Community Development Project
The year 2024 was both challenging and exciting. As the new financial year began in April 2024, we found ourselves with meagre funding and almost no reserves. This compelled us to pause, reflect, and re-strategize our operations. Several team meetings—often accompanied by emotional exchanges—continued for nearly a month. We even offered to help place team members in other organizations so that no one would feel insecure about their livelihood. However, in a moment of collective strength and trust, the entire team chose to stay together and face the challenges as one. Truly, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Gradually, opportunities—both big and small—began to emerge. One such opportunity was a Summer Camp conducted at the Rotary Club, Sector 16, Chandigarh, from 3rd to 8th June 2024. Through this camp, we were able to take our skills training to children from across the city. A good number of children enrolled for the workshop, and several continued their learning journey at our Centre.
Amid these turbulent times, we celebrated six years of our work and togetherness on 7th July 2024. This celebration became a source of reassurance and renewed strength. Education, knowledge, and skills took on a deeper meaning—it was time to truly apply everything we had learned so far in service of the community.
A major turning point came with our meeting with the wonderful team at Apotex, Bangalore, a multinational company that chose to support us through their CSR initiatives. Their decision to invest in children’s education, health, and nutrition gave us a significant boost. With their generous support, we were able to conduct regular medical check-ups, provide new clothes for the children, purchase furniture, learning materials, and other resources. Most importantly, their extended support enabled us to procure laptops for the children, taking our literacy initiatives to an entirely new level. We remain deeply grateful to Apotex for their trust and encouragement.
India’s 78th Independence Day was celebrated with full honour and pride despite heavy rains. The flag hoisting was followed by an indoor program that included patriotic songs and an energetic Malwai Bhangra performance by the girls of the Centre. Each woman of the foundation also shared her reflections on independence—both personal and national—making the celebration deeply meaningful.
We participated in two exhibitions—at Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh, on 24th and 25th August 2024, and at Taj Hotel, Chandigarh, on 7th and 8th September 2024. The handmade products created by the women were highly appreciated by visitors, and both purchases and customized orders proved to be a great source of encouragement.
Diwali brought with it brightness and joy. Rangoli making, lighting diyas, sharing sweets, dancing, and singing filled the atmosphere with hope and happiness for children and community members alike.
Girl Power Talk, Mohali, graciously covered our community work and helped amplify our efforts through their network and social media platforms. Led by a young woman entrepreneur, the team spent meaningful time at the foundation and helped spread awareness about our initiatives.
With continued support from Apotex, Bangalore, children underwent comprehensive medical check-ups, enabling us to closely monitor their health and well-being.
On 21st December 2024, we were honoured to be invited to the Empowered Women Payomatix event at Radisson Blu, Dwarka. This platform allowed us to speak about our community and women empowerment work, while also showcasing the handmade products developed at the Centre.
Children experienced their first theatre outing at Indradhanush Auditorium, Panchkula, on 23rd December 2024. The experience left them completely awestruck and inspired.
During Christmas, the UTrade Mohali team donated play equipment and shoes for the children. They spent quality time playing and interacting with the children and brought treats along—truly becoming Santa Claus for the day.
As the community continued to grow, new friends joined hands with us. Shweta and Aashish began the year 2025 with the children, spending time filled with laughter, interaction, and warmth. They also donated art materials, adding colour and creativity to the very first day of the year.
Lohri and Makar Sankranti celebrations on 14th January were marked by cultural festivities, folk music, food, and dancing around the bonfire, bringing the entire community together once again.
Republic Day remains one of the proudest moments for us. Children performed the march past with sincerity and discipline, saluting the national flag with pride. Women from the community also presented a short act highlighting the suppression of women in society, sparking reflection and dialogue.
On Women’s Day, in collaboration with Amber Charitable Trust, personal development activities were conducted for the women of the community. The sessions created space for self-reflection, emotional expression, and mental well-being.
Continuing our focus on health, another round of medical check-ups was organized for the children in collaboration with Dr. Bansal, once again made possible through Apotex’s support. These sessions encouraged children to pay greater attention to personal hygiene and nutrition.
Holi was celebrated joyfully with flower petals, music, dance, sweets, and savoury snacks—truly a day filled with colour and cheer.
From 17th to 24th March 2025, a week-long course in Basic Hemming and Macramé was organized, open to children from across the city, expanding skill-building opportunities beyond the community.
Our summer volunteer, Jaanvi, worked closely with the children, supporting literacy development and introducing cooking skills. From fireless cooking to street food and baking, the children explored a wide range of culinary experiences.
To encourage outdoor exploration, sensory development, and observation skills, children were periodically taken to Town Park, Panchkula.
Randeep, a psychologist and therapist, conducted sessions with the children to help them express their emotions freely. She introduced practical activities and tools to support emotional awareness and healthier interactions.
Another summer volunteer, Niharika, spent her transition period between school and college working with the children. She assisted with academics, taught board games, and supported overall learning and engagement.
Overall, the year was a roller-coaster journey—filled with challenges and setbacks, but also with resilience, joy, growth, and deep gratitude.
Impact Summary: 2024–2025
The year 2024–25 was marked by challenges, resilience, and meaningful progress. Beginning the financial year with minimal funding and no reserves, the organization paused to reassess its direction. Despite uncertainty, the team chose to stay together, demonstrating collective strength and commitment to the community.
Gradually, opportunities emerged. A Summer Camp held at the Rotary Club, Sector 16, Chandigarh (June 2024), enabled us to reach children across the city through skill-based learning, with several continuing their education at our Centre.
Celebrating six years of service in July 2024 renewed our sense of purpose and reaffirmed our commitment to education, skill development, and community empowerment.
A major milestone was the CSR partnership with Apotex, Bangalore, whose generous support strengthened our work in education, health, and nutrition. Through their contribution, we conducted regular medical check-ups, provided clothing, furniture, learning resources, and—most significantly—introduced laptops for children, greatly enhancing digital literacy. We remain deeply grateful for their continued support.
National celebrations such as Independence Day and Republic Day fostered civic pride and confidence among children and women through performances, cultural activities, and reflections on freedom and equality.
Participation in exhibitions at Hyatt Regency and Taj Hotel, Chandigarh, helped showcase handmade products created by women at the Centre, generating encouragement, visibility, and income through sales and customized orders.
Festivals including Diwali, Christmas, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Holi were celebrated collectively, strengthening community bonds and nurturing joy and inclusion.
We received growing recognition and support from partner organizations and individuals. Girl Power Talk, Mohali, helped amplify our work through their network. UTrade, Mohali, contributed play equipment and shoes for children, while several volunteers generously offered their time and skills.
Children benefited from experiential learning opportunities including a theatre visit, park outings, creative workshops, cooking sessions, and board-game-based learning. Mental and emotional well-being was supported through sessions conducted by a psychologist, encouraging self-expression and emotional awareness.
Women’s empowerment and personal development remained a focus, with dedicated sessions conducted in collaboration with Amber Charitable Trust.
Overall, the year was a journey of perseverance and growth—transforming financial uncertainty into strengthened partnerships, deeper impact, and renewed faith in collective effort.
Organizational Track Record & Impact (2024–2025)
Context & Need
The 2024–25 period began with significant financial constraints, requiring a strategic pause and reassessment of operations. Despite limited resources, the organization remained committed to ensuring continuity of education, health, and skill development for children and women from underserved communities. The team chose collective resilience over downsizing, safeguarding program stability and community trust.
Key Interventions
1. Education & Skill Development
• Conducted skill-based learning programs for children through a city-wide Summer Camp at Rotary Club, Sector 16, Chandigarh.
• Introduced digital literacy through procurement of laptops, enabling structured learning and access to educational resources.
• Organized workshops in basic hemming and macramé, open to children beyond the community.
• Provided academic support, literacy enhancement, creative learning, and experiential activities through volunteers.
2. Health & Well-being
• Conducted regular medical check-ups for children, focusing on preventive healthcare, hygiene, and nutrition awareness.
• Facilitated emotional and mental well-being sessions through a qualified psychologist, encouraging self-expression and healthy social interaction.
3. Women Empowerment & Livelihood Support
• Enabled women to create and market handmade products through participation in exhibitions at Hyatt Regency and Taj Hotel, Chandigarh.
• Generated income and confidence through product sales and customized orders.
• Conducted personal development and self-reflection sessions in collaboration with Amber Charitable Trust.
4. Community Engagement & Inclusion
• Celebrated national and cultural events (Independence Day, Republic Day, Diwali, Christmas, Lohri, Holi) to foster belonging, civic pride, and cultural awareness. • Organized exposure visits, including theatre experiences and outdoor learning at public parks.
5. Partnerships & Credibility
• CSR partnership with Apotex, Bangalore, significantly strengthened program delivery across education, health, nutrition, and digital access.
• Supported by community-focused organizations such as Girl Power Talk, Mohali, and UTrade, Mohali, along with committed individual volunteers.
Outcomes & Impact
• Improved access to education and digital learning tools for children.
• Enhanced health awareness, hygiene practices, and emotional well-being.
• Strengthened livelihood opportunities and confidence among women.
• Sustained community engagement despite financial adversity.
• Reinforced organizational resilience and accountability through transparent partnerships.
Conclusion
The year demonstrated the organization’s ability to convert constraints into impact through strong partnerships, committed teams, and community-centered interventions. With structured CSR support, the organization is well-positioned to scale its education, health, and women empowerment programs and deepen its measurable social impact.
Geetanjali Founder & CEO