Spreads awareness by engaging with community leaders at district and village panchayat levels, spiritual leaders and media personnel.

His creation and de-stigmatisation initiates are widely appreciated.

AWARDS

ASHOKA Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurship

Senior Research Fellow in the Universities Health Inequalities Program (Duke University – USA)

Honorary doctorate from The Terry Sanford Institute of Public Health (Duke University – USA)

First Commonwealth Award for Action on HIV/AIDS for its Outstanding Work in Comprehensive Care

KARL SEQUEIRA

Karl Sequeira founded Freedom Foundation along with Ashok Rau. An experienced addiction therapist, Karl was known for his compassionate approach towards all seeking help at the Foundation’s doors. He was instrumental in launching the Foundation’s policy to provide all HIV positive children with antiretroviral medication free of cost. It was in January 2004 that Karl proceeded on a vacation to France along with his family and little did we all know that he would never return. As a token of remembrance the HIV care center at Hyderabad was renamed in his memory and the kids till date at the Hyderabad home fondly remember him as a father figure.

MISSION STATEMENT:

To pioneer affordable treatment and rehabilitation that make a difference in the lives of those affected by alcohol/drug addictions and those living with HIV/AIDS and also reduce stigma associated with these conditions.

MISSION

Freedom Foundation will enhance access to quality health care and treatment for people living with alcohol/drug abuse and/or HIV/AIDS through a commitment to increasing awareness, treatment, care, support, advocacy, expanded networking and create a platform for best practice and cross learning.

OUR ETHOS

To Think | To Contemplate | To Do Something Constructive About Oneself
To Change | To Live Life Positively