Social Action – Karunya Trust

HEAVENLY PATRON

St. Mother Theresa

MOTTO & VISION

VISION

“To create a just and harmonious society based on the Gospel Values of love, fellowship, freedom and peace”.

St. Mother Theresa

MISSION
Karunya Trust will restore human dignity of the needy and the marginalized by addressing the issues of Education, Health, Livelihood, Governance and Environment. It will facilitate the process of empowerment by enhancing their capacities, promote networking with people’s organizations, likeminded NGO’s. It will promote development process by mobilizing the potentials and resources available within and outside the communities.

• Present Director: Fr.  Lijo Velliyamkandathil
• Other In charge: Sr. Mini Abraham (Karunya Trust, Programme Coordinator)
  

  About Karunya Trust

  Karunya Trust is a registered NGO under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 (Reg. No. E-18021).
  Since 1998, Karunya Trust has been working for the upliftment of vulnerable communities across the rural and urban areas of Thane and Mumbai. The Head Office of Karunya Trust is located in Powai, opposite IIT Bombay.

  Focus Areas

  Karunya Trust implements
  its development initiatives across six core themes:
  Education • Health • Livelihood • Good Governance • Community Wellbeing •
  Ecology

  What Karunya Trust Does

  For more than two
  decades, Karunya Trust has been committed to creating opportunities, improving
  access to essential services, and promoting dignity for marginalized families.
  Karunya Trust works extensively with children and women from rag-picking communities,
  HIV-affected families, and tribal populations through holistic,
  community-driven interventions such as:

  ●      Non-formal education and academic support

  ●      Scholarships for children and youth

  ●      Formation of Children’s Parliament and child leadership platforms

  ●      Rights-based awareness programmes for children and communities

  ●      Adult literacy and continuing education initiatives

  ●      Vocational training and skill development programmes

  ●      Seed grants and support for micro-enterprises

  ●      Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to empower women

  ●      Health camps and psychosocial care services

  ●      Emergency medical support for vulnerable families

  ●      Monthly nutrition support for families in need

  ●      Meals and nutrition programmes for slum children

  ●      Facilitating access to government welfare schemes

  ●      Construction of houses and sanitation units

  ●      Installation of drinking water facilities

  ●      Rural school redevelopment and infrastructure improvement

  ●      Promotion of organic and sustainable farming practices

  ●      Tree plantation drives and environmental initiatives

  ●      Disaster relief and rehabilitation work

  Through these integrated efforts, Karunya Trust continues to build safer, healthier, and more dignified futures for thousands of families. The organisation remains committed to empowering communities, strengthening resilience, and creating pathways to opportunity for generations to come.

  OUR CURRENT PROJECTS & OUR REACH

  1.    GYANSAATHI: Since 2011

  Empowering children and youth from
  the rag-picking community in Govandi, Mumbai through non-formal education,
  holistic support, and a sustainable approach for comprehensive development.

  Our Reach: 1850 children & their
  families, 308 Youth, 56 Women.

  2.    SAVLI: Since 2016 Empowerment of the children and
  their families infected & affected by Life-threatening diseases with the
  right to education, psychosocial care and basic entitlements in Eastern suburbs- Mumbai & Thane.

  Our Reach: 1539 children and their families.

  3.    BHARARI/DISHA: Since 2013

  Integrated evolution of the women
  and children of the tribal hamlets through Self Help Approach in Ambernath
  & Kalyan Taluka – Thane.

  Our Reach:  8980 tribal women and their families in 48
  villages.

  4.     JEEVAN: Since 2015

  Empowering the tribal community
  through good governance, sustainable agriculture and tribal rights in Kalyan
  Taluka – Thane

  Our Reach:  7267 tribal women and their families in 30
  villages.

  5.     NIVAS: Since 2008

  Aid the tribal and underprivileged
  communities of Thane and Mumbai to have their own houses.

  Our Reach:  New houses constructed- 273 and partial
  housing support- 282 families.

  6.     JAN (Jubilee Action Network): Since 2013

  Team of volunteers supporting,
  caring and rehabilitating destitutes on the streets and being a helping hand to
  the impoverished.

  Our Reach: 164 destitutes.

  7.     I-SAVE (Institute of Social Animation &
  Vocational Education): Since 2014

  Livelihood training and support
  program for urban and rural communities.

  Our Reach: Urban Beneficiaries 159 & Rural Beneficiaries 222.

  8.     SUVIDYA: Since 2016

  Scholarship support for the higher
  education of adolescents belonging to low economic backgrounds.

  Our Reach: 63 Students.

  9.     SWACH: Since 2015

  Provision of sanitation units to
  tribal and underprivileged communities of Thane and Mumbai.

  Our Reach: 446 families received new
  toilets.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

  10.  GREEN HANDS: Since 2014

  Tree plantation and forest
  conservation to uphold a healthy environment through restoration and
  preservation of natural resources.

  Our Reach: 12000+ trees planted.

  11.  UPLIFT (Uplifting Public Living through Infrastructure Facilities & Technology): Since 2014

  To enhance community well-being by advancing infrastructure and technology for better public living.

  Our Reach: 8 schools, 1 village and 1 PHC 

  12.  SUJAL:- Since November 2017

  Provision of safe and clean drinking
  water to tribal hamlets in Thane district.

  Our Reach: 9 Sujal units in 12 tribal hamlets.

  13.  GYANDEEP: Since 1998

  Providing education scholarships and initial study help to underprivileged children through Karunya and its Nodal centres.

  Our Reach: Rural: 923 children supported through 29 Tuition centres.

  Urban: Education kit & Admission support- 3052 Children.

  14.  JEEVAN SAHARA: Since 1998

  Providing accessible medical aid and comprehensive life cycle support to economically disadvantaged communities through Karunya and its Nodal centres.

  Our Reach: 9836 individuals.

  15.  POSHAN: Since 1998

  Delivering essential ration kits and nutritious food to impoverished communities through Karunya and its Nodal centres.

  Our Reach: 2572 individuals

  16.  KARE (Karunya Assistance and Relief Efforts): Since 2005

  Responding swiftly to natural and man-made disasters with vital aid and support.

  Our Reach: More than 2 lakh individuals through 4 relief missions

  17.  Mruthunjai: Since 2013

  Advocating and promoting organ donation.

  Our Reach: 6000+ volunteered for organ donation. 3 Individuals donated organs.

  18.  I-Play: Since 2024

  Building a culture of fitness and empowerment through sports for children, youth, and women in underprivileged communities.

  Our Reach:  62 Children and 86 Youth & Women.

MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF KALYAN DIOCESAN SOCIAL ACTION (KDSA), KARUNYA TRUST SINCE 1998

• Inaugurated By Dr. P. C. Alexander, H’ble Governor of Maharashtra on 5th Sept 1998, in the presence of Mar Thomas Elavanal.
• Supported 9,818 children through various types of educational programs under different projects in past 15 years.
• Empowered over 10,000 women through Self Help Groups, Adult Literacy classes & various supporting programs, out of which 7000 Women belong to SC, ST, OBC.
• Flood relief and Rehabilitation provided to 96372 families during the 2005 Mumbai Flood Built 97 houses for rural poor in Ambernath, Bhiwandi & Kalyan Talukas.
• 1745 People living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHAS) & their families are supported for a sustainable livelihood.
• Established 55 nodal centers in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik regions.
• Opened 5 dispensaries for urban poor.
• Network with over 20 Government and non government organizations.
• Kalyan Diocesan Social Perspective Plan: Released by Bp. Thomas Elavanal on 11th August, 2012.
• The book named ‘Rice: The Golden Grain’ written by Dr. Haridas V.R translated into Marathi language.

DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS UNDERTAKEN IN THE LAST FOURTEEN YEARS:

Projects in Progress & implemented: Karunya has been implementing the following programs in the target areas with different stakeholders:

1. BHARARI: (2013-Conti..,Beneficiaries: 1600 children & their families, Supported by: HCDI Pune): Thane Tribal Developent Project, a Child Focused Community Development project targeting 1600 tribal children & their families in Ambernath Taluka, Thane and Mumbai. The project aims at the development of Education, Health, Livelihood and strengthening of Community Based Organization in 16 villages of Ambernath Taluka.
2. JEEVASRADHA: (2013-Conti.., Beneficiaries: 10,000 migrants of Thane City per year, Supported by: PHFI.
3. JUBILEE MEMORIAL HOUSING PROJECT for the rural poor (2012-Conti…, Beneficiaries: 50 families, Supported by: Karunya Trust): As a Silver Jubilee memorial of the Diocese of Kalyan 50 houses are under construction in Ambernath and Kalyan Talukas of Thane district for the rural folk who are poor/ handicapped / widowed and victims of disaster.
4. GYANSAATHI: (2011-Conti..,Beneficiaries: 200 children & their families, Supported by: HCDI Pune): Community development programme for the child rag-pickers: The project is empowering the rag-picking children, residing at the Deonar Dumping yard at Govandi ,Mumbai through non-formal education, providing supplementary nutrition, formation of child support groups, health care, community mobilization and training.
5. JEEVAN: (2013-Conti.., Beneficiaries: 1147 households, Supported by: Caritas India): Supporting over 1147 households in Kalyan Taluka, focussing the issues of livelihood & Migration.
6. SAVLI/ GYAN MITRA (2009- Conti.., Beneficiaries: 145 children, Supported by: Karunya Trust): Education programme for the children of
   PLHAs which provide financial assistance to meet the educational requirements.
7. Maharashtra Integrated Development Action for Society (MIDAS) (2008- Conti.., Beneficiaries: 31 Villages -1442 families, Supported by: Caritas India): The programme focuses on livelihood options for the marginalized communities in the 31 villages of Ambernath and Kalyan Talukas promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
8. NIVAS housing program (2008- 2010, Beneficiaries: 63 families, Supported by: Habitat India & Karunya Trust): Housing for the disaster affected victims at the Ambernath and Kalyan Taluka’s rural areas.
9. ASARA: Care & Support for the Children HIV/AIDS infected and affected (2007-2011, Beneficiaries: 1332 children -, Supported by: India HIV/ AIDS Alliance & CRS Mumbai): Community based care and support programme for the affected and infected children by providing nutrition supplement, educational support and alternative livelihood options.
10. Paediatric ART initiative project (2007-2011, Beneficiaries: 142 children -, Supported by: Clinton Foundation): Improved the quality of life of children living with HIV/ AIDS. Provided Comprehensive care for those not yet ready for treatment and ART therapy for those who need it.
11. Alternative livelihood programme under District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) (2006-Conti.., Beneficiaries: 193 children -, Supported by: DRDA Thane): 439 SHG’s are formed and members were given various trainings on livelihood options and were engaged in poultry, goat-rearing, farming, catering and other such income generation activities. 191 groups have received loans to start income generation programme from different banks.
12. Community Based care and support to People living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHAS): (2005-2010, Beneficiaries: 1695 PLHAS, Supported by: CRS  and Karunya Trust): Provided Awareness on HIV/ AIDS, Counselling & Medical support for PLHAS. Also involved in training for Care givers and Formation of CBOs.
13. Community Based Disaster Preparedness (2010-2011, Beneficiaries: 21 villages, Supported by: UPS India): Equipped the target communities residing at the flood-prone areas of Kalyan and Ambernath through awareness creation and networking with GOs and NGOs.
14. GYANDEEP: (1998- Conti.., Beneficiaries: 6946 Children, Supported by: Karunya Trust): The Trust runs various types of educational programmes for the children under different schemes which include Initial Study Help, Sponsorship Programme and Scholarship Programme.
15. MASS WEDDING: Supported 100 rural poor girls & boys for a happy married life as a memorial of Silver Jubilee of the Diocese of Kalyan.
16. HARIT KALYAN: 341 Farmers’ clubs from rural villages of Kalyan & Ambernath Talukas are introduced to organic farming
    • 9 clubs are affiliated to NABARD & 22 clubs are in the process of affiliation.
    • Rice: The Golden Grain on organic SRI farming by Dr. Haridas V.R translated to Marathi language
    • Green Eco Power saving 1, 00,000 STICKERS distributed all over Mumbai.
    • Distributed SOLAR LANTERN to 100 rural students.
17. JAGRUTI: 900 Self Help Groups in 290 villages of Ambernath, Bhiwandi, Kalyan Talukas, 120 Self Help Groups (SHGs) have increased their income from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1,000/- per month.
18. SURAKSHA: Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction (CMDRR): 21 flood prone villages of Kalyan Taluka are well equipped to respond to disaster.
19. Social Security Schemes:
    • Rural women have taken LIC policy (Jeevan Madhur & Jeevan Mangal) promoted by Karunya Trust.
    • Mazdoor Suraksha Yojana (MSY): New Pension Scheme in collaboration with Workers India Federation in the process of launching.
20. JEEVASHRAYA: a project for sick & the bedredden could reach out to over 19 patients.
21. DRISHTI 2020: An attempt to donate 20,000 eyes by 2020.
22. MRUTHINJAY: Organ Donation Drive initiated by KDSA in memory of Silver Jubilee of the Diocese
23. Flood relief and Rehabilitation (20050, Beneficiaries: 96372 families, Supported by: CRS, Caritas India & Karunya Trust): Distributed cooked food -23733, food material -30850, Family kits – 9969, Student’s kits -5915, Medical camps – 25905, Rehabilitation work in Ambernath and Kalyan Talukas. Redevelopment 1000 acres of agricultural land and community assets like –halls, temples, wells & roads.
24. Dispensaries and Medical Camps: The dispensaries at various nodal centers of Karunya Trust provide free medical aid to the poor and marginalized in and around the centre. Also the medical camps organized in the target areas based on the need of the communities provides free medicines and refer cases for further investigation which will be followed up by the animators appointed by the Trust in the respective areas.
25. Health Education Programmes: Through audio visual aids and street plays health education is imparted to the target group on various issues.

Thanks for being a part of this divine movement…

AWARDS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

2024-25

●      Diamond level NGO – TMM 2025

2023-24

●      Diamond level NGO TMM 2024

●      NGO with highest number of change runners amongst young leaders -TMM 2024.

2022-23

●      Diamond level NGO – TMM 2023

●      NGO with highest number of change runners amongst young leaders TMM 2023.

2020-21

●      Platinum Level NGO Award for Karunya Trust’s outstanding participation and fundraising at Tata Mumbai Marathon 2020 by Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on October 27, 2020.

2017-18

●      “Social Innovation Award” at Caritas India for innovative practices for inclusion education.

2016-17

●      TISS Accreditation: Certificate of partnership from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS AESDII)

2015-16

●      Certificate of Appreciation from Mumbai District AIDS Control Society.

●      Social Action Award by Indian Development Foundation

●      Best Animation story award at the National level

●      Samaj Sevak puraskar.2014-15

●      Winners of Global Volunteer Award (Deutsche bank) in India -Gyansaathi project.

●      Highest fund raiser in We care Category of the SCMM-14 Gyansaathi project.

2013: Deutsche Bank’s first Global and Regional Volunteer Award won by Karunya Trust’s Child rag-picker’s project, Gyansaathi. The project won the second place in Asia Pacific region, and first place in India with a price money € 4000.

2013: Amarapali SHG from Kanor, Ambernath Taluka won RAJMATHA JIJUSWALMBAN PURASKAR second prize at Thane District.

2012: Kunda, Shubham SHG’s food stall was selected as the best food stall at Mahalakshmi Saras at Bandra and won Price money of Rs.15,000/-

2011: Six SHGS were awarded as the best SHGs by Kalyan Samaj Vibhag, Kalyan.

2011 & 2010: Two women SHGs namely Ekta SHG, Devloli and Amrapali SHG, Boradpada won the best self help group Awards at the District level and Konkan Level during the Mahalakshmi Saras.

2010: JAIDURGAMATHA SHG at Boardpada, Ambernath Taluka won RAJMATHA JIJUSWALMBAN PURASKAR at Konkan Region and Thane District.

2009: Two of our SHG’s from Ambernath & Bhiwandi won 1st & 2nd prizes at District and Konkan region.

2008: Best NGO AWARD – Karunya was awarded as the BEST NGO in Powai area by the MANCH Mumbai Citizens during the Powai Festival.

Former Directors of Karunya Trust were Fr. Thomas Thaikootathil, Fr. Benny Ezhormattam, Fr. George Vattamattam, Fr. Shibu Pulickal, Fr. Biju Kollamkunnel , Fr. Paul Kunduparambil,Fr. Joby Ayithamattathil