Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled

Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, working for the empowerment of persons with disabilities and distress has a rich history spanning 19 years, marked by accomplishments. The Trust is geared to empower such people in socio-economic-cultural fronts, leading to their holistic development. By 2020, it aims to touch at least 100,000 lives with disabilities, creating a positive impact. The journey started in 1997, when Mahantesh G.K. and two of his friends envisioned an organization to provide basic need of education for the young and talented children with disability of any form. This vision mattered a lot to them as they themselves are visually challenged. Hence, since inception, Samarthanam has been working to empower the visually impaired and disabled. As the journey firmed, so has the reach and programs. In order to achieve its mission and realize its vision, Samarthanam has transformed itself to a comprehensive solutions provider, addressing different needs of all stakeholders. At present, the trust runs programs in 7 broad verticals for fulfilling the vision of empowering persons with disabilities and underprivileged background:
• Inclusive Education for CwDs and underprivileged children
• Health and Nutrition
• Livelihood Resource Centre for vocational skill training
• Sports, especially cricket for the blind
• Performing arts of the disabled
• Rehabilitation of women in distress
• Environment Conservation through waste management
Samarthanam @ Glance
• Our Vision: Empower persons with disability through inclusive model
• Our Mission: Enabling persons with disability and the underprivileged through diverse, inclusive, innovative programs
• Our stakeholders: Children, Women, Youths and the Elderly—with high priority for persons with disabilities. We also cater to economically and socially disadvantaged people such as child labours, school drop outs, minorities and those who are below poverty line.
• Our Coverage: Samarthanam operates pan India, with its head office in Bangalore, Karnataka. In Karnataka, the operations are spread in 5 districts. Livelihood Resource Centre is successfully operating in Jharkhand as well. We have offices in New Delhi and the United States. Legal establishment is in progress in UK and Singapore.
• Our Affiliations/Partnership: The Trust is affiliated to the State Government of Karnataka, Government of India, Boston University, University of Chicago, World Blind Union and World Blind Cricket Council, CII, Empanelment with Department of empowerment of Persons with disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice, GOI, WBCC, United Way, CAF, Give India, Give2 Asia and more.
• Our Credentials: The Trust has received more than 20 awards in the areas of education, child welfare, environment, sports, women welfare and health. The latest in the row includes: NASSCOM Social Innovation award for use of technology in skilling persons with disability; and United Nations Special Consultative Status Award 2015