Friends of Seva Mandir, Inc.

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Friends of Seva Mandir, Inc.

Friends of Seva Mandir, Inc (FSM) is a 501(C)(3) public charity based in Edison, New Jersey Friends of Seva Mandir Inc.

is a not-for-profit organization that makes grants to support the work of Seva Mandir in India. Seva Mandir is one of India’s leading development nonprofit organizations. It currently works with 360,000 people across 700 villages of southern Rajasthan, where over 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture and most people live on less than Rs. 20 ($0.35) a day. For over 45 years, Seva

Mandir has worked in partnership with these people, not only to improve their material well-being, but to build stronger and more ethical communities. Through its programs on governance, health, education, sustainable use of natural resources, women’s empowerment, youth development, child care and social enterprise, Seva Mandir makes a tangible and transformative impact. Every year, 12,000 disadvantaged children receive a quality education in its schools; 8,000 women and children out of reach of hospitals are offered critical health services; thousands more families achieve food security and sustainable livelihoods through its work on agricultural land; and 9,000 women move closer to gender equality and financial independence through women’s groups and lending cooperatives. At Seva Mandir, very modest amounts of money go a very long way toward improving people’s lives, and its success has been recognized through a long list of awards and partnerships with distinguished funders and the Indian government. Seva
Mandir’s donors have included Plan International, Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation, Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst, MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Target, Barclays, Monsoon Accessorize Trust, and the World Bank. Through efficient management, overhead costs are kept to only 13% of the annual budget of $3.2 million. What is distinctive about Seva Mandir is that it does not just deliver aid, but instead uses every development project as a way to build stronger communities. This is accomplished through 532 Village Forums and associated Village Funds, which co-manage all Seva Mandir projects and ensure that citizens themselves take responsibility for their village. Over time, these Forums have grown into institutions of just governance, turning Seva Mandir projects into sustained investments in more self-sufficient and equitable communities.

06/16/2026

Seva Mandir works directly with villages to strengthen local institutions that manage development activities.

Village-level groups meet regularly to discuss water use, land management, access to public services, and other local issues.

These forums provide a space where community members can raise concerns, review progress, and participate in decision-making.

06/11/2026

In many rural villages, young children often remain at home while parents work in the fields or travel for daily wage labor.

So Seva Mandir supports balwadis -- village-based daycare centers where children receive basic nutrition, early education, and a safe space during the day.

Local workers manage these centres, ensuring the children are engaged and developing early learning habits before entering formal schooling.

Balwadis also benefit older siblings by lessening their caregiving responsibilities. This means many are able attend school more regularly themselves.

06/08/2026

Self-Help Groups are often seen as savings and credit systems, But their role is much broader.

SHGs have helped thousands of women access government programs, resolve local disputes, and address issues like violence and trafficking.

Because they meet regularly, the SHGs become trusted spaces where women discuss challenges openly and take collective action.

Over time, SHG participation also leads to greater involvement in village institutions, enabling women to contribute to decisions affecting their communities.

These changes may be gradual, but they reflect how collective effort can strengthen individuals and their communities.

06/02/2026

Babudi had been unwell for several days, but like many women, she delayed seeking treatment.

For a mother of five, paying for medical care meant difficult trade-offs.

When her condition became critical, she was taken to a hospital. But the immediate challenge remained: how to pay for treatment.

Babudi reached out to her Self-Help Group (SHG) members, and within hours they arranged a loan so she could receive care.

Babudi’s story reflects how SHGs aren't just financial systems. They're also networks of mutual support that become trusted places to turn in times of need.

05/28/2026

Agriculture remains the primary livelihood for many families in southern Rajasthan -- where soil health, sufficient water, and market access are all ongoing challenges.

Seva Mandir regularly organizes farmer training sessions, where farmers learn improved cultivation techniques, crop diversification strategies, and sustainable farming practices.

Farmers exchange knowledge, learn from demonstration farms, and experiment with new approaches that strengthen agricultural resilience.

This peer learning plays an important role in helping farming communities adapt to changing conditions.

05/21/2026

Waste management is an emerging challenge in many rural settlements, where plastic and non-biodegradable waste are increasingly common.

Seva Mandir works with communities and panchayats (elected village councils) to introduce village waste management systems. Efforts include waste collection, segregation, and local recycling.

Raising awareness about sanitation and environmental health through community meetings, school activities, and training sessions is another important component.

In several villages, community action has already transformed areas once used for open dumping into clean public spaces.

05/14/2026

In southern Rajasthan, many rural women have had few opportunities to attend school.

Seva Mandir has begun adult literacy classes in 13 village learning centers, designed to help women learn reading and writing skills equivalent to an early primary school education.

For many participants, these classes represent their first formal education experience.

Local facilitators conduct regular classes, teaching practical literacy skills to help women manage finances, read documents, and support their children’s education.

Thank you for helping Friends of Seva Mandir support this work.

05/04/2026

Women across Seva Mandir’s work area organize themselves into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to save money, access credit, and support one another in times of need.

More than 28,000 women are active in nearly 1,900 SHGs across hundreds of villages. Members contribute small monthly savings to form collective funds used for loans, emergencies, and small business investments.

Beyond financial support, these groups often become spaces where women also discuss social issues like early marriage, domestic violence, and access to government services.

These collectives strengthen women’s financial independence while building networks of mutual support within their communities.

04/29/2026

Groundwater depletion is becoming a serious concern in many parts of southern Rajasthan. In several villages, water demand already far outstrips supply.

Seva Mandir works with communities to develop village water security plans that help people understand how water is used and how it can be managed more sustainably.

Through workshops and mapping exercises, villagers analyze supply and demand, identify areas of shortage, and plan solutions like water conservation structures and improved irrigation practices.

These community-led plans help villages make informed decisions about managing their water resources for the future.

04/23/2026

Access to safe drinking water remains a challenge in many rural hamlets unreached by public systems.

Seva Mandir works with communities to repair handpumps, restore wells, and build decentralized drinking water systems for remote settlements. Village committees and self-help groups help manage the systems and collect small contributions for maintenance.

Recently, repairs to handpumps in 13 villages restored safe drinking water access for more than 400 households, while new drinking water systems are being constructed to serve additional communities.

Community participation plays an important role in ensuring that these systems continue functioning long after installation.

Thank you for helping to make this critical work possible through your support of Friends of Seva Mandir.

Address

Edison, NJ
08817

Telephone

(732) 393-0034 Ext 36

Website

http://www.friendsofsevamandir.org/

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