Though formally registered as an NGO in 1999, SAKHI has had a long standing presence in North Bihar since 1990 as a team involved in coordinating one of the field projects in Madhubani district Bihar, on the issue of Women empowerment through Fisheries, since Madhubani district is rich in inland water resources. The project initiated in Andhrathari Block of Madhubani District in 1990, aimed at empowerment of fisherwomen through formation of SHGs, enabling their access to government ponds on lease, equipping them with technical and managerial skills, providing start-up capital support and consequently contributing to a steady enhancement in their income levels.

As a support service to the underprivileged women, the components of health and education were also included with the former focusing on reproductive and child health and later, on non formal education through non formal education centres for children in the age group of 6-18.

The quality of work carried out in the fisherwomen community brought the project under increasing demand from other communities, particularly the dalits, for extension of similar support to their hamlets; thus obliging the organization to bring these deprived communities as well under its coverage. Since then Sakhi has been undertaking various Impactful projects on various social issues in collaboration with various partners and creating an impact which clearly shows at the grassroot level as the community’s overall income and livelihood options has enhanced and become self sustainable over the years and the community has become more aware of their rights.