Get to know us

Our mission

We create sustainable solutions for menstrual health and to ensure children in need have school supplies—building a stronger community one family at a time through local action.

Our vision

A society where every girl can pursue her education without barriers, every woman raising children alone has the support and opportunities to thrive, and every child has access to quality education regardless of their economic circumstances.

Friends with a common goal...

To ensure every child in Chandigarh and surrounding communities has equal access to education by eliminating barriers that prevent school attendance. We provide comprehensive menstrual health education and hygienic products to girls, while supplying essential school materials to underprivileged children. Through sustainable programs and community partnerships, we create lasting solutions that enable all children to reach their full educational potential with dignity and hope.

Shivani Sidhu

Co-Founder
Mobile: +917717366946

Shivani Grewal

Co-Founder
Mobile: +919855500033

Manisha Kaushal

Founding Advisor
Mobile: +918872111746

Shivani Sidhu holds a Bachelors in law from Punjab University, Chandigarh and Masters in law from Kingston University, London. She has practiced as a Barrister& Solicitor in British Columbia, Canada.

Having grown up in India, Shivani has witnessed firsthand the barriers faced by underprivileged women and children in our society.

Due to lack of awareness of basic women’s hygiene, there are many health issues and even death. Even if they have awareness, they lack the resources to buy sanitary products.

Shivani is also deeply passionate about education and believes that everyone deserves a chance to uplift themselves and this can only be done through good education. She is determined to make a change and give back to society. Her vision is to uplift the women and children and empower them to create lasting community impact.

Fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi, Shivani ensures the NGO's program’s reach diverse communities effectively.

Shivani Grewal has two decades of experience in corporate communications, strategic liaising, and driving high-impact organizational initiatives. Holding an MBA in Marketing and a background in media and strategic communications, she has built a career around shaping narratives that connect communities and inspire collective action.

Her commitment to social impact is grounded in the everyday realities of the community. She has observed how the absence of simple learning resources can compromise a child’s future and inadequate access to women’s health resources can restrict opportunities, hinder independence, and impact overall well-being. She believes social change is not the task of a few but a shared responsibility, where each act of care strengthens the community.

At Sahyog Sanstha, Shivani applies her professional acumen with empathy and humility, advancing initiatives in education and women's health.

Haldahalli Vijayalakshmi Bheemasena
Education Program Advisor

Maneesha Kaushal, a Master’s in English (Hons), is a homemaker who has devoted herself to volunteer work with several NGOs in and around Chandigarh. Over the years, she has actively contributed to initiatives supporting child education, women’s health, orphanages, and hunger.

At Sahyog Sanstha, Maneesha channels her time and energy towards advancing education for children and creating awareness around women’s health and hygiene. She plays an active role in community programs, encouraging open conversations on issues that are often silenced and working to ensure that women and children have access to basic resources that can transform their everyday lives.

Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that real change is helping a child gain access to learning or supporting women in addressing health challenges with awareness and sensitivity.

Vijayalakshmi is a distinguished educationist, she holds a postgraduate degree in English and a Master's in Education.

She founded "Vidya Vihar" school in 1982 with a vision to provide quality education to middle-class and lower middle-class children. She is well aware of how a lack of educational resources affects underprivileged children's academic performance and believes individual attention and proper resources can transform the way they perform.

Her exceptional work in education has earned her many accolades and recognition from prominent figures, including former Education Minister Dr. P.V. Ranga Rao and the late Ms. Sushma Swaraj.

She has also received the Best Teacher Award and multiple felicitations from Lions Clubs across districts for her commitment to educational excellence.

Vijayalakshmi is passionate about holistic education, combining academics with moral values. Her vision is to ensure every child receives quality education regardless of their economic background, creating lasting community impact through educational empowerment.

Gurnaaz Sidhu

Student Liaison Officer

Gurnaaz Sidhu is a passionate advocate for women's and children's welfare, currently completing her education at Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School in Chandigarh. As our Student Liaison Officer, Gurnaaz bridges the vital connection between our NGO and the young people we serve, bringing fresh perspectives and authentic understanding to our mission.

Having witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by her peers—from menstrual health stigma to educational barriers—Gurnaaz is deeply committed to creating meaningful change in her community. Her role focuses on mobilizing student volunteers, coordinating peer education programmes, and ensuring that youth voices shape our initiatives from the ground up.

Gurnaaz's upcoming studies in Psychology will deepen her ability to address the emotional and mental health dimensions of our work, particularly in supporting single mothers and creating safe, empowering spaces for adolescent girls. She understands that lasting social change requires not just resources, but genuine empathy and psychological insight into the barriers that keep women and children from reaching their full potential.

As Student Liaison Officer, Gurnaaz leads awareness campaigns in schools, recruits and trains peer educators for menstrual health workshops, and helps design youth-friendly communication strategies. Her energy, authenticity, and unwavering belief that every child deserves access to education and dignity make her an invaluable member of our team.

Gurnaaz represents the next generation of changemakers—young people who refuse to accept inequality and are willing to roll up their sleeves to build a more just society, one conversation and one community at a time.

Aarna Seth

Director of Global Communications

Aarna Seth is an 11th-grade student from the United States who believes that one person’s voice can spark real change. As President of both the Speech and Debate Club and the Model United Nations team at her school, Aarna works to empower others to think critically, speak confidently, and take action on the issues that matter most.

Aarna is also the co-founder of GEWL, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and driving meaningful impact on women’s education. Through this work and her DECA project, Aarna continues to spread awareness and advocate for this cause, believing that education and empathy are the first steps toward real progress.

She plans to study psychology and later practice family law, combining advocacy and understanding to support families and children. Above all, she is committed to making a lasting impact and inspiring others to use their voices for good.