Community Meetings
Listening first and planning with people on the ground.
About Us
Vasundhara Sewa Samiti
Vasundhara Sewa Samiti (VSS), Kalyanpur is a voluntary non-profit organization registered under the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958. The organization works in the remote desert region of western Rajasthan, particularly in Kalyanpur block of Balotra district, which was earlier part of the Barmer district located near the India–Pakistan border. The region lies in the Thar Desert belt, where communities face difficult environmental and socio-economic conditions.
This desert region is characterized by sandy terrain, extreme temperatures, irregular rainfall, frequent droughts, and water scarcity, which significantly affect the livelihoods of rural communities. People in these areas largely depend on rain-fed agriculture, livestock rearing, horticulture activities, and traditional water systems for their survival. Traditional water sources such as ponds, rainwater harvesting structures, talab, tanke, nadi, beri, and rural water tanks play an important role in meeting water needs in desert villages.
Due to these challenges, rural households often experience poverty, seasonal migration, and limited access to education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure. These conditions particularly affect Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), women, landless families, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups living in remote villages.
Established in 1996–97, Vasundhara Sewa Samiti works to strengthen rural communities through participatory and community-led development approaches. The organization focuses on community mobilization, awareness building, and promotion of fundamental rights, encouraging people to actively participate in development processes and access their entitlements. The organization also promotes community participation in Panchayati Raj Institutions, strengthening local governance and grassroots democracy.
The organization focuses on key development areas such as rights-based community development, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, horticulture development, conservation of traditional water resources, health and environmental awareness, climate change adaptation, disaster response in drought-prone areas, and capacity building of rural communities.
Vasundhara Sewa Samiti also promotes women’s empowerment and self-reliance by supporting livelihood activities such as making soap (saboon), detergent (surf), and other household products. In times of drought and scarcity, the organization has also supported rural families by distributing fodder (chaara) for livestock such as goats and camels, helping communities sustain their traditional livelihoods.
Over the years, the organization has continued to empower rural communities in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, helping them build resilience, improve socio-economic conditions, protect natural resources, and participate actively in local governance and community development initiatives.
Field Action
Programs designed around practical local needs.
Shared Progress
Building confidence, rights awareness, and community ownership.
Legal Status
Registration Act: Rajasthan State Cooperative Societies Act, 1958 (Section 28)
Registration Number: 13
Registered Since: 12 June 1996–1997
Our Principles
Community Participation
Ensuring local leadership and active involvement in all stages of development.
Equity & Inclusion
Promoting non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all sections of society.
Rights-Based Approach
Focusing on rights and need-based planning to empower the marginalized.
Transparency
Maintaining accountability, partnership, and sustainability in all actions.
Our Objectives
To work for the comprehensive development of economically, socially, and politically backward Dalit and vulnerable communities, without discrimination.
Promote public participation in development works, foster mutual trust and brotherhood, and empower leadership at the village level.
Providing assistance during natural and community-based disasters, and promoting cottage industries and folk arts.
Improving health, education, and environmental status for women, children, and elderly, and developing appropriate technology.
To eradicate social evils like superstitions, untouchability, child marriage, dowry, and build an equality-based society where individuals can make informed decisions.