Sahyog-Care for You is a non-profit organization actively engaged in the social sector for over two decades. Shekhar Mahajan, driven by his vision of bringing about a positive and meaningful change in society, conceived the idea of Sahyog Care for You in 2002.
Sahyog’s Origin
Shekhar Mahajan was deeply unsettled by the sight of a small, innocent child working at a tea stall. The child’s impoverished state, tattered clothes, and utter helplessness struck a chord within him. Overwhelmed by compassion, Shekhar resolved to take action and make a difference for this child and countless others who toiled tirelessly instead of attending school. He recognized that it was their time to flourish and experience the joys of childhood unburdened by their circumstances. With limited resources but an earnest desire to contribute to society, he gathered several such children and embarked on a journey of education and empowerment, teaching them valuable skills and nurturing their growth.
During his journey, he encountered individuals who connected deeply with his vision and shared a passionate aspiration to create a meaningful influence on society. Bound by their shared zeal, these empathetic beings extended their assistance in diverse ways, generously providing indispensable resources like stationery and furniture. Nurtured by the backing of like-minded souls and fortified by his unwavering determination, his brainchild, “Sahyog-Care for You,” was born with great pride.
Founder’s Vision and Dedication
This organization, borne out of Shekhar Mahajan’s ingenuity and commitment, has established itself as a prominent entity within the realms of social development and sustainability. Shekhar Mahajan, an MSW postgraduate, a lawyer by profession, a philanthropist at heart, and a social reformer by choice, possesses lofty aspirations, a strong demeanor, and a compassionate nature. Utilizing his education, experience, and social skills, he dedicated himself to creating Sahyog Care and overcame numerous challenges along the way. Together with the Sahyog team, he has devised and implemented various programs across India, reaching nine states and exemplifying the values of care, diligence, and empathy. Shekhar’s resilience and determination require no validation as he transformed challenges into opportunities through extensive research and provided simple yet strategic solutions to communities in need.
Guided by the conviction of spreading joy to everyone, Sahyog has consistently dedicated itself to making a positive impact, benefiting approximately 20,000-25,000 recipients annually. Operating across fifty-six centers, including twenty vocational training centers, Sahyog is committed to empowering individuals from all walks of life and nurturing their potential for a brighter future.
Our Mission
Sahyog is driven by the mission of fostering equal and integrated community development through the pillars of Mind, Education, Employment, and Economics. At its core, Sahyog aims to empower marginalized groups, including women, the poor, and the disabled, working towards the realization of the Gandhian principle of “Sarvodaya” or universal upliftment.
Sahyog employs a rights-based approach, placing people at the center of their initiatives and implementing grassroots, participatory methods. Their overarching goals include eradicating socioeconomic inequality, promoting holistic health, nutrition, and overall well-being, fostering self-reliance, enabling local self-governance, ensuring sustainable management of national resources, and advocating for the rights and needs of the people.
Through our vision and mission, we strive to create a society where every child is educated, women are empowered, child labor is eradicated, and youth are equipped with the skills and opportunities to build a better future for themselves and their communities. We firmly believe in Care and Concern for the Community.
Sahyog’s Significant Contributions to Social Progress
Sahyog Care for You is a dynamic organization that operates across diverse verticals, encompassing various aspects of societal well-being. The organization is actively involved in initiatives such as overall child development, child education, women empowerment, skill development for armed forces, as well as child rescue and rehabilitation.
Sahyog Care for You takes a comprehensive approach to address the diverse needs of children, promoting their overall growth and development. Our organization places a strong emphasis on child education, recognizing it as a fundamental right and a catalyst for progress. We offer remedial classes to underprivileged children, ensuring they have access to quality education.
Additionally, Sahyog Care operates vocational training centers that focus on stitching, tailoring, BPO, Retail Management, beauty culture, Basic and Advance computer training for women and youth. These centers aim to empower women by tapping into their immense potential, creating an environment where they can thrive and lead fulfilling lives. By equipping young individuals with varied skills, we empower them to be financially self-sufficient. We believe that these courses will benefit beneficiaries by enhancing their knowledge, abilities, and employability in the digital era.
Our organization also recognizes the importance of skill development for the armed forces, acknowledging their crucial role in maintaining peace and security. Sahyog Care conducts IT-oriented and skill development programs for beneficiaries such as armed forces personnel, veterans, war widows, and families and wards of martyrs from organizations like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Delhi Police, and BSF. These programs encompass computer training facilities, English speaking skills, life skills, cybercrime awareness, financial literacy, and personality development. The courses aim to make the beneficiaries technologically savvy and equip them with relevant IT skills. For families, these courses foster self-reliance, restore confidence, help secure suitable employment, and enable them to lead dignified lives.
Furthermore, Sahyog Care for You is deeply committed to rescuing and rehabilitating children in distressing situations. We tirelessly work to rescue children engaged in hazardous bonded labor and provide them with safe and healthy living conditions. Our team also supports their education, enabling them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
Empowering Communities
The organization focuses on community development mobilization, vocational training, adult literacy classes for women, remedial education classes for underprivileged children, and awareness programs on health and sanitation. Sahyog also actively promotes the formation of self-help groups, advocates menstrual hygiene, organizes plantation drives, implements sanitation and WASH projects, and installs water ATMs to ensure access to clean drinking water.
In summary, Sahyog Care for You is actively engaged in a range of verticals, each with the shared goal of creating a positive impact on society. From overall child development and education to women empowerment, skill development for armed forces, and child rescue and rehabilitation, their diverse initiatives reflect their unwavering commitment to holistic social progress.
A significant undertaking of Sahyog is its anti-child labor campaign, “Voice for Voiceless Victims.” To date, the organization has successfully rescued and rehabilitated 1,100 children, prioritizing their safety, hygiene, and education. Sahyog Care has earned recognition in the Limca Book of Records 2018 and India Book of Records 2019 for its remarkable contributions.
With their innovative approach and unwavering dedication, Sahyog Care has not only transformed communities but also captured the hearts of people. Their inspiring journey continues to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Challenges Faced
NGOs often encounter the obstacle of assisting marginalized individuals who belong to socially weaker segments of society. While these individuals are provided with the opportunity to receive education or acquire valuable skills at no cost, their ability to consistently participate in such programs becomes arduous due to their indispensable role as the primary earners for their families. This predicament poses a significant challenge for NGOs seeking to empower and uplift these disadvantaged individuals.
An Urge to the Community
As an NGO, our primary objective is to inspire individuals to engage in daily acts of kindness, encouraging them to actively participate in making a positive difference. We believe that by fostering a culture of small yet meaningful deeds, we can collectively create a profound and transformative impact on society.
We place special emphasis on the role of parents in shaping the values and attitudes of their children. We strongly advocate for parents to instill in their children from an early age the importance of contributing to society. By nurturing this understanding and cultivating a sense of social responsibility in the younger generation, we aim to create a lasting legacy of compassionate individuals who actively seek to improve the world around them.
Through our initiatives and programs, we strive to provide resources, guidance, and support to both individuals and families, equipping them with the tools needed to engage in acts of kindness and community service. By empowering individuals and promoting a collective sense of responsibility, we believe that we can create a more compassionate and inclusive society for everyone to thrive in.
MS, Lund University, Sweden
Nutrition plays an important role in human life. Eating habits are one of the factors that affect our health. There is often a misconception among people that nutritionists force a very restrictive diet, but that is not true. In fact, I don't ban any products, but I point out dietary mistakes and help change them by giving tips and new recipes that I've tried myself. I advise my patients not to resist change and to be purposeful. Only with willpower and determination can a good result be achieved in any area of life, including changing eating habits. When I don't work, I love to go climbing. On a Friday evening, you are most likely to find me on my couch, cuddling with my dog and watching some Netflix.
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