NGO charts a year of transformative impact, empowers 200,000 in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh

By A Representative 

The Samerth Charitable Trust, a non-profit organization with more than three decades of service, has released its Annual Report for 2024–2025, outlining a year of strategic growth and deepened community impact. Guided by a Results-Based Management framework, the organization expanded its reach in education, water conservation, natural resource management, and livelihood enhancement, transforming lives across Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.

The year marked a shift from a project-based to a programmatic approach, with each geographical area developing its own Theory of Change to sharpen strategy and align efforts. This transition strengthened planning, monitoring, and outcome measurement while gaining national recognition through inclusion in the CSR Good Book. Samerth’s emphasis on participatory, sustainable development continued to enhance its reputation as a catalyst for equitable change.

Education remained a central focus, bridging learning gaps and fostering inclusion for marginalized children, including those affected by migration and disability. In Ahmedabad, the Trust reached over 9,600 children through 13 community education centers and seven digital libraries across Juhapura, Fatehwadi, Sarkhej, Vejalpur, and Lambha, as well as seven villages in Sanand and Daskoi blocks. Collaboration with 22 Anganwadis strengthened early learning and school readiness. The Samerth Talim Centre supported 564 children with special needs through physiotherapy, speech therapy, sensory therapy, and animal-assisted interventions, helping them gain confidence, independence, and social inclusion. 

In Chhattisgarh, the Learning and Migration Program (LAMP) ensured continuity of learning for children from seasonal migrant families. Across five districts, 85 percent of students achieved grade-level literacy and numeracy, while 79 percent of preschoolers demonstrated school readiness. Among the Baiga tribal communities, the program rekindled interest in education among girls who had previously dropped out, highlighting the success of community engagement in reducing educational exclusion.

Water security and eco-restoration remained another cornerstone of Samerth’s work. In Kutch, the organization constructed 19 water storage tanks, renovated seven wells, and desilted three ponds, benefiting 1,684 families. In Nakhatrana block, 14 water-harvesting structures enabled irrigation for over 1,000 acres and provided drinking water for more than 12,000 livestock. Drinking Water Management Groups were established to promote local governance and equitable resource use. 

In Chhattisgarh’s Kabirdham district, the High Impact Mega Watershed Programme treated 88,000 hectares of land, halved surface runoff, and brought 44,000 hectares under effective irrigation. The interventions doubled cropping intensity and raised household incomes by up to 40 percent among deprived families. Local cadre training in water management, climate-resilient farming, and gender-inclusive governance ensured long-term sustainability.

Livelihood and women-led development also advanced substantially. The SANGAM initiative connected 12,688 families to entitlements and technical support, leveraging ₹24.99 crore in public funds and generating ₹9.89 crore in income. Its next phase aims to reach 14,300 families, including 7,532 Baiga households, emphasizing gender mainstreaming, digital literacy, and governance. 

Women emerged as pivotal agents of change—managing seed banks, leading producer groups, and running nurseries. Across the Mega Watershed Programme, 278 women mates were trained and 214 producer groups formed. Convergence with MNREGA schemes mobilized ₹16.7 crore for natural resource management and rural infrastructure, ensuring that wages reached women directly through bank transfers.

Samerth’s holistic model also extended to water and livelihood programs in Kutch, Rapar, and Bhachau, where integrated initiatives combined infrastructure development with entitlement facilitation. Interventions such as pasture restoration, groundwater recharge, and agroforestry improved soil productivity and livestock access to water. In Kabirdham, agroforestry, bamboo cultivation, and millet revival under the Central Highland Restoration Programme restored degraded landscapes while engaging 943 Baiga families. The model created ecological, social, and financial returns, including ₹1.52 crore in mobilized funds and 31,926 person-days of employment.

In Bemetara district, the HDFC-supported Holistic Rural Development Project benefited 2,064 households through livelihood, education, and health interventions. The project trained 64 youth in vocational skills, established 125 women-led enterprises, created smart classrooms in five schools, and promoted chemical-free farming on 102 acres.

Financially, the Trust reported total receipts of ₹11.65 crore in grants and donations, maintaining rigorous transparency with independent audits and compliance under the Credibility Alliance. Its staff of 155 includes a high representation from marginalized communities, reflecting its commitment to equity and inclusion.

As it looks ahead, Samerth Charitable Trust plans to deepen integration of gender and governance across all programs while expanding initiatives in water security, eco-restoration, and inclusive education. Its mission remains steadfast—to build resilience, ignite hope, and empower marginalized communities to lead a just and sustainable future.

Registered in 1992, Samerth Charitable Trust works toward a humane, equitable, and sustainable society by strengthening community capacities, partnering with government programs, and advancing gender-balanced development through collective, participatory action.