About us
About Us
Shaishav’s journey truly began in 1995, when a landmark survey on child labour in Bhavnagar uncovered that over 12,800 children—some as young as seven years—were working in 106 occupations. This eye-opening study became the foundation of our journey. What started with a mission to bring children out of labour and into schools has since grown into a full fledged children’s movement. Today, Shaishav works to ensure every child’s right to education, protection, participation, and equality—empowering children to shape their own futures while also training and supporting organisations across India to do the same.
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Vision
A loving, safe, equitable, enabling, and self-driven childhood for every child.
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Mission
Co-create inclusive child friendly spaces and opportunities to unlock children’s potential for a liberated childhood and holistic development, ensuring a happy, healthy and sustainable society.
Where We Work
 Shaishav is based in Gujarat and currently works in Bhavnagar city and Narmada district. Our work in Bhavnagar began in 1993, with a focus on moving children out of child labour and enabling access to quality education. As children gained confidence, they came together to form their own collectives. This led to the launch of Balsena, a democratic children’s collective that continues to be a core part of our work today.
In 2018, on our 25th anniversary, we expanded our work to the tribal areas of Narmada district, through Aaranyak – taking our learnings and experience to support tribal children living in remote villages and Ashramshalas.
Today, Shaishav runs programmes across both urban and tribal contexts in Gujarat, working to ensure children have access to education, voice, and opportunities to thrive.
Our Values
- Child-centric – Children’s voices, needs, rights, and overall well-being—guide every action & decision.
- Social Justice – Create safe, inclusive spaces free from discrimination with a commitment to equity and respect for all children
- Inclusiveness & Collectivism – Children themselves lead social change through shared decision-making and collective action.
- Transparency & Accountability – Honest, outcome-driven programmes that build trust with all stakeholders.
Our Approach
Every child is valued, respected & accepted as they are.
Shaishav adopts a child-centric approach, working alongside children to nurture their holistic development through play-based and participatory methods.
- Adaptive – Every experience is an opportunity to learn, adapt & enhance our interventions to stay relevant in a constantly evolving world.
- Preventive – Early intervention instills confidence & self-respect , reducing risky behaviours.
Micro and Macro level engagement – Amplifying children’s voices in policy discussions at national & international levels. - Sustainable Impact – Values instilled in children create lasting change, shaping future generations and communities.
- Scalable – A proven model that can be replicated in other parts of India & the world
- Participatory – Children decide what and how they learn, fostering ownership and lifelong learning.
- Self & Society – Children understand themselves, their rights and their role as citizens & drive positive change in their communities.
Impact
Over the last three decades, more than 7 lakh children have transformed their lives by learning about their rights, developing leadership abilities, moving out of child labour, accessing quality education, and growing into confident, responsible citizens empowered to shape their own futures
Young Lives Empowered & Counting...
children empowered through Bal Sena
tribal children impacted through Aaranyak
children enrolled back in school until 2016
girls trained in self-defence
organisations partnered with for knowledge & skill sharing
The Founders
Parul Sheth is a globally recognized social leader, honored with the Fulbright Humphrey, Ashoka, CRY, and Aspire Fellowships. She is an executive member of various state and national networks. Her work in child rights & women empowerment has earned her major accolades, including Champaben Gondhiya Award, 100 Growth Engines of Gujarat & Woman of Substance
Falgun Sheth is a nationally respected grassroots leader whose work has shaped child rights policy and practice across Gujarat. He is honored with Ashoka and CRY Fellowship. From his early leadership in the youth movements, work in SEWA-Rural to contributions to UNICEF and GCERT thinktanks, government committees, task forces, and child rights networks, he is a leading voice on child rights in India.
We always shared the belief that true, sustainable change must begin with society’s youngest members- children.
– Parul & Falgun Sheth, Founders
