Rooted in faith. Fuelled by service.
Manav Vikas Samiti — the Social Work Wing of the Simla-Chandigarh Catholic Diocese — has walked with communities across the Himalayan foothills and plains since 1995.
Three decades of walking with the poor.
Manav Vikas Samiti was established in 1995 by the Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh as its dedicated social-work arm. What began as a small outreach in the hills of Himachal Pradesh — a handful of literacy centres and a mobile clinic — has grown into a multi-state programme touching thousands of lives every year.
Over the decades, MVS has stood alongside communities during floods, cold-waves and pandemics; opened tuition centres in remote tribal blocks; formed women’s self-help federations; and introduced digital literacy to villages that had barely seen a smartphone. Our approach has always been the same: listen first, walk with people, and build what lasts.
A world where every life is lifted with dignity.
“A just and compassionate society where every child learns, every woman leads, every family thrives — and no one is left behind in the hills or the plains.”
Restoring hope, one village at a time.
To accompany the poor, marginalised and vulnerable across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh through education, health, livelihood and empowerment programmes rooted in the Gospel value of service.
We work irrespective of caste, creed or religion, always in partnership with local communities, government bodies and faith-based networks. Every programme we run is designed to be community-led, evidence-informed and financially transparent.
Our core objectives
Every initiative at MVS is oriented towards these outcomes:
Enable education for first-generation learners from tribal and marginalised communities.
Empower rural women through self-help groups, vocational training and micro-enterprise.
Deliver accessible healthcare through mobile clinics and awareness camps in remote areas.
Promote sustainable livelihoods via organic farming, kitchen gardens and small-farmer collectives.
Respond swiftly to natural disasters, floods, landslides and cold-wave emergencies.
Champion the rights and dignity of children, women, tribal families and the elderly.
Core values that guide us
A word from our Director
“When we began MVS in 1995, we made ourselves a promise: to walk with the poor, not merely deliver aid. Thirty years on, that promise has become the compass of everything we do.”
“Our strength is not in our balance sheet but in the trust the communities have placed in us — the mother who lets us into her home, the child who runs to our tuition centre, the village elder who calls when the roads are cut off. To every donor, volunteer and partner reading this: thank you. Your solidarity is what turns intention into transformation.”
A journey of service
Organisation profile
Key facts about MVS.
Legal status & registrations
MVS is fully registered and compliant with all statutory requirements. Documents are available on request.
Board of Trustees
Our board provides strategic direction and governance oversight.
Our team
The programme leads, coordinators and field workers who bring MVS to life every day.
Annual reports & documents
Read our audited annual reports and download key documents.