Society Shapers Network
The mission of SocietyShapers.com is to create a network of dedicated, volunteer activists
passionate about uplifting the underprivileged, underserved people in their communities.
Focus is on transformation at the community level, leading to change that is meaningful and sustainable!
“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is cast unto the water, the actions of even one individual can have a far-reaching effect.“ – Dalai Lama
Background - Rejuvenate India Movement, Madhya Pradesh
Malnutrition is a key contributor to rural poverty in India.
Not having a household member with at least 6 years of education
is the second largest contributor, followed by lack of
clean drinking water and child mortality.
In 2013 Rejuvenate India Movement (RIM) was initiated in Madhya Pradesh to address some of these issues and in 2022 the name was changed to Sankalp Samaj Shilpi Project.
The work during the past 12 years has been supported by India Friends Association (IFA) based in Southern California, USA.The primary focus is on kids malnutrition & health and education, women’s health and empowerment, and ensuring that villagers receive all available government benefits and entitlements. It includes assisting local farmers adopt new techniques (drip irrigation, organic farming). It facilitates employment under NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and provides helps get micro loans for small businesses.
The Samaj Shilpi model consists of recruiting a young person from a village – a Samaj Shilpi (Society Shaper) supported by a network of 10 -15 local volunteers, Gram Mitras or Friends of the Movement (FoM). The Samaj Shilpi is the crucial bridge between the government officials and the villagers and works directly through the FoM network at the village level. Comprehensive training is provided by the Program Manager to the Samaj Shilpis and the FoM network – currently 3200 strong – on how to address local issues faced by the community and mobilize government entitlements and resources for the benefit of the villagers.
IFA’s support was initiated in 2013 in 10 villages and has seen a string of significant, yearly successes. During 2024-2025 fiscal year Samaj Shilpi Project was active in more than 250 villages! Duing this period it has directly helped about 17,000 people and in addition ensured that more than 84,000 school going kids received a hot daily meal!
The Samaj Shilpi model has evolved over the years by innovating, leveraging and enhancing its outreach and effectiveness. It has emerged as an exciting model for rural development and social change. Significant current effort is towards ensuring future sustainability of this approach. Each FoM volunteer network at the village level is now being expanded into a Gram Vikas Samiti by including additional local women and others keenly interested in village development. GVS is one of the keys to sustainability. - Establishing effective relationships with Government agencies, the village Gram Panchayats and existing Women Self Help Groups (SHGs). As an example, the Samaj Shilpis assist SHG members get small loans to start microenterprises and receive assistance in exchange from the SHGs (4500 women members) – in ensuring that local kids go to school, get wholesome, hot midday meals, and both kids and prenatal/post-natal women receive regular health checkups.
Widespread Use of Mobile phones, WhatsApp and Zoom for timely sharing of information on local needs and new government schemes keep leading to ongoing successes. All these innovations together now allow one Samaj Shilpi to manage 25 villages!
