About Us – Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Samiti

About the organisation

Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Samiti (SVSS) is a not-for-profit organization registered under the Societies Act in the year 1971. The idea of its existence was conceived by Shri Uma Shankar Srivastava who was inspired by the philosophy of Swami Vivekanand. He envisioned the creation of an organization which could spread the idea of education and uplift the poor masses, especially the women and children. A congregation of likeminded social activists came together and SVSS was established to make this mandate a reality.

SVSS is working for the past 52 years for the cause of the marginalized sections of the society, especially women, youth and children. Its focus has been on issues which usually considered insignificant in common parlance, have a significant impact in ensuring inclusion of the marginalized. The work at SVSS is governed by the guiding principles of being secular and non-political. SVSS worked with 1039 villages in Uttar Pradesh and has impacted the lives of over 370893 beneficiaries

Broder Objective

In our endeavour to improve the quality of education imparted through the programme we aim and work for:

Providing basic education to underprivileged children in the age group of 3+ to 18
To improve quality of education available to the underprivileged children
To create community awareness towards education, health and rights.
To make necessary interventions to create income security opportunity for the rural communities
Through village institutions collaborate and influence Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to become more effective, accountable and inclusive

Vision

A society which is just, egalitarian and democratic and a life which is free from violence, hunger and exploitation.

Mission

We work towards mobilizing and effecting institutions of self-governance and improving the accountability of public service delivery mechanisms to help beneficiaries access their rights and entitlements
We build leadership among women and create an enabling environment for children to help vulnerable sections in the society realize their optimum potential leading to improvement in their quality of life
We partner with government ministries; local, national and international organizations to scale up our intervention models and replicate.

Approach

SVSS adopts a hybrid approach in vouching towards its goal of sustainable village development. The hybrid approach engages components of service delivery as well as rights-based approaches. In doing so, it works both ways:

The hybrid approach emphasizes non-discrimination, attention to vulnerability and empowerment. SVSS works at grassroot level to create sustainable change for village children.

Genesis

The inception of SVSS, four decades ago, was guided with Swami Vivekananda’s mission of empowering children and women through effective access to quality education. Recognizing the backwardness in the Uttar Pradesh region and the daunting need for development interventions, SVSS came into being to improve the status of education in the rural pockets of the state through improving service delivery mechanisms as well as making rural inhabitants realize the importance of education. Pursuing the overarching objective of making education available for all, SVSS placed a special focus on empowering the women of rural communities to mobilize individual initiatives in making their situation better. Reiterating the need for intervention, SVSS, in collaboration with its donors expanded its outreach to foray into the avenues of health and livelihoods. Recognizing that these domains are intertwined, SVSS in today’s date envisages for holistic community development through rights-based approach.

The (SVSS) organization has several core strengths that enable it to effectively implement projects and work towards its mission of empowering marginalized communities in India. Here is a detailed look at each of these strengths:

Implementation of project on ground:

One of the core strengths of SVSS is its ability to effectively implement projects on the ground. SVSS has a strong team of professionals who are experienced in executing various types of social projects. They are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to implement projects effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner. The organization ensures that projects are implemented with a participatory approach, where the community is involved in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects. This ensures that projects are relevant to the community’s needs, and the community takes ownership of the projects, which results in sustainable development.

Coordinating on regular basis with government and Panchayati Raj Institutes:

SVSS recognizes the importance of government institutions and Panchayati Raj Institutes in implementing social development projects. To effectively work with these institutions, SVSS has established regular coordination and communication channels with them. The organization actively engages with government officials and Panchayati Raj representatives to ensure that projects are aligned with government policies and programs. This coordination helps SVSS to leverage government resources and ensure the sustainability of its projects.

Corporate partnership:

SVSS has also established strong partnerships with corporates to mobilize resources for its social development projects. The organization has a team of professionals who work towards building relationships with corporates, identifying areas of mutual interest, and developing partnerships that benefit both parties. SVSS has successfully implemented several projects with the support of its corporate partners. These partnerships have helped SVSS to mobilize resources, raise awareness about social development issues, and build networks to support its work.

Donor management:

SVSS is also adept at managing its donors effectively. The organization has established systems and processes to ensure transparency, accountability, and good governance in its fundraising efforts. The organization maintains regular communication with its donors to keep them updated on the progress of its projects, and to seek feedback and support for its work. This donor management approach has helped SVSS to build trust with its donors, resulting in long-term support for its social development projects.

Proper communication with Media:

SVSS recognizes the importance of media in raising awareness about social development issues and mobilizing public support for its work. The organization has a team of professionals who work towards developing relationships with the media, disseminating information about its projects, and promoting its work through various media channels. SVSS has effectively used social media, print media, and electronic media to raise awareness about its projects, mobilize public support, and attract new donors.

On ground work with different stakeholders with community (Children, Women’s and youth):

SVSS believes in working with various stakeholders in the community to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of its social development projects. The organization actively engages with children, women, and youth in the community to involve them in its projects. This approach helps to build community ownership and sustainability of its projects. SVSS also collaborates with other NGOs, local leaders, and community-based organizations to ensure that projects are aligned with the community’s needs and priorities. This collaborative approach has helped SVSS to build trust and support in the community, resulting in sustainable development.

SWAMI VIVEKANAND

SHIKSHA SAMITI