Introduction
Meaningful participation of rural people in development activities constitutes an important pre-requisite for accomplishing our overriding objectives of poverty alleviation. More than 80% of the total population of Nepal lives in rural areas. The rural population is deprived of economic, educational and other opportunities. The result is ever widening gap between rural and urban communities in terms of socio-economic status. In view of this gap, it has become imperative to create social awareness amongst rural people and implement programmes that could uplift their socio-economic standards. Less articulate and disadvantaged section of the society, including the disabled, senior citizens, women and Dalits need to be the ideal target groups of such programmes.

Amidst the pile of socio-economic problems, the insurgency activities generated and hit the Nepalese society seriously and crippled the overall socio-economic activities in the country. It is felt that Government agencies alone cannot do this. They need to be complemented by community efforts. The SAHARA Group, a non-governmental, non-profit organization, is all towards this direction.

SAHARA Group was established in September 1997 with the primary objective of achieving concrete results in the campaign against rural poverty in terms of both incomes and human capabilities. SAHARA is committed to the promotion and protection of child rights, women empowerment under governance and create total awareness on HIV/AIDS to address the national development goal particularly through mainstreaming the rural poor destitute, women and children.

SAHARA has its central office in Baluwatar Kathmandu and branch offices are in Syangja, Pokhara and Nepalgunj.