Yoganjali is a registered Public Charitable Trust established in 1974. It works for upliftment of humanity. Yoganjali tries to provide help to the weakest of the remote areas and also tries to bring out their hidden ability. It started activities from educating the rural boys and girls and then expanded it in the field of Women Empowerment, Health, Rural Development and Spiritual development. Yoganjali is especially concentrated to assist the weakest of the society –women by providing them temporary shelter, means of livelihood, educate them for their legal rights and encourage them to live self dependently.
Ramilaben Gandhi, the spiritual fountain head of Yoganjali, sowed the seeds from this prayer into her mission and which broke the ground in 1974 and Yoganjali was born.
Over the years, with single-minded dedication, determination and devotion from Ms. Ramilaben Gandhi, Yoganjali has now grown into a Kalpataru tree. The branches of Kalpataru now give sister’s solace to the deserted women, home to the socio-economically challenged children and mother’s hand to the lost youth. Yoganjali is a living testimony of how a helpless woman, with all social and economic apartheid can look forward to self-supporting and dignified living.
Over the years, with single-minded dedication, determination and devotion from Ms. Ramilaben Gandhi, Yoganjali has now grown into a Kalpataru tree. The branches of Kalpataru now give sister’s solace to the deserted women, home to the socio-economically challenged children and mother’s hand to the lost youth. Yoganjali is a living testimony of how a helpless woman, with all social and economic apartheid can look forward to self-supporting and dignified living.
Ramilaben Gandhi shares her feelings “Every individual faces a challenge in his/her life, but if the person keeps faith and trust, such trials can lead to beautiful innovations/creations. I was motivated to live with the most marginalized, work for the most marginalized from the great saints and others who had dedicated their lives for the poor. When I was with the Sarvamangalam Ashram in Sagodiya, I taught children from Dethali village of Siddhpur Block. These children became my inspiration and I laid the foundation of the Ashram at the banks of the pond in Ganeshpura village of Siddhpur Block. Bit by bit I secured 4.0 acres land from the Government. There were many challenges at the local level. Because of this, it took 8-10 years to stabilize Yoganjali. Time brings its own sets of challenges and tests; but all said and the present is much more progressive than the past. But the progress at Yoganjali has to go on. And for this cooperation of our well wishers is inevitable.”
In the initial days, other welfare services were also started along with provision of educational facilities. These included houses for the homeless and those affected by the flood, rejuvenating the ponds in the nearby villages, repairing of roads, grains distribution to poor families, training centres for women, eye camps, nurseries for small children in the villages, conventions and ‘padyatra’ (Walking over long distances in groups with a specific purpose), formation of youth groups, gatherings for youth etc.
Schools and hostels for children belonging to economically backward and marginalized families, shelter homes for the welfare of deserted, widowed, and socially ostracized women and a rural livelihood center was set up.