Our Profile
GENESIS
In 2004, a staff member at CCD suffered a severe spinal cord injury in an accident, resulting in paralysis despite significant efforts and resources invested in their recovery. This incident led CCD to consider the challenges faced by individuals with various disabilities, beyond just physical limitations, who often lack access to basic needs. Consequently, the MILON network was established in 2004 to identify and support people with disabilities, connecting them to mainstream services and resources.
In 2007, MILON evolved into SAMARTH and became a registered organization under the Societies Registration Act. Today, SAMARTH operates across 299 tribal and non-tribal villages within 89 gram panchayats in Gumma, Kasinagar, Gosani (Paralakhemundi), Nuagada, Rayagada, R.Udayagiri, and Mohona Blocks of Gajapati District, working to improve access and opportunities for people with disabilities.
SAMARTH is an Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD), a federation comprising 3,015 individuals with various disabilities, dedicated to helping members integrate into mainstream society and access government rights and entitlements. In Gajapati District, SAMARTH has established 248 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for persons with disabilities and six block-level Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs). These groups receive training, orientation, and advocacy support to increase awareness of social security schemes, the Sustainable Development Goals, UNCRPD, and the RPD Act of 2016.
With CCD’s support, SAMARTH has also initiated Braille education for visually impaired children and offers vocational training in skills like tailoring, computer use, agarbatti making, phenyl production, chalk piece making, jute bag stitching and design, sanitary napkin production, mixture preparation, solar light repair, LED bulb assembly, and food processing and value addition from millet, as well as organic fertilizer production. Since 2017, SAMARTH has evolved into a Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Center, offering physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for children with intellectual disabilities in Gajapati, in collaboration with CCD/SSEPD.
VISION
An inclusive society where PWDs can enjoy full participation, protection of their rights and equal opportunities and in mainstreaming equally in all aspects of the community develpoment
MISSION
To create an inclusive society by fostering unity among PwDs, providing essential services and facilities, and ensuring equal opportunities so that PwDs can thrive and live dignified lives, free from discrimination.
OBJECTIVES OF
sAMARTH
1
To capacitate and facilitate the PwDs on their rights and entitlements and in skill development.
2
To empower PwDs by fostering strong advocacy, lobbying efforts, and driving policy changes.
3
To promote economic rehabilitation to foster self-reliance among PwDs.
4
To promote and strengthen PwDs' institutions from the village level to the state level.
5
To promote the full participation, inclusion, and mainstreaming of PwDs."
6
To establish connections with resource agencies from the grassroots to the national level.
7
To create a barrier-free environment that ensures PwDs have access to education, healthcare, social security, and other welfare schemes.
MAJOR
INITIATIVES OF
SAMARTH
CAPACITY BUILDING
🍀Institutional Building -
Promotion of SHGs and DPOs
🍀Leadership Development
🍀Coordination and Collaboration with government and other resource agencies / networks
🍀Capacity Building
🍀Lobby & Advocacy
🍀Inclusion
🍀Recognition
🍀Networking with State and National Level
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
🍀Promotion of Self-Help Groups
SAMARTH actively promotes the establishment of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to foster community support and economic empowerment among persons with disabilities.
🍀Income Generation Programs
SAMARTH implements various income-generating programs, including dairy development, goat farming, chick rearing, grocery shops, vegetable cultivation, organic farming, tailoring, tea stalls, and mobile repair services. These initiatives aim to provide sustainable livelihoods and financial independence for persons with disabilities.
LOBBY & ADVOCACY INITIATIVES