At Vascroft, our foundation is built on more than just bricks and mortar; it is built on a legacy of community, compassion, and long-standing partnerships. For generations, the Vascroft family has supported transformative humanitarian initiatives in Gujarat, India.
Recently, Managing Director Mitesh Vekaria and Chief Operating Officer Chandni Vora MBE travelled to Bhuj and Rajkot to visit three organisations that are deeply meaningful to the Vascroft family: Navchetan Andhjan Mandal, Project ‘Life’, and Yuva Unstoppable. The visit was a powerful reminder of how sustained support and shared purpose can create meaningful change.
Navchetan Andhjan Mandal: A Five-Decade Association
The Vascroft family’s relationship with Navchetan Andhjan Mandal stretches back over five decades, beginning with the support of Mitesh and Chandni’s grandfather, who believed strongly in the organisation’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities.
Located near Bhuj, Navchetan provides education, rehabilitation, and skill development for individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities.
A particularly proud milestone came in 2006, when the Vascroft family helped acquire land and fund the construction of a dedicated girls’ facility – Divyang Kanyakunj, a joint initiative between Shri Navchetan Andhjan Mandal (Madhapar) and the Vascroft Foundation (UK).
Today, the campus provides a safe and nurturing environment for over 160 girls, offering inclusive education, vocational training in skills such as tailoring and computer operations, and holistic support through facilities including physiotherapy and specialised development programmes.
Walking through the campus, Mitesh and Chandni saw firsthand how the institution continues to provide opportunity and independence to the young women it serves.
Chairman and Founder, Shashi Vekaria, who has worked closely alongside his father and late brother to support Navchetan’s mission, remains deeply committed to its continued growth. Through his annual visits and strategic guidance, he helps shape the organisation’s development plans, ensuring Navchetan’s work reaches and benefits even the most remote communities across Kutch. He was also honoured to attend Navchetan’s 50th anniversary celebrations in December 2025, marking a significant milestone in the organisation’s journey.
Project ‘Life’: Supporting Community Impact
The visit also included time with Project ‘Life’ in Rajkot, an organisation the Vascroft family has supported for the past 12 years.
Through initiatives such as the Life Education Centre, the organisation works to transform rural primary schools into safe, modern learning environments, equipping them with improved infrastructure and smart classrooms.
Alongside its work in education, Project ‘Life’ also runs vital community initiatives, including a blood centre, women’s vocational training programmes, and environmental projects – helping improve the wellbeing of communities across the region.
Yuva Unstoppable: A Growing Partnership
Vascroft began supporting Yuva Unstoppable in 2022. Together, 6 smart schools were developed in rural Kutch where Yuva had not previously implemented projects.
During their recent visit, Chandni and Mitesh also saw other Yuva Unstoppable projects in Rajkot, witnessing the wider impact of their school transformation work.
Continuing a Legacy of Purpose
For the Vascroft family, supporting these initiatives is more than corporate responsibility – it is part of a long-standing tradition rooted in compassion and service.
From a relationship with Navchetan spanning over five decades, to partnerships with Project ‘Life’ and Yuva Unstoppable, each collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving lives through education, healthcare, and opportunity.
Seeing the impact of these initiatives firsthand reinforced the importance of sustained partnerships in creating meaningful change for communities.
