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About us

Pragati Magaswargiya Mahila Sanstha (PMMS), Bhandara

Established in 1997, is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities through education, livelihood training, water and soil conservation, environmental protection, and women empowerment.

We work with the belief that every individual—regardless of caste, gender, or background—deserves a life of dignity, opportunity, and purpose.

Programs


Over the years, PMMS has grown into a trusted voice and force in rural Maharashtra. From running a completely free high school for underprivileged students (Classes 8 to 12), to implementing watershed projects like IWMP and Jalswaraj to organizing tree plantation drives, sanitation campaigns, and SHG training for women, we are all about action that transforms lives.



President’s Corner – Wisdom, Vision & Change

Rooted in struggle. Driven by change.

When we started Pragati Magaswargiya Mahila Sanstha, Bhandara (PMMS) back in 1997, all we had was a vision — to uplift the most ignored, the poorest and the unheard in our society. No funds, no infrastructure. Just a dream, a lot of courage, and our deep connection with the people of rural Bhandara.

Over the years, this small initiative has grown into a mission of hope and transformation. We have educated hundreds of rural and marginalized students—totally free of cost. We’ve empowered women to become self-reliant, trained farmers in sustainable practices, restored watersheds, and planted thousands of trees. Our initiatives under IWMP, Jalswaraj, and various state-supported programs have gained recognition throughout Maharashtra, including the prestigious Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vanashree Puraskar, where we secured the 1st position in the NGO Category.

But the road ahead is long. The need is greater than ever. Many children are still denied education. Women lack access to income opportunities. Entire villages face water scarcity, unemployment, and ecological decline. And we cannot solve this alone.

That’s why I humbly invite CSR partners, donors, government agencies, and compassionate individuals to walk this path with us.

Your support can:

  •  Help us keep our promise of free education. Our school for underprivileged rural children is more than classrooms — it’s their only gateway to a brighter future. With better infrastructure, learning tools, and inclusive teaching, we can reach more students who’ve been left behind.
  • Fight silent suffering like Sickle Cell Disease. Hundreds in Bhandara district battle this invisible illness without access to timely diagnosis or care. Your support can help us deliver awareness, health services, and dignity to these families — right where they live.
  • Bridge the digital and social divide. In today’s world, being left offline is being left out. We work to connect underserved communities with digital tools, e-governance, and knowledge — empowering them to claim their rights and opportunities.
  • Uplift rural women and youth through skills and livelihood. With the right training, confidence, and tools, they can earn, lead, and inspire others in their villages. We just need a chance to show what’s possible.
  •  Protect water, soil, and sanitation — the basics of survival. Many of our villages face severe climate and drought stress. We restore what’s broken through watershed work, sanitation drives, and traditional wisdom.
  • Heal the planet — one sapling, one village, one community at a time. We’ve planted thousands of trees. With your help, we’ll plant lakhs more, and build an eco-conscious generation that protects what gives us life.

These are not just programs. They are lifelines. Your support doesn’t just fund activities — it fuels transformation. It gives a child their first book, a mother her first income, a farmer hope for water, and a community the courage to rise. Together, let’s build a future where no one is left behind.

I thank you for believing in this mission. PMMS is not just an NGO — it’s a movement of people rising with dignity.

With gratitude,

Mrs. Chhaya B. Tembhurne

President, PMMS Bhandara