about us
Since its creation in January 2007, Sambhali Trust has worked tirelessly to change the lives of Rajasthani women by providing them with access to formal education, training in traditional income-generating skills such as handicraft production, as well as arranging and monitoring women’s self-help groups, helping them to save money, have access to loans and create small enterprises of their own.
We also empower women by teaching them about their human rights and provide refuge, counseling and support in cases of domestic violence, and financial help with legal or medical issues.
We focus our work on women within the scheduled caste community and from all religions who experience three levels of discrimination based on their caste, their economic situation, and their gender.
Together, we can empower the women and girls of Rajasthan, India
In our Empowerment Centres, we provide underprivileged Rajasthani women and girls an education in English, Hindi, and Maths.
Through our Scholarship Project and Boarding Homes, we sponsor children from poverty-stricken families to continue going to school.
We provide counseling, health, and legal support when women are abused, abandoned, and blackmailed.
Most importantly, we provide a space that is safe and free of discrimination, to uplift the hearts and voices of deprived Rajasthani women and nurture lasting networks of support.
learn more about our programs
Where we work
Sambhali Trust's projects are based in Jodhpur, Setrawa, and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India.
our impact
10 Empowerment Centres
3 Boarding Homes
57,168 women and children reached
940 Sewing Centre graduates
2915 Scholarship Project students
13,398 Nirbhaya Helpline Cases
Our Policies
SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS BY THE ECOSOC
Sambhali Trust has been granted Special Consultative Status by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations on 23 July 2015.
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our founder
When Govind was 15 years old, his father died, leaving him the head of the household. In India's patriarchal society, widows have no status, respect, or rights. He began to look at the plight of women and children in the local community and decided to do something about it.
read govind’s story
Board of Trustees
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Shyama Tanwar
With a BA in administration, Sanskrit and education, Shyama came to Sambhali following over 20 years spent teaching Hindi and Sanskrit.
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Virendra Singh Chouhan
Virendra is director of 'RAJPUT Cultural adventures in Rajasthan.' He has a diploma in tourism from the Hotel Management Institute, Jodhpur.
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Badan Kanwar
Badan is retired from her hospitality business, and she is a survivor of domestic violence and early widowhood. Govind Singh Rathore credits her for inspiring him to start the Trust.
Patron
our patron
Deepa Mehta is an internationally acclaimed director, filmmaker and screenwriter. She joined Sambhali Trust in 2017 as a supporter of the grassroots nonprofit's decade-long service to families across India.
Hear about Deepa’s commitment
International Advisory Board
Mag. Ernestine Badegruber - Sambhali Austria, Hilfe für Frauen und Kinder in Indien, Linz, Austria
Ms. Roxanne Näschen - Freunde für Sambhali e. V., Allensbach, Germany
Mrs. Sarah Harrington - Sambhali UK, United Kingdom
Mrs. Jacqueline de Chollet - Founder/Director of Global Foundation for Humanity, UK/USA
Mrs. Flo Bornecque- Rousseau - Dynamique au Féminin, La Valette, France
National Advisory Board
Advt. Vandana Bhansali - Mrs. Bhansali has a Master’s degree in Law and is an advocate at the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur, where she has been practising since 2006. She is a member of the Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jodhpur, “Women Redressal Committee” and has worked on women’s issues specialising in declining sex ratio and domestic violence, a project undertaken by UNFPA and CHEARS.
Ramona Saboo -Mrs. Saboo is Founder/Director of Forty Red Bangles, which she founded in 2010; a socially conscious and ecologically responsible company based in Mumbai, which supports many NGOs and cooperatives throughout India by sourcing items from them for her store. Mrs Saboo has long been a supporter of Sambhali Trust, in particular its sewing centres.
Dr. Shakti Singh Khakhadki - Dr. Khakhadki has a Doctorate in Rajasthani literature and is formerly assistant to the Rajmata Saheb of Jodhpur. He is a passionate tourist guide, social activist and writer and also runs a business for hand-made fashion wedding accessories.
Dr. Mahendra Singh Tanwar - Writer & Asst. Manager Maharaja Maan Singh Pustak Prakash, Research center, Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, India.
Dr. (Mrs) Kunjan Trivedi - Dr Trivedi has been the Professor of the Dept of Human Sciences in Jodhpur from 2001-13. She obtained a PhD in Human Development and more recently a Master’s Diploma in Gender Studies. Amongst her many achievements in her illustrious career she has written several publications, papers, articles and books on social issues surrounding women in Rajasthan as well as helping to establish the syllabi for several degree courses in universities in Jodhpur.
Sapna Bhatia - Sapna Bhatia is the owner and founder of Kaner Retreat - India's first desert botanical resort. With Kaner, Sapna is engaged in telling the stories of the living and culinary traditions of her home - the Thar Desert.Before opening Kaner Retreat, Sapna worked as an International broadcast Journalist in India and the UK. Sapna is an MBA and has done masters in International Journalism from City University, London, UK.
Smita Sawant - Smita Sawant is a highly respected authority in international community development, with nearly 25 years of experience leading and managing programs across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Her extensive fieldwork in over a dozen countries has equipped her with a unique perspective that spans grassroots initiatives to high-level international policy-making. Having a experience working with women and children, Smita has played a pivotal role in shaping impactful strategies for poverty alleviation and women's entrepreneurship. She has also provided invaluable consultancy services to major international development organizations, leveraging her profound expertise to influence social enterprises.
Reena Chouhan - Reena Chouhan is a dynamic management consultant and life coach with over 10 years of experience in project management, business development, and personal growth coaching. Reena is the founder and has established a pioneering educational institution in her village, Rohat, addressing significant communication gaps and local skepticism about investing in education. She is particularly passionate about inspiring individuals to be Independent (physically and financially).
R.K. Padmja Rajnandini Rathore - R.K. Padmaja Rajnandini Rathore of Jodhpur is a renowned conservationist, eco-tourism pioneer, and advocate for women’s empowerment. She established Bagheera’s Camp Rewilding Jawai Preserve, promoting sustainable tourism and wildlife protection in Rajasthan. Alongside, she runs skill development programs for local communities, focusing on hospitality, life skills, and wellness through yoga. A TedX speaker and Save the Girl Child ambassador, her efforts align with Sambhali’s mission to uplift marginalized groups and promote sustainable development for future generations.