Helpus Vikas Social Welfare Foundation

Helpus Vikas Social Welfare Foundation is based in a small town called Tasgaon in the Sangli district. Specifically, we are located at Shirgaon, near the Marathishala. The office is at Laxman Shiva Mane’s place, number 9. It’s a very local setup. We don't have a big building with glass windows. It is just a house where we have set aside some space for the foundation’s work. Most of the people involved are from the village itself. We know everyone’s name and their families too. The work we do is mostly social welfare, which means we deal with a lot of different issues people have. We might be sitting on the porch talking to someone one day, and the next we are filling out forms for a government scheme. Being near the Marathishala means there are always kids around and it’s a lively spot. We’ve been operating from Shirgaon because it’s home. It’s easier for people to come talk to us when we are right there in the neighborhood. We don't have much of a staff, just a few volunteers and family members who help out. It’s simple work, but it’s honest. We try to keep things moving along even when resources are tight. Tasgaon is a quiet place most of the time, and we like it that way. We spend our evenings sitting outside, talking about what needs to be done next for the village and its people.