Kallol Ghosh, Impact Entrepreneur, Founder, and Director of Organization for Friends Energies and Resources (OFFER)—a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children. OFFER provides medical treatment, education, and skills training to help children build sustainable futures. One of OFFER’s flagship initiatives, Anandaghar, established in Kolkata eighteen years
ago, is a pioneering palliative care program exclusively for Children Living with HIV/AIDS (CLHA). All staff members at Café Positive are residents of Anandaghar. According to the Juvenile Justice Act, children above 18 years of age cannot remain in institutional care. To ensure livelihood opportunities for these young adults, Café Positive was established on 14 July 2018 in a small 10x10 ft. garage at Jodhpur Park, Kolkata. From its inception, Café Positive has faced and overcome societal prejudice. Initially, the idea of a café run by HIV-positive individuals was met with resistance and stigma. However, through resilience and persistence, Café Positive has gradually broken barriers and built trust. Today, it continues to serve as a space of acceptance, where the community comes together without boundaries over a cup of coffee. The café has since relocated to its current address at P69, Lake Road, Kolkata – 700029. Our mission is to challenge myths and misconceptions about HIV, while empowering affected individuals through social and economic inclusion. Café Positive aspires to become a hub for advocacy, awareness, and livelihood support for this marginalised community. Looking ahead, we are actively collaborating with Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and engaging with Positive People Network groups to expand our team and extend opportunities to more individuals. Café Positive stands as a symbol of courage, resilience, and change—proving that HIV is not a barrier but a myth to be dispelled.
