Lutheran
World Service India Trust (LWSIT) is an Indian NGO
engaged in empowering the underprivileged sections of
the rural and urban communities. It has deep rooted
presence in eastern India, headquartered in Kolkata,
West Bengal since 1974. LWSIT is committed to build 'Communities
of Hopee' through three distinct approaches: rights
based approach, empowerment approach and integrated
approach. The overall development goal of LWSIT is to
empower men, women and children of disadvantaged
communities to enhance their quality of life, through
rights based approaches for sustainable livelihood,
food and human security. At present LWSIT is
operational in the states of Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu,
and West Bengal, engaged in both community development
and linking relief and rehabilitation to development
projects. LWSIT responds to emergency situations
across the country by providing relief materials to
the affected people.
After 34 years being the India Country Program of LWF/DWS, LWSI was registered as a Trust on September 4, 2008 changing its identity from an international agency to a National NGO. LWSIT continues to be an associate program of Lutheran World Federation/ Department for World Service, Geneva.
The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India (UELCI) and the national council of churches in India (NCCI) are the key stakeholders, thus upholding the trust's identity as a Christian ecumenical organization. The Trust, as the successor to LWS India, has inherited a rich legacy of experience of implementing rural and urban development projects, disaster preparedness and response projects across India.
LWSIT works with the underprivileged rural and urban communities. Mobilizing the underprivileged sections, women in particular, to form their groups/organisations and to build their capacity to take collective actions to address their socio-economic challenges is the key intervention strategy. Awareness raising, sensitization and training programs are organized for the community representatives to develop their capacity to secure their rights. LWSIT enables communities to deal with all aspects of their lives in a holistic manner. Thus in its program operation an integrated approach is adhered to address the needs for quality education and health, sustainable livelihood and food security with special emphasis on environment protection and gender justice.
LWSIT implements STEER Projects-Rural and Urban, Bilateral projects which are single donor supported having specific objective and timeframe, and Emergency projects as and when disaster strikes.
