About Prayatn · A Developmental Effort
Working with the disadvantaged sections of society since 1992
Prayatn is a registered Public Charitable Trust, founded in 1992 by a group of people and run from an office in Kalkaji, South Delhi. Our direct interventions are in the field of Education, Healthcare Services, Youth & Women Development.
Five key projects · three areas of work
Our projects
From our Annual Report 2025–26 · Comparative overview
The year at a glance
| Who we reached | 2024–25 | 2025–26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women Empowerment outreach | 14,401 | 14,958 | +4% |
| Swasthya Kendra outreach | 5,365 | 5,736 | +7% |
| School Health: regular check-ups and OPD services | 874 | 1,192 | +36% |
| Seth Vidyalaya enrolment | 637 | 655 | +3% |
| Youth Empowerment outreach | 63 | 153 | +143% |
| Scholarships | 24 | 22 | −8% |
Figures as given in the Annual Report 2025–26. Each row has its own scale: within a row, the longer bar is the larger figure.
Behind every number is a child, woman, family or community that has taken a step towards greater opportunity, dignity and independence.
Our mission
To empower the marginalized by building their capabilities through education and skill development for a decent, dignified and independent life.
Our vision
A society without economically weaker sections and disadvantaged, and where all are equal and active partners in the process of development.
Strategy
- Capacity building
- Community participation
- Resource mobilisation
- Networking
Approach
Holistic and participatory, involving all stakeholders.
Themes of our work
- Health
- Education
- Child protection
- Gender
- Community development
How we work
Our direct interventions are in the field of Education, Healthcare Services, Youth & Women Development.
Over 34 years we have planned, designed, implemented and managed development projects through a participatory approach, involving all stakeholders and working closely with allied organisations and government departments. Our community development projects start from the needs the community itself feels.
Where we work
South and South-East Delhi
Our office is in Kalkaji. Our work reaches communities across the south and south-east of the city, and our project against gender-based violence runs in seven communities of South, South East and Central Delhi.
South
- Ashram
- Nizamuddin
- Sriniwaspuri
South-East
- Madanpur Khadar
- Harkesh Nagar
- Okhla Phase-II
- Gautampuri
- 01
Kalkaji our office
Our office, E-103, G.F., Kalkaji. Where the work is planned and run from.
- 02
Sriniwaspuri
A Mahila Panchayat, and families in the Jagruk Pariwar programme.
- 03
Ashram
A Mahila Panchayat, including Double Storey. English conversation classes for young people, Jagruk Pariwar families, a Self-Help Group, and Women’s Day 2025 at the Ashram Community Centre.
- 04
Nizamuddin
A Mahila Panchayat and a Community Resource Centre. Jagruk Pariwar families, a Self-Help Group, and Eid at the Nizamuddin centre.
- 05
Sarai Kale Khan
A Mahila Panchayat.
- 06
Okhla
A Mahila Panchayat in Okhla Basti and a Community Resource Centre in Okhla Phase II. Beauty culture and English classes for young people.
- 07
Harkesh Nagar
A Mahila Panchayat, and families in the Jagruk Pariwar programme.
- 08
Gautampuri
A Mahila Panchayat, a Self-Help Group, Jagruk Pariwar families and beauty culture training. Diwali at the Gautampuri centre.
- 09
Madanpur Khadar
Seth Vidyalaya, which reaches out to 884 students. The Swasthya Kendra. Mahila Panchayats at Seth Vidyalaya, A1 and Babloo Dairy, beauty culture and English classes, and Self-Help Groups.
Milestones
- 1992 Prayatn is founded by a group of people, to work with the disadvantaged sections of society. It begins its first education programme, with 21 non-school girls at the Nehru Place slum.
- 1997–98 The first community-based health centre, Swasthya Kendra, opens in the Nehru Place slum.
- 2002 The Nehru Place slum is relocated to Madanpur Khadar, and Prayatn shifts its base to Madanpur Khadar.
- 2005 Prayatn starts an education programme for non-school children in Madanpur Khadar.
- 2006 With support from the Seth Foundation, Prayatn buys a piece of land (1,000 sq yards) in Madanpur Khadar.
- 2007 Larsen & Toubro Ltd financially supports Prayatn’s education programme, and the Swasthya Kendra at Madanpur Khadar begins, today our flagship health programme.
- 2009 With financial support from the Seth Foundation, Prayatn constructs its own building, and Seth Vidyalaya, our primary school in Madanpur Khadar, begins. In Women Development, the first Mahila Panchayat is formed with 20 community women.
- 2014 Another floor is added to our building, to run various community development programmes.
- 2017–18 The Scholarship Scheme for Meritorious Students begins.
- 2018–19 The Azim Premji Foundation begins supporting our Women Development programme, Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Communities, through the Mahila Panchayats.
- 2023 The School Health Clinic opens, with Samrat Offset Pvt Ltd.
- 2025 Empowering Youth as Agents of Change begins. In October, Seth Vidyalaya is recognised by the Department of Education, MCD.
- Today Five key projects: Swasthya Kendra, the School Health Program, Seth Vidyalaya, the Scholarship Scheme, and Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Communities.
Board of Trustees
A Board of Trustees of eight members manages the affairs of Prayatn. It meets four times a year to review the organisation’s performance, including the role and work of the faculty and staff, to give suggestions, and to monitor each project’s progress against its plan of action.
- Mr S.K. SarkarChairman
- Mrs Rashmi DhariwalTreasurer
- Dr. (Mrs.) Renu ChopraManaging Trustee
- Mr S.N AggarwalTrustee
- Mrs Reena SinghTrustee
- Mrs Namita GautamTrustee
- Mr Rajan MalhotraTrustee
- Mrs Smita SinghTrustee
At our schools
Parents at the table
School Management Committee
Eighteen members: parents’ representatives, teachers, trustees and members from educational institutions. It met three times in the year to review the school’s progress and plan the work ahead.
Parent Teacher Association
Parents, teachers and management together, to encourage parents to take part in school life, promote the all-round education of the children, and keep parents and teachers up to date on the school and its progress. It met on 11 November 2025 and chose a new parent representative for the committee, and each school held 10 parent-teacher meetings in the year.
Credits
The difference Prayatn has made and the milestones accomplished have been possible only because of the wholehearted involvement and full support of the community, dedicated & hardworking staff and our partners; to them we shall remain forever indebted.
Our donors have been our steadfast supporters ever egging and cheering us to the uncharted. Their financial contribution and confidence to stay invested in us over the years have given us immense courage and strength.
With thanks
Our partners & supporters
- Seth FoundationSupports our construction and education work
Azim Premji FoundationSupports our work against gender-based violence
Samrat Offset Pvt LtdSupports the School Health Program, since 2023
United Way of DelhiDeloitte, through United Way of Delhi, supports Seth Vidyalaya
Sleepwell FoundationSupports the training of teachers- Subash Dua Memorial TrustSupports the Scholarship Scheme for Meritorious Students
- SJ Jindal Trust