Gram Vikas Trust

Its recent program started in January 2021 in partnership with Nutrition International aiming to impact more than 10, 00,000 beneficiaries in 33 districts of Gujarat. The impact of its past and ongoing programmes can be described in terms of improved health and nutrition conditions of more than 100,000 community members, school children’s improved education, empowerment of girls and women, increased incomes of young women, and enhancement in the overall living conditions of the marginalized communities, as described below. Improved health conditions of the communities: Thousands of socio-economically marginalized community members have been enjoying improved nutrition, health and hygiene through strengthening Anganwadi Centers (AWCs), collaboration with the health department and construction of hundreds of sanitation units constructed by GVT by mobilizing financial resources from various donors. GVT, as a mother NGO in the district, is a partner with the Government health department, resulting in improved health services for the communities, and better health conditions for the children going to AWCs and schools, pregnant women and elderly people. One of the learnings from the school attendance programme was that the children were becoming sick, and not able to attend schools regularly. Improved health conditions of the children have been an example of a significant impact of improved school education. School children’s improved education: More than 10,000 girls and boys (younger and adolescent) have benefitted so far since 2001 through GVT’s education programme. In particular, the girls and boys in primary schools (Grades 1 to 7) have improved learning and confidence, for example, they can read fluently, perform Maths functions correctly, and write and present their work confidently in parent gatherings during the school functions. The adolescent girls, through bicycles given to them to reach remote schools, could study in and pass 10th Grade and many continued their undergraduate studies. Improved attendance, the first challenge addressed, actually contributed greatly to improved education. The COAP initiative (Community Owned Attendance Programme) has ensured almost 100 percent attendance of school going children by addressing many challenges. In one interesting case, the COAP member came to know that a boy in primary school did not come to school because his mother went away to her maternal village due to a conflict with her husband. The COAP members facilitated the family to resolve the conflict, resulting in the mother coming back to the village, and the boy resuming his attendance at school. There are many such interesting examples demonstrated by GVT. Empowerment of girls and women: Providing bicycles to more than 2,800 adolescent girls to reach remote schools not only provided them with continued education opportunities but also empowered them through increased confidence. GVT promoted women’s Self-help Groups (SHGs), which provided a platform for the women to come together, exchange ideas, and take up collective income generation activities, ultimately resulting in their socio - economic and political empowerment. Increased incomes of young women: GVT identifies young women with a drive for learning new skills and earning income to be self-reliant. More than 1,200 trained young women are earning incomes through small businesses such as basic computer work, beauty parlour, tailoring and handicraft. Their incomes contribute to their families' incomes, which indirectly contribute to school-going children’s education in terms of expenses for notebooks and stationery items. Enhancement in the overall living condition of the marginalized communities: Overall impact as a combination of all the above broad impact indicators suggests that more than 100,000 community members living in more than 1,000 villages have been enjoying a better quality of life through GVT’s integrated programme interventions.

1. Nutrition International Canada
2. Give Foundation USA/India
3. Aarti Industries Ltd.
4. LSP Foundation USA
5. Asian Paints Ltd.

Gram Vikas Trust believes that we can address equity gaps by developing more bespoke, equitable, and effective over all development main focus on education models that provide holistic support for children. Our theory of change rests on funding organizations that are advancing one major shifts in service of this goal:
- Shifting from "one-size-fits-all" to "child-centric" learning models

Gram Vikas Trust must also meet three selection criteria that ensure their work will be effective in creating long-lasting change for those who need it most:
- Commitment to the underserved
- Evidence-based approach
- Systemic approach to change

Our ‘Theory of Change’ is supported heavily by how our organization is managed. As a lateral organization, we believe in individuals becoming empowered and aligned with our organizational goals as a result of their own objective selfishness.

By Reach To Teach, UK -
GVT and Reach to Teach (RTT) have been partnering to implement projects for improving learning outcomes of children of government primary schools in Bharuch district for about five years. Combining GVT’s deep community connect and RTT’s expertise in improving teaching and learning, we’ve managed to touch the lives of thousands of children and bring about sustained improvements in government primary schools in Vagra and Jhagadiya blocks. GVT is known for its collaborative relationship with the district education department. We’ve found GVT to be flexible and receptive to suggestions for improving its internal systems and processes to meet professional standards. I would say the biggest strength of GVT is its strong and committed team built over the last five years under the passionate leadership of its founder, Ramesh Kasondra. GVT maintains a very positive work culture where there’s space for everyone to participate and engage in open conversations.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs Govt of India

Ministry of women and child development Government of India.