Mewat has fared very low against all social development parameters. Before starting any project/program, it was imperative to understand the ground situation, the knowledge, attitude and practices of the locals and priorities their requirements. A top down approach towards development never works. Thus it was important to understand the needs of the community in the field of education, health, sanitation, hygiene etc. SMART carried out a survey in the district of Mewat, Haryana, to understand the reasons for backwardness and possibilities of projects that could impact the lives of women positively. This was indeed an enlightening experience which helped SMART frame its strategy for the future.