Charities
Gram Vikas Trust (GVT) came into existence as a result of the motivation and personal initiative of its founder, Mr. Ramesh Kasondra, to enhance the socio-economic status of the underprivileged people. Hailing from a rural family, the founder was no stranger to hardships faced by the underprivileged. Having overcome economic and social challenges, due to the backing and economic blessings from certain elder society leaders, the founder set out to do his best to make a positive difference in the lives of fellow underprivileged. Working with a team of committed people, GVT’s aim has been to secure integrated development through people’s participation. The key areas identified for interventions include child rights, education, health and hygiene, sustainable livelihood, and women empowerment. Our efforts have developed lasting association with government, non-government and corporate organizations as also with the communities and groups with whom we have worked. We have come a long way following a small beginning in June 2001, and have implemented a wide variety of projects related to child rights for change, reproductive child health care, quality education, watershed development, wasteland development, tribal development, low cost sanitation, alternate energy sources, self-help groups, vocational training to youth, and women empowerment in Bharuch and Narmada Districts of Gujarat state in India.
Grantown Museum is owned by Grantown Museum & Heritage Trust. Our team consists of a professional manager, a curator and a group of dedicated volunteers. The Trust has over 200 members, with a Board of Directors elected from the membership. Members pay an annual subscription. Our volunteers help the museum with fundraising events and in the shop and Tourist Information Centre. The museum is a major community initiative and remains an ongoing community project. Burnfield House, home of the museum, was purchased in 1995 for £150,000, raised entirely from private sources. A further £300,000 was raised, with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. We officially opened our doors to the public in April 1999. The campanile outside Burnfield House was built to house the restored town bell in 2006 with funding provided by the Bulmer Trust.
GAR was founded in 1989 and works to alleviate the suffering of animals in Greece by supporting a number of animal shelters, sterilising as many dogs & cats as funds allow and finding homes for the lucky few in the UK and several other EU countries.