SANCHETNA संचेसं तचे ना CELEBRATING FOUR DECADES OF TRANSFORMATION

Our Journey

1983

Sanchetana began its journey with a small clinic in one of the slum pockets of Ahmedabad. The clinic offered medicines to the poor at the price that did not pinch them. This was the decade that witnessed evolution of Community Health Program.

1983

1985

Sanchetana’s clinic by Dr. Lakdawala offered cure for both body and mind. Patients came to him with their tales of suffering - physical and mental. Women found the healing space where they can share their agony and pain. During this time Community Health Program evolved into a Development Program. The decade also initiated women empowering Income Generative Activities, Shakti Mahila Sangathan and Sakhi Credit Society and addressed youth issues and organized them under Milap Yuvak Sangathan.

1985

1990

The decade witnessed religious and caste conflicts at national level. Along with strengthening the existing programs, Sanchetana took into consideration this shift in the collective consciousness of the country. We initiated IFIE- Institute for Initiatives in Education and reached out to thousands of young girls and boys and initiated dialogues among them to explore ways to combat communalism.

1990

2000

This was the decade of building leadership and emergence of intensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Program by team Sanchetana. Sharp focus was there on Peaceful Coexistence in Urban slums. The end of the decade saw formation of a slum women’s organization – Sangharsh and Ekta Sangathan.

2000

2010

The decade has seen intensive efforts of Sanchetana to build, train and facilitate leaders from urban slums. Leaders have taken forward different initiatives of Sanchetana. Our interventions in organizing people, health, education, income generation, and environment have taken shape during this decade.

2010

2020

Our interventions

Community Health

Emotional Health

Environment

Community Centers

Organising community

Success Stories

“We must enjoy the present without over-thinking of the future”

“I felt that I had all the potential. All I needed was a push and a direction, and Sanchetana did that. I am happy that I am independent now and I have an identity. I am still looking forward to learning more from here.”

“Compost has immensely benefited me. I no longer have to buy fertilizers from outside.”

“Girls are not weak"

"Before Nonviolent Communication (NVC) the concept of relationships and their significance was foreign to me. It was something I took for granted."

“When I joined for robotics training, I was not confident enough to seek technology since I was not familiar with the same. But the fun and friendly atmosphere of the class helped me to learn easily. It increased my confidence too”.

“Every child in my place should be a part of the community school so that they can also gain knowledge as I gained”

"Neither we nor the school teacher ever teach the girls about the sexual and reproductive health topics discussed in the health club. That's why we appreciate the conversations in the health club."