Cankids Home Away From Home (HAH) acts as a bridge between hospital and home and is designed to be a low cost model with minimum investment and running and maintenance costs. It integrates the issue and challenges of accommodation into treatment care and support systems at adjoining cancer centers. The HAH model involves parent and community participation, empowering the Parent Support Group to set up, manage and run the home and provide them with employment opportunities.
The PSG sets a low daily rate for the families to pay, and a waiver mechanism exists for families unable to pay. Families are provided with a kitchen kit, a room kit, and a school kit for the children. They are encouraged to prepare home-cooked meals for their children, but there are also celebration meals. Rations are provided raised through local donations. There are school activities in the HAH and multi-functional areas for entertainment, parent forums, celebrations and therapeutic activities.
CanKids currently runs 7 Home Away From Homes. Two in New Delhi, and one each in Trivandrum, Kolata, Chennai, Lucknow, Bangalore