Our journey from a simple spark to a movement of change.
March 2020 marked an unprecedented moment in our nation’s history. As the pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown, most of us stayed safe within our homes, unsure of what lay ahead. But outside, another reality unfolded — thousands of migrant workers, stripped of livelihoods overnight, set out on heartbreaking journeys back to their villages. Images of overcrowded buses, trucks, and families walking or cycling hundreds of kilometers — some never making it home — shook us deeply.
It was then we realised that migration was not a choice, but a compulsion born of lack of opportunities in villages and something had to change.
With this conviction, NeevJivan Foundation was born — to skill, re-skill, and upskill women from the tribal community to build sustainable micro-enterprises in their villages.
By addressing barriers of awareness, finance, and deep-rooted social discrimination, we began creating dignified livelihood opportunities that reduce the need for migration and bring prosperity home.
“When livelihood vanished in the cities, families walked hundreds of kilometres back to their villages.
It was then we realised that migration was not a choice, but a compulsion born of lack of opportunities in villages - so we chose to create opportunities for livelihood where people live
Poverty continues to define daily life in the communities we serve. With average household incomes barely touching ₹5,000 a month, families often struggle just to get by — leaving nothing to invest in their children’s education, their health, or even the basic upkeep of their homes.
Almost every family depends on agriculture — whether on tiny plots of their own or as farm labourers. While agriculture preserves their traditions and provides food, it fails to provide steady incomes, leaving families vulnerable through much of the year.
In Palghar, water scarcity limits farmers to just one crop a year — while other regions reap two or three. This single harvest leaves families with meager, fragile incomes that vanish long before the next season arrives.
Once the harvest ends, so does farm income — leaving families with months of little to no work. Forced to survive, many migrate to nearby cities in search of temporary jobs, often under harsh and uncertain conditions.
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