(Development of Health, Hygiene and Rural Action)

Founded in 1989, Dhara Sansthan is a registered grassroots non-profit organization committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable and underserved populations across Rajasthan and Gujarat. With a development philosophy rooted in the values of Mahatma Gandhi, the organization believes in inclusive growth, community ownership, and sustainable solutions that address the unique challenges of rural and desert regions.

Who We Are

Dhara Sansthan operates at the intersection of tradition and innovation—leveraging indigenous knowledge, community structures, and scientific interventions to create measurable impact. Our programs are built around the real needs of the people we serve, and are implemented in close collaboration with village communities, local governments, civil society partners, and international donors.

With a field presence spanning over three decades, Dhara Sansthan has developed deep-rooted relationships in some of India’s most geographically and socioeconomically marginalized areas, including the arid zones of Barmer, Jaisalmer, the semi-urban and tribal belts of Jaipur, and interior villages across both states.

Our Approach

Dhara Sansthan believes that sustainable rural development can only be achieved when local people are empowered to become the agents of their own change. Our approach emphasizes:

• Community Mobilization & Participation
  Programs are designed and implemented with the community, not just for them.
• Women-Centric Development
  Special focus on empowering women through leadership, health, and livelihood initiatives.
• Traditional Wisdom + Scientific Innovation
  Integrating age-old practices such as taankas and nadis with modern water conservation technologies, or traditional birthing knowledge with maternal healthcare.
• Multi-Sectoral Integration
  Linking health, education, nutrition, water, and livelihoods to address the root causes of poverty and vulnerability.

 

Our Core Focus Areas

• Rural Health & Mobile Medical Units
  Bringing essential healthcare services, maternal care, immunization, and disease prevention to the doorstep of remote villages.
• Pre-school Education & Nutrition
  Strengthening early childhood development through community learning centers and nutritional support programs.
• Water Conservation & Access to Safe Drinking Water
  Reviving traditional water systems, building check dams, rainwater harvesting units, and promoting climate-resilient water management.
• Women’s Empowerment & Livelihoods
  Vocational training, self-help groups (SHGs), and micro-enterprises that promote financial independence and gender equality.
• Child Protection & Rehabilitation
  Addressing child rights, school dropouts, child labor, and abuse through integrated protection and rehabilitation models.
• Mental Health & Menstrual Hygiene Awareness
  Promoting emotional well-being and breaking stigma around menstruation through education, sanitary kit distribution, and counselling.
• Skill Development & Rural Entrepreneurship
  Creating employment pathways for youth and women through market-driven skills and entrepreneurship training.
• Disaster Response & Climate Resilience
  Providing timely relief during droughts, floods, and pandemics while building long-term resilience in vulnerable communities.

 

 

Impact & Outreach

Over the past 35 years, Dhara Sansthan has touched the lives of thousands of families across desert and tribal regions—building schools, restoring water systems, training women entrepreneurs, and healing underserved populations through our mobile health units and community hospitals.

Partnerships & Recognition

Dhara Sansthan collaborates with government agencies, CSR partners, national and international NGOs, and community-based organizations to scale its impact and reach. Our work has been recognized for its grassroots credibility, accountability, and long-standing commitment to rural transformation.