S.H.E.D.) got established and involved in 1983 in the slums of Mumbai, at the request of the Dharavi slum community. There was then a 'Dada' for every street, and I came across groups of children who were employed in brewing alcohol for them, instead of going to school, lured by a good salary with a free daily lunch! Under the mafia lords in Dharavi, the crime rate was horrendous.

To begin with, I held a meeting with over ninety of the Dadas and asked what future they planned for their youth apart from their criminal activities. While succeeding in convincing them that there could be a better and more promising future while abiding by the law, it was true, as they said, that there was inadequate schooling and absolutely no skill training facilities available in the slum at that time.

We agreed to try and start Vocational Training. When I said that no teachers would feel safe in coming there, they promised absolute security to our Centre if we started work there. They have kept their word. With sound advice from Shri Vijay Merchant whom I consulted, we established SHED with a group of caring citizens and the people of Dharavi. With support from the Municipality and the Police whenever required, we started off and have carried on.

Thereafter, Health, Immunization, Family Planning, work on Gender equity as well as Vocational Training with value based guidance stressing non-violence, national integration and citizenship for the young were S.H.E.Ds first steps. SHED established Balwadis for over 900 children with a nutritious mid morning snack cum meal and health coverage as well. Our Centres were established in the slums of Jogeshwari, Sagbaug, (Andheri), Kalina and in 80 tribal and rural hamlets in Thane District. Vocational Training has been for livelihoods for the underprivileged, Education with Gender Sensitivity through Balwadis and supportive study or Bridge classes for the eradication of Child Labour are provided. Population Control, AIDS awareness health and hygiene as well as values with non-violence, communal harmony, national integration and civic sense are always stressed and this awareness has become a part of the life of the participants.

SHED is also deeply involved in a movement for Peace, Non-violence and Communal Harmony in the largest slums in Mumbai in an effort to counter the wave of hatred and killing that has been engulfing us. I do believe that it is partly because of this work that the 'Dadas' influence is now minimal in Dharavi. We were deeply involved in relief and rehabilitation work, with re-equipping 6000 homes and rehabilitating 132 widows, placing Hindu Social workers in the shattered Muslim areas, and Muslim Social workers in similar Hindu areas, and rebuilding over 700 pucca houses after the '83 Bhiwandi and Bombay riots. Again, after the 1992 outbreak, S.H.E.Ds personnel were fully involved in help and rehabilitation work, in spreading harmony and an amazing sense of communal understanding in Dharavi and several other slums.

Society’s Philosophy :- The Dignity of the Human Being and Equality for all, irrespective of caste, creed or colour.

Vision:- To help formation of a just, participatory, self-reliant and sustainable society, where people from the socially and economically backward communities, especially tribals and women, will have the right and freedom to decide, plan and lead a life of their own choice without fear of threat from any one, and will be equal partners in the spheres of their Development, with a girl child’s right to Education, a happy and healthy childhood, and protection from abuse and labour.

Mission :- To empower the underprivileged, marginalized and vulnerable sections of Society, especially Women and Girls through activities promoting self reliance and human dignity, with an involvement in values.

Shed’s Role :- SHED’s role is mainly catalytic in nature. We believe that development schemes should not create a sense of dependency among the slum dwellers /tribals & other socially and economically backward communities. Therefore, the best that can done is to prepare the target groups to take decisions for themselves and equip them with the necessary organizational and leadership capacities so that they can confidence, and also be prepared to determine their own future.

Founder :- SHED’s role is mainly catalytic in nature. We believe that development schemes should not create a sense of dependency among the slum dwellers /tribals & other socially and economically backward communities. Therefore, the best that can done is to prepare the target groups to take decisions for themselves and equip them with the necessary organizational and leadership capacities so that they can confidence, and also be prepared to determine their own future.

Board of committee :-

Rajendra Tawde Chief Executive   Dr. M.R. Prabhu Hon. Treasurer   Smt. Urmila Jain Vice President, SHED

Founder Members :-

Governing Council Members :-

Executive Committee Members :-