Journey of SAMPARC
SAMPARC Brief History 1990-2025
The Journey of SAMPARC: From a Humble Beginning to a National Impact
SAMPARC (Social Action for Manpower Creation) began its journey in 1990 with a simple yet profound purpose: to give orphaned, destitute children and children of sex workers a new identity, free from social stigma and discrimination. Founded at the foothills of the historic Bhaje Caves near Lonavala, SAMPARC started with just seven orphan children in a modest mud house.
This life-transforming initiative was the brainchild of Shri Amitkumar Banerjee, a visionary who recognized the urgent need for a nurturing and respectful environment where such children could grow with dignity, love, and equal opportunities. He believed that no child should be labelled as an “orphan” or the “child of a sex worker”—they deserve to be known simply as children of the community.
With a heart full of compassion and a clear vision for social upliftment, Shri Banerjee dedicated his life to the holistic development of these marginalized children, both physically, mentally, and emotionally. His journey was not easy. He often faced extreme hardships, including hunger, and sacrificed his own family’s comforts to meet the children's needs. Yet, his unwavering determination laid the strong foundation of what SAMPARC is today.
Under his care, children at SAMPARC never felt orphaned—they were raised with parental love, discipline, and the support required to grow into self-reliant, confident individuals. Today, many of these children are successfully settled in life, holding responsible positions in reputed organizations. Several girls have been married and are living dignified lives, all thanks to the values and opportunities provided by SAMPARC under Shri Banerjee’s leadership.
The Strength of Collective Effort
SAMPARC's journey from a small home for a few orphaned children to a nationally recognized organization supporting over 650 children across India is a true reflection of unwavering commitment and collective effort. This remarkable transformation would not have been possible without the consistent support and dedication of the SAMPARC Board of Trustees, as well as a strong and devoted network of well-wishers, advisors, and donors who believed in the vision of the organization.
From its early days, SAMPARC was fortunate to have the steadfast support of visionary individuals who stood beside the organization through every challenge. Esteemed personalities such as Shri K.K. Singhvi, Smt. Pushpa Singhvi, Dr. Lalit Chokhani, Dr. A.M. Soman, Dr. Manda Soman, Shri V.H. Lakhe, Shri Pradeep Lakhe, Rtn. Ajay Argade, Shri Madan Pande, Smt. Ratna Banerjee and Smt. Lata Pande played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of SAMPARC. Their generous contribution of time, knowledge, and continuous encouragement helped build a nurturing environment for hundreds of underprivileged children.
Today, SAMPARC continues to grow under the guidance of a dynamic Board of Trustees, like Mr. Anil Singhvi, a renowned corporate professional; Mrs. Kiran Arya, Chairperson of Ruchika Women’s Club, Mumbai; and Dr. Lalit Chokhani, a respected medical expert, bring their vision, expertise, and compassion to the forefront of SAMPARC’s operations. Their involvement, under the enduring leadership of Shri Amitkumar Banerjee, ensures that the organization remains grounded in its mission while expanding its reach and deepening its impact on the lives of children across the country.
Recognitions and Milestones
From a humble beginning in the quiet village of Bhaje, SAMPARC has grown into a beacon of hope for countless underprivileged children and a nationally recognized child welfare organization. Its journey, rooted in compassion and commitment, has been marked by dedication to transforming lives through care, education, and empowerment. The prestigious National Child Welfare Award, conferred by the Government of India, stands as a proud testament to SAMPARC’s unwavering efforts and remarkable achievements in the field of child welfare.
Today, with 14 project locations across multiple states and a committed team of 294 full-time and part-time staff members, SAMPARC continues to expand its reach while remaining grounded in its core mission of empowering lives and building secure, dignified futures for disadvantaged children. Each project reflects the organization’s grassroots strength, community integration, and holistic development approach.
The impactful work of SAMPARC has been made possible through the generous and heartfelt support of several respected individuals and philanthropic institutions who have stood with the organization through its journey. Distinguished supporters include Mr. Ramesh Kacholia, Mr. M.D. Khattar, the EdelGive Foundation, Mrs. Lucilla Monti, Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, Adv. Parag Erande, Mr. Kanahaya, Mr. Balasaheb Chitale, and esteemed judicial figures such as Justice Dhanuka and Justice Jhunjhunwala.
In addition to institutional and individual supporters, members of the Indian film industry have also extended their encouragement and solidarity to SAMPARC’s mission. Celebrated personalities like Mr. Dilip Prabhavalkar, Mrs. Tanuja Mukherjee, Ms. Sharvari Jamenis, and Mr. Swapnil Joshi have contributed to raising awareness and inspiring many others to support the noble cause championed by SAMPARC.
A Family Behind the Mission
The backbone of SAMPARC is its extended family of supporters and well-wishers who have stood firmly behind its mission, offering their time, resources, and unwavering faith in its vision. Shri K.K. Singhvi, a distinguished Senior Advocate, played a pivotal role by taking on the position of President of SAMPARC, providing crucial legal guidance and leadership at every step. Dr. A.M. Soman and Dr. Manda Soman made significant contributions to improving children’s healthcare and spreading awareness among women, thereby strengthening the health and community outreach components of the organization.
The Lakhe family extended generous support by allowing SAMPARC to operate from their residence in its formative years, with Shri Pradeep Lakhe offering valuable direction in shaping the organization’s financial strategies and management practices. Mrs. Lata Pande, with the support of her husband, Mr. Madan Pande, gave herself fully to the growth and development of SAMPARC, ensuring its programs were effectively implemented with compassion and care. Meanwhile, Mrs. Ratna Banerjee dedicated herself to managing the Children’s Home at Bhaje with love and commitment, enabling Mr. Amitkumar Banerjee to focus on the larger vision of expanding SAMPARC’s reach and impact across the country.
Looking Ahead
SAMPARC is more than an NGO—it is a movement that nurtures hope, dignity, and change. What began as a small act of compassion has now transformed into a pan-India initiative that continues to change lives every single day.
With your support, we aim to build on this legacy—empowering more children, touching more lives, and shaping a more inclusive society.
Brief Summary of The Journey Mr. Amitkumar Banerjee, his team and his work of Samparc
SAMPARC was started by Mr. Amitkumar Banerjee & Ms. Lata Pande officially on 1st January 1990 without any financial help either from Government or any other source. Balsadan was started in a small rented house in village Bhaje with 7 orphan children.
Started Pre-primary school for 125 children between age group of 3-5 years from nearby villages of Bhaje, Lohgad, and Gherevadi. Modestly educated women from the villages were taken as teachers to teach these children.
5 staff joined the SAMPARC to work without salary.
Received License from State Government of Maharashtra to run Balsadan for 20 children.
Tried hard for 1 year to get permission to purchase a piece of land near Bhaje caves and constructed a mud house.
Started Health Education Program on topics like Women’s Health, Nutrition, Drinking Water, kitchen garden and health awareness program which was benefited by 200 children and 100 villagers.
There was severe shortage of Water; a successful bore well was laid which benefited not only the children in Bhaje Balgram but also the villagers during summer.
Under Central Government Scheme a 1 year course of Bamboo Cane Training was taken which benefited 25 boys and girls who were taught to make products out of Bamboo Cane.
Took training of Agarbatti making for 40 women from Lohagad.
After overcoming many obstacles permission was granted for first RCC construction of Kalyan Bal sadan in Bhaje.
Received another permission for 20 children and the strength of children increased to 40 children.
SAMPARC carried non formal educational program for 178 cowherd children & brought all these children under the level of 5th standard & subsequently provided them with Vocational Training.
SAMPARC received FCRA registration from Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India.
The IGSS helped SAMPARC to conduct training for Health Community worker and Women Empowerment.
Planted 35000 saplings with the help of villagers and started the work on environment regeneration.
Conducted first health Camp which was benefitted by 600 families. Organized cataract operation camp and post operation care.
Created abundant resources for 400 women from 6 villages by establishing Mahila Mandal, a platform through various social issues like, legal laws, child marriage, preventing alcohol issues. They were addressed along with small skill oriented training awareness was conducted.
Rigoures training on Agriculture conducted for small and marginal farmers and for exposure and extra knowledge they were taken to ideal village Ralegan Siddhi.
To increase the capacity of staff and youth, SAMPARC Conducted 6 pre-primary training courses, 5 Bal Bhavan training, 4 informal education training, training for staff of 4 Balgrams and also conducted Participatory Research Appraisal for staff of SAMPARC.
SAMPARC started first Vocational Training Centre in rented house at Patan Village.
The second RCC home was constructed which helped accommodation of 60 children.
SAMPARC received permission from Income Tax Department to issue 100% tax exemption on donation under 35 AC.
A full-fledged focus on women empowerment programme was started by SAMPARC and formed 9 SHG’s in Bhaje and 5 SHG’s in 5 villages near Vandra.
Awareness camp in Vandra village on Women’s Rights, Women’s Health was conducted along with Pre-Primary school in 5 villages.
150 children from 4 centers were benefitted through Balbhavan and camps, competitions and picnics which were organized for children.
Conducted Folk songs, and folk dance competitions which helped women to come closer to SAMPARC.
Vocational Training Centre from Bhaje was shifted to Malavli and training on Electric Wireman and Welding along with soft toy making was started.
Pushpa Sadan was constructed at Bhaje Balgram
SAMPARC became a Member of AFARM.
Smt. Lata Pande received the FICCI Award for her devoted work with rural women.
600 women came together and started 14 SHG’s. Loan was given to 170 women and a transaction of 2 lakhs was completed.
Two Balsadan’s and overhead water tank were constructed.
VTC hall in Bhaje was constructed for conducting training programs along with Kitchen and Dining Hall for organizing camps.
Discussion on Child Rights was organized in Bhaje in which UNICEF, CANSAVE, Government Department and Social organizations participated.
Organised get together of 200 women from different fields and conducted various workshops on rights of the women.
70 Gunta land was purchased in the backside of Bhaje Balgram which was used for cultivating Rice, fruits and vegetables
Preparing and distributing Auyervedic medicines was started
SAMPARC started its second center in Bhambarde in a rented hostel for 23 boys and girls of 8th, 9th and 10th class belonging to nearby villages to help them to go to school.
On 24th March 1998, Government of India awarded SAMPARC the “National Child Welfare Award’’ by the hands of President of India, Shri K. R. Narayanan and it was received by President of SAMPARC Shri K. K. Singhvi.
Purchased a land in Bhambarde to construct a Hostel.
1200 women from 26 villages joined Women Empowerment program.
Organised a training program for 500 women in which they were given training by Bank Officials on Saving Schemes and Small Scale Industries.
Constructed a small bridge near the waterfall area in Bhaje.
Constructed School & hostel at Bhambarde.
SAMPARC started its third center in new Balgram for 20 children in a rented house in Poynad, Alibag district.
SAMPARC started its forth center in a small place in Shel-Pimpalgaon, near Chakan.
Women empowerment spread to 40 villages in which training, setting up business, running a SHG, and developing villages through SHG had started. Women of SHG’s started their women Credit Society.
Bhambarde hostel was started with 16 students and around 60-70 students from nearby villages started to attend coaching classes on Saturday and Sunday in Bhambarde Hostel.
8 Centre’s of pre-primary school was started in Bhambarde which benefitted 160 children.
Under the women Empowerment programme training on kitchen garden was given to 105 house members of Bhaje and Bhambarde areas.
SAMPARC started its first small Medical Centre at Bhambarde and one Doctor was appointed to visit nearby villages and to distribute Medicines to patients.
Nanhi Kali Program was started in which girls from nearby villages were given school uniform, stationary and all education material.
SAMPARC expanded its first center out of Maharashtra and started Balgram in a rented house for 25 children in Gujarat for earthquake affected children.
Seema from Bhaje Balgram got an opportunity to learn French for 1 year from University of France, with the help of her sponsor.
To develop health of villager’s, dental check- up and vaccination of Mother and Child was conducted in Maval and Mulshi Taluka.
A small medical center Medical Centre and office was constructed at Bhaje Balgram.
SAMPARC Started first 8th Class in Bhambarde School.
SAMPARC Purchased land to build a school & hostel in Bhambarde.
Book Bank was started for poor children in Bhaje.
Senior children from Bhaje after completing their higher education and vocational training got employed in different fields. These children were first generation children of SAMPARC Balgram. Many children are doing either nursing course or different courses in Colleges.
Mr. Amitkumar Banerjee received the ‘Garware Balbhavan Award’ for his outstanding contribution in the field of child welfare and development
Mr. Amit Kumar Banerjee received the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Award’ at district level from Rajiv Gandhi Vichar Manch, Pune for his contribution in Child Welfare Activities.
SAMPARC Bhaje Balgram received the ‘Samajik Seva Puraskar’ from Shree Datta Mandir Trust.
SAMPARC Poynad Balgram received the ‘Samajik Seva Puraskar’ by Shree Bhakta Pant Mandal, Pezari, dist. Raigad for its devoted contribution in the field of child development.
Started new primary school at Bhaje which helped to develop the I.Q and general knowledge of the children. They also started to learn computers and were able to learn 2 languages at a time.
Smt. Lata Pande received the ‘Saraswati Samajseva Gauravpatra by Bhagini Nivedita Pratishthan
To reserve the rain water for school & hostel at Bhambarde SAMPARC constructed Check Dam.
Bhambarde school and Hostel from 8th -10th class was started. First batch of 10th class students attended Board Exam.
SAMPARC started Ankur program in Latur district to support an organization to give best services to orphan & needy children.
Smt. Lata Pande received the ‘Samajgaurav Puraskar’ by Tukdoji Maharaj Pratisthan for her committed and continuous contribution in the field of child welfare.
SAMPARC Constructed 2 new balsadans in Poynad which helped to accommodate more 30 children.
2 Days seminar was conducted for development of residential children which was inaugurated by Shri. Patangrao Kadam.
During this year 5 senior children of SAMPARC Balgram were married.
A place was purchased in Pune in Shaniwarpeth for accommodating senior college going children.
Started balsadan in a rented house for children of commercial sex workers at Behla in Kolkata.
SAMPARC Balgram Anjar, Gujrat received 2 awards from Government of Gujrat and Local Institute for working for uppftment of earthquake affected children.
Bhambarde Gramin Vidya Vikas Kendra was awarded the “Best School” in Mulshi taluka
SAMPARC procured piece of land at Malvap.
SAMPARC started the construction of small medical center and VTC at Malvap Center.
SAMPARC got a project named Bal Asha Ghar from India Sponsorship Committee. A center for the rehabiptation of children of sex workers.
SAMPARC has been honored with the “Late Jayantrao Tilak Smruti Puraskar” by Kesari-Maratha Trust, Pune.
Two senior children of SAMPARC were married during this period.
Facilities for X-Ray, E.C.G. and Operation Theatre for conducting minor operations were added in the Medical Centre.
One Medical Mobile Van was started which visits 25 rural interior villages to give medical facilities.
Organised Mahila Melava for women of 40 villages.
SAMPARC Shel-Pimpalgaon Balgram was inaugurated.
Completed construction of 4 new classrooms in Bhambarde.
Formation of Local Level Managing Committee to take responsibility and manage the Project.
SAMPARC received “Gaurav Puruskar” by Solapur Dharasavi Mandal.
SAMPARC started Housing Project for the poor women’s beneficiaries of SHG with financial assistance from Ex- President of America Mr. Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanity.
SAMPARC started Engpsh medium school for the education of children of surrounding villages at Housing Project, Patan.
With the help of CAPART Shallow Well Project for the village Ghutka, near Bhambarde was undertaken where 10 wells were dug for Small and marginal farmers.
Free legal advice and Family Counsepng Centre was started for women suffering from domestic violence.
Started Basic Agricultural training center for youth and farmers of nearby villages of Bhambarde.
SAMPARC started a project for neglected children of the stone quarry workers in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
SAMPARC is going to start children’s hopday home at Ganpatipule and for this purpose about ½ acre of land has been procured on April 27th 2009.
Started Community Education Support program for 110 children in Anjar, Gujarat.
Inauguration of SAMPARC VTC Hostel which was built to accommodate 100 students in Malvap.
SAMPARC received “ Ahimsa Puruskar for service to mankind by Bhgawan Mahavir Ahimsa Trust, Pune
SAMPARC started Balgram for 30-40 orphan children in Goa.
SAMPARC started Vocational Training Centre at Pune for uppftment of poor and economically backward youth.
Looking at the need of small hospital for at least 14 beds SAMPARC has taken up construction of Hospital at Malavp
SAMPARC received 1 acre land in Jodhpur to build a Balgram.
Constructed Jodhpur Balgram at Village Gangani to accommodate 50 stone quarry children of Rajasthan.
SAMPARC Medical Center added one more Mobile Medical unit to cover more 18 village of Maval Taluka, Pune Dist.
SAMPARC intervened livelihood project started the work on Ailla Cyclone affected community of 5 villages of West Bengal.
A new building for senior boys’ children constructed in Ganpatipule.
SAMPARC Jodhpur center started community education support program in Gangani Village.
SAMPARC Anjar Balgram started Community education support programme in 3 slums of Anjar City.
To accommodate 150 orphan & needy girls of different orphanages in Maharashtra, an after care home for girls was constructed at SAMPARC Malvali Center.
SAMPARC constructed 4 more classrooms in Bhambarde to run Jr. College.
SAMPARC started a unique project for the upliftment of tribal children and community under tribal development project in 28 villages of Mulshi Taluka.
Oxfam joined the hands of SAMPARC to work on RTE project in 7 schools of Bhambarde area.
SAMPARC intervene in quality education through ABL (Activity Based Learning) and supported 680 students of Nagar District.
SAMPARC started integrated project in 10 villages of Beed district of Maharashtra.
A separate Girls VTC was constructed at Malvali Center.
SAMPARC started to promote Netball International Game in Maharashtra.
Mr. Amitkumar Banerjee received “Mourya Gosavi Award” for special contribution towards the care and protection of orphan and destitute children.
SAMPARC completed the construction of Girls Hostel, at Bhambarde to accommodate 100 children.
SAMPARC conducted leadership training for 225 minority women of Pune District.
SAMPARC started Counseling service for slow learner children and increased the capacity of 41 schools’ teachers on child phycology and behavior.
SAMPARC started capacity building training for staff of 700 residential institutes in Maharashtra.
SAMPARC netball team won national level tournament on Netball at Kerla.
Mrs. Ratna Banerjee received “Ahilyabai Holkar Award” By Women and Child Development Department. Govt of Maharashtra.
SAMPARC started its another VTC for girls at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
SAMPARC completed the construction of three sadan at Bhaje Balgram to accommodate 60 children.
SAMPARC expanded its West Bengal activities and intervened in Community education support and livelihood programme in four district of West Bengal.
SAMPARC VTC center various job oriented course under training center and ensured 100% placement of rural poor students.
SAMPARC started a mass level digital (Computer) literacy drive and trained more than 1200 students of Pune district.
SAMPARC completed construction of New Vocational Training Centre at Malavli. The VTC centre will now help to extend skill development support to empower more poor rural school dropouts to become employed in the nearby industries or to be self-employed.
SAMPARC Heritage Walk-Glory of Maharashtra , organized on 27th November 2016, attended by 3000 participants for the cause to support SAMPARC orphan and needy children and to enlist Bhaje caves, karla caves, Bedse caves Visapur & Lohagad fort in the World Heritage List.
Children from SAMPARC Bal Asha Ghar Children’s Home Arvind Gurum & Ganesh Langote bagged Gold Medal in Open State level Taekwondo Competition.
4 Girl Students from SAMPARC Grameen Vidyavikas Kendra, Bhambarde represented Maharashtra State Netball Team and bagged 3rd Position at National Level.
