Ahmedabad-based NGO Samerth Charitable Trust has reported significant progress in water security, livelihood enhancement, disability inclusion and community-led development across Gujarat eand Chhattisgarh during 2025-26, marking what the organisation describes as “33 Years at the Edge of Possibility.”
According to the trust’s Annual Report 2025-26, the organisation expanded its engagement with gram panchayats, government departments and district administrations while strengthening programmes focused on water, natural resource management, education and social protection. Founder, Managing Trustee and Executive Director Gazala Paul said the organisation spent the year “deepening its reach, sharpening its skills, and weaving a gender lens into every initiative.”
In Kutch, Samerth advanced an integrated regional programme in the Vagad area that combines drinking water security, livelihoods and community ownership. The report notes that “many villages here are now moving towards becoming water-secure, their ancient water bodies coaxed back to life, flowing year-round through a landscape that was once defined by its thirst.”
The organisation renovated wells, desilted ponds and developed water storage infrastructure, benefiting 947 families and more than 24,800 cattle while increasing water availability by over 32,750 cubic metres. Additional support was leveraged through government convergence, mobilising more than ₹60 lakh for water conservation and irrigation initiatives.
In Ahmedabad, Samerth focused on disability inclusion and early childhood development through collaborations with the Department of Women and Child Development. The report states that spoke centres for People with Disabilities and childcare initiatives are “bringing structure and warmth to children who needed both.” It further notes that “parents have become partners, and child development has quietly become a shared responsibility between families, communities, and institutions.”
Across Chhattisgarh, Samerth reported reaching 388 villages, covering more than 6,328 households through water and natural resource management programmes, treating over 7,370 hectares of land and creating irrigation potential across 6,408 hectares. The organisation also facilitated over ₹10.26 crore in MGNREGA convergence, planted more than 12,790 saplings and generated over 109,000 person-days of employment.
The organisation’s social protection initiatives delivered access to a range of government entitlements, including Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, bank accounts, ration cards, health cards and pensions. Samerth said its integrated approach combined nutrition security, sustainable livelihoods, livestock support and government scheme linkages to improve economic resilience among vulnerable households.
During the year, Samerth also participated in the Agroecology Fund Asia Learning Exchange in Indonesia, expanding international learning networks across 20 countries. The organisation received the Gold Certification from GIVE and noted that colleague Afroz Baig was honoured with the Mahatma Award 2025 for Social Impact and Transformative Leadership.
Highlighting its commitment to sustainability, the trust installed 35 smart LED panels in government schools and added 139 kW of on-grid solar capacity in Chhattisgarh. It also collaborated on a white paper addressing disability-inclusive education in urban contexts.
Reflecting on the year’s achievements, the report concludes with a message of gratitude to partners, trustees and communities, stating: “To every trustee, partner, and community that made this year possible, this is your story. Samerth is honoured to tell it.”
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