About us
A friendly gathering that became a mission.
From homemakers meeting informally to a registered society working across Kolkata and rural West Bengal.
Our story
How TOREE began
What began as a friendly gathering among a group of homemakers in September 2015 has grown into TOREE, a registered non-profit organisation for social welfare. From small, local cultural and social events, the group grew to provide relief and rehabilitation support to families in need, while spreading awareness on environmental issues in its own modest way.
For more than eight years, the members of TOREE have worked steadily towards the betterment of marginalised communities, and the work continues until the mission is fulfilled.
Rural initiatives
Reaching the villages
Since 2019, the Bidyayan Scholarship has been awarded each year to students who have passed their Madhyamik examinations, encouraging them to continue their studies and build a foundation for higher education.
Since 2017, mosquito nets have been distributed periodically in villages of South 24 Parganas as a safeguard against mosquito-borne illness, along with new clothing for children and used clothing for elders.
Urban initiatives
Welcoming children into the fold
Empowering disadvantaged children and welcoming them into the mainstream is one of our core focus areas. We mark important days on the calendar with specially designed events, and involve orphaned children, street children and children from marginalised neighbourhoods of the city in creative activities.
We also celebrate Independence Day and Rakhi Bandhan with children being treated for cancer, and hold drawing, music and dance programmes with autistic young people.
What guides us
Vision, mission and values
Vision
We aspire to contribute to the development of marginalised sections of society.
Mission
To work together for the care and upliftment of underprivileged children and rural communities, towards their empowerment and progress in life.
Values
Integrity. We remain fair, honest and ethical in everything we do.
Our goals
What we are working towards
- Encourage meritorious students from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their education
- Build awareness among underprivileged children about the wider world, through participation
- Meet some of the daily needs of rural life
- Join the fight against climate change
- Extend a helping hand during natural calamities
Message from the Founder
Pew MitraFounder and Chief AdvisorI am glad to say that TOREE has progressed steadily and grown into a responsible part of our society. Our goal now is to widen our reach, bringing more people into our fold to share our vision. We hope to build a spirit of togetherness, so that together we can remain committed to the well-being of the weaker sections of society. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us in fulfilling our mission.
The people behind TOREE
Team TOREE
A small group of dedicated members, each giving their time alongside work and family, to keep the programmes of TOREE running through the year.
- Pew Mitra
- Founder and Chief Advisor
- Madhabendra Mitra
- President
- Tapati Pal
- Vice President
- Susanta Ghosh
- Secretary
- Sankar Chatterjee
- Treasurer
- Mousumi Chatterjee
- Assistant Secretary
- Sarmila Biswas
- Executive Member
- Sutapa Chakraborty
- Executive Member
- Dr Shaibal Chakraborty
- Advisor
Registration
A registered welfare society
TOREE is a unit of South Kolkata Toree Social and Cultural Welfare Society, registered under the Registrar of Firms, Societies and Non-Trading Companies, West Bengal.
Registration No. SO260260 of 2016-17