Sahara is a 28 year old organization whose mission is to empower people facing difficult situations due to substance use and HIV/AIDS. Sahara has implemented a range of strategies to empower people, strengthen communities, to encourage safer behaviours and to aid in the reintegration of people into society. Sahara has 36 projects most of which address substance use and HIV/AIDS. Sahara is run almost entirely by former substance users and PLHA. Sahara runs services for men, women, children and the transgender community.