About Us
A charitable organization born out of passion to serve the disadvantaged, SAHYATA is a women powered initiative committed to human empowerment. The genesis of Sahayata in
1962 came from a strong sense of collective to build a compassionate society that
participated in uplifting its weaker sections. The women of Sahayata used their agency to
become visionary instruments of change, raising and pooling together resources to support
the needy across grassroot, local, national and international level.
From distributing rations and aid to those effected during the Chinese aggression, to
sponsoring aid for the disabled, contributing donations to build hospital pediatric surgery
ward and conducting regular medical camps, Sahayata has supported countless causes,
including but not limited to, flood and drought aid, earthquake relief funds, tsunami relief
funds etc.
Recognizing the role of education in transforming the community, Sahayata took up the
responsibility of providing educational assistance to the children of lower socio-economic
sections of the society at the turn of the century. For the last 25 years, Sahayata has been
running centers that handhold these children in bridging the gaps between their
performance and the school curriculum.
Keenly aware of the role women can play as agents of change when empowered with the
right resources, Sahayata continues to initiate skill development programs to help women
from weaker socio-economic section of the society gain financial agency.
Donate Now!
Start Donating as little as Rs. 50 and changes someone life for the better. Support Sahayata in Mission to provide food and studies to school kids in Lucknow. Join the fight against hunger and malnutrition.
History
‘SAHAYATA’ was initially called ‘SAINIK HITARTH SANGH’ when it was founded in 1962 during the Chinese aggression period, initiated by Rani Ujjalla Kumari, who inspired the “Purdah Ladies” of Lucknow to come forward in aid of the Jawans for distribution of food, clothes, blankets and medicines.
It was later renamed as “TALUQDAR LADIES ASSOCIATION” when other royal families of
Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh joined the cause. The main objective of the association was to work for the upliftment of the poor and destitute, providing aid to the orphanages, leprosy homes and theblind. The association was active till the late seventies, thereafter dormant for a decade.
In the early 90’s when the economy was moving towards a new era, the association was
rechristened as ‘SAHAYTA’ when most of its original members decided to take the lead in
making a contribution back to the society in December 1991.
It gave a new lease of life to activities, providing welfare, medical aid to the poor, needy,
orphaned, destitute and physically/mentally challenged. Education also became a part of the curriculum for the association, providing tuition and study centers for the underprivileged in various places.
Sahayta, an all women association, has a beautiful heart and a noble soul, the members work to fill gaps and enriching lives they touch, working at camps, providing education or making contributions for a better cause.
An association running on a tight budget and sustaining itself on members contribution mostly; has over the years evolved into a charitable event organizer, social fetes and now open to contributions from good Samaritans, who see their work translate into smiles( donation excluded under Sec 80C of IT laws). We have over the years made considerable difference in the lives of many and continue to do so today.
It was in the year 1962 when the members of our NGO, got together and started knitting mufflers and socks for our soldiers during the Chinese war of ‘62.
What a turn of circumstances, we are there again, knitting away!
This year 2020 has yet again seen a turn of events and we are proud that members have stepped forward and contributed in whatever little way they could, the result as all have seen, is a bundle of warm colorful mufflers, which will keep some soldier warm. It also carries with it our prayer for our soldier’s safety.
Sahayata has always risen to the occasion and will do so in the future.
Total amount of mufflers from Sahayata – is 3454.
Details
EARLY YEARS
1992-2000
1. 1993 Fortnightly medical camps in Chowk
2. 1995, two more camps added, one at Rishi Ashram under Daliganj bridge, the other at Mankameshwar Temple. Each of these camps would cater to nearly 200 patients, comprising of mainly women and children from the nearby slums, under the supervision of 3 doctors.
3. INR 40000. Donated to KGMC for construction of ICU and sterile room in their Pediatric ward and INR 12000 donated separately for surgical instruments.
4. Donation of swings and playground equipment to a school for disabled children at Mohan road. SAHAYTA later adopted this school to better cater to their needs.
5. Bought and facilitated operations, crutches, calipers, artificial arms and legs for handicapped children at Drishti School for Vocational training centre.
6. 1992, distribution of food packets, clothes and commodities in curfew hit areas of Lucknow.
7. Maharashtra Governor’s Earthquake Relief Fund, donation of essential items.
8. 1994, donations for operation theatre at KGMC children’s ward.
9. Adopted a physically handicapped child.
10. Undertook expenses for gold and silver ornaments for the marriage of three girls from U.P. Council for Child Welfare Bal Griha.
11. ‘Avadh ke Ek Shaam’ at Lucknow Baradari, a fund raising cultural show to support various social activities undertaken by the association. A one of its kind show with Kum Kum Dhar, kathak dancer and a ghazal singer, followed by dinner.
12. A 3 year old’s major feet correction operation, medical expenses and post operation shoes, borne by the association.
13. Donation of silver ornaments and kitchen ware for the marriage of an orphan girl.
14. Donation of foot suction unit to the Rehabilitation and Artificial Limb Centre.
15. INR 20000 worth of essential items donated for flood effected areas in Sandila and Bansi district, not taking into account various activities undertaken by the members at their personal level.
16. 1998 December, Music Show organized with Sonu Nigam. This show for some time went on to be landmark for all other shows, the association made a profit of 3.5 lakhs. This amount was later used to further expand our scope of activities into various other segments.
17. Two Special Camps for disabled at Hardoi district, with distribution of equipment, tricycles, crutches, callipers, wheel chairs and hearing aids.
18. Clothes, Ration and other items were distributed to the wounded jawans from the Kargil war in the Command and Base hospitals.
19. An early initiative in vocational courses was started without the support of a Government programs to help women learn sewing at Pani Gaon, Indira Nagar.
20. Major essential items dispatched for the help of Orissa Cyclone victims.
21. Focus on betterment of handicapped with regular medical camps, contributions for
surgery and providing tricycles.
THE TRANSITION
2000-2010
1. Musical show with Falguni Pathak, though a loss making program, but we had our take away and learnings.
2. Donations towards drought hit villages in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and flooded area of
Siddharthnagar, U.P.
3. Adoption of Children suffering from cancer for full medical care and diet.
4. Special initiative by our members Smt. Jinu Singh and Smt. Sandhya Singh for sale of hand painted cards in India and USA. The collection from the sale was taken into account to push for other activities designed.
5. Successful charity movie show of ‘Ashoka’ to raise funds.
6. Primary Education Department showcased an adopted school of Sahayta, as a model school. The Govt. Primary School of Mahanagar was adopted by Sahayta. Building and bathrooms were renovated; two teachers were specially assigned to impart free tuition to children, thereby improving the overall score of the students and the school alike.
7. Gujarat Earthquake CM Relief fund 2002, considerable amount of donation was made.
8. 2002 also saw our first Charity Fete to raise funds for cancer stricken children admitted in Medical College.
9. Daily essential were provided for flood victims around Itaunja Village.
10. Cultural program designed and organized for participation of Chetna School and Asha
School. To further motivate and encourage the participants, the event culminated with a prize ceremony.
11. July 2004, tuition centre for slum children at Chetna school started, followed by a second one at Butler palace in December. To give the children a better environment, we focused towards extra-curricular activities during festival and National holidays. More than 50 children were benefitting at any given point of time at Butler palace, where another shift was started to accommodate all.
12. Employment generation and self-sustenance initiative for poor women, by Rani Sandhya Singh in the art of chikankari and embroidery. Handmade Handkerchiefs, Napkins, Table Cloths were put for sale to held raise funds.
13. INR 50000, donate to Times of India Foundatinon in aid of Tsunami victims.
14. December 2005, second fund raising fete was a success.
15. Holi Milan organized for Sahayta member and their families, which was very well accepted and there after became a norm every year.
16. Successfully held second Charity Movies show of ‘Umrao Jaan’ held in November 2006.
17. Dandiya night organized at Balrampur Gardens, courtesy Maharja Balrampur, resulting in profit for the association.
18. Third tuition centre at Naka Hindola at the residence of Rani Sandhya Singh opened.
19.INR 10000 donated towards operation of a boy in PGI.
20. Held workshops with HOPE(Health Oriented Program and Education) for conducting
awareness on Hepatitis B, hygiene, cleanliness and other Gastro related problems, under
guidance of Dr. GK Choudary, in various schools in and around Lucknow.
PROGRESS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS
2011-2017
1. April 2010, marks the first Kota Saree Exhibition cum sale at Habibullah Estate, this later became ayearly phenomenon and huge success.
2. Medical Camps at Bakshi Ka Talab and Maal in May 2010 and March 2011. A joint workshopfurther undertaken with HOPE team to spread awareness about Hepatitis and cleanliness.
3. September 2010, first painting exhibition of Ex PM Shri. VP Singh and 6 other artist held at Lalit Kala academy.
4. Kitchenware donated to National Women Council for wedding of 25 women in November
2010.
5. Seond Kota Saree exhibition cum sale held at Bhadri House in April 2011.
6. Intiative of ‘Ban Plastic Bags’ started way back in 2011, with the help of Prerna ( a junior wing of Rotary Club’s Inner Circle). Replacement of plastic bags with newspaper bags, made by slum women. The progam not only gave employment to these women, Sahayta also became one of the pioneers in education of harmful effects of plastic bags.
7. Number of donations were made for medical help and marriages, including donation to
UPCCW and teachers of tuition centre.
8. INR 10000 donated to Relied India Trust, Delhi for operation of a child suffering from Atrial Septal defect (ASD, hole in the heart).
9. Children of both tuition centres were given sweaters and introduced to Children’s Film
Festival at City Montessori School as a part of an excursion.
10. Sahayta along with UPCCW donated Kitchenware and essential clothing to the flood
affected areas of Badrinath.
11. INR 53000 donate to Prime Minister’s Relief fund for Kashmir Flood Victims, raised from a special charity movie show of “PK”.
12. INR 1,27,000 donate for earthquake victims in Nepal, through Khemka Foundation. Our members contributed majorly to reach this figure.
13. ‘Sumakha’ a Food and Music show organized in December 2015. This unique event
focused on lost recipes of Avadh, some contributed by our members, and a classical musical
performance by Pandit Chhannulal Mishra. The event earned a lot of praise and was a huge
success.
14. Construction of new toilet at Bal Bharthi School , funded by Sahayta.
15. Third tuition centre opened at Colvin Taluqdar College.
16. To bring awareness and fight global warming , a special Tree plantation drive was
undertaken by the members at Colvin Taluqdar School.
