Wecannotdo greatthingson thisEarth, Onlysmallthings withgreatlove. -MotherTeresa
abhishek.joshi@insightssuccess.com
Positivesocialimpactistheultimateprofit—the philanthropyseeksof!
Onemightfeelthatbygeneratingemployment,providing peoplewiththeirdreamjobsandprofessionalcareers,and payingapartoftheirprofitsintaxes,theindustry,the enterprises,businesses,andcorporatesarealready contributingimmenselytosocialgrowthandfulfillingtheir socialresponsibility.
However,bygoingtothegrassrootslevels,empoweringthe underprivilegedandshatteringtheclutchesofpoverty, hunger,malnutrition,diseases,andothersocialmalice,notfor-profitornon-profitorNon-GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs)aredoingthegenuinesocialreformists’workfor freeorevenbyincurringsubstantiallosses.
Theseorganizationsareleadingmultifariouscausesand manytimesworkinghard,tenuously,ardently,devotedly, andtediouslywithimmensecommitment,anever-ending dedication,andtremendouszealtohealthedeeplyinflected socialwoundsofinequality,injustice,andghastly invisibility.
Asadevelopingnation,were-discoveredtheworthand importanceoftheseNGOsduringthelasttwoandahalf yearsoftherecurringpandemic,whichisdeepeningthe
chasmofalltheevilsthreateningthesocialfabricofhealth, education,unity,harmony,peace,growth,andprosperity.
Ifweconsiderthetwomotivesofemotionalandfinancial forcesdrivingeveryindividual,group,andprofessional enterprise—then—whileNGOsarestrongeremotionally, Corporatesaremightierfinancially.
Whatifthesetwoforcescombinetheirmighttoforma unitedpower?
Then,amightysocialrevolutionisboundtohappen.At InsightsSuccess,we,too,felttheneedtoshowcasethis streamextremeinthelimelightitsoworthilydeserves.Our brandexclusiveedition,‘LeadingNGOsImpacting CorporateSocialResponsibilityDrive–2022,’isasmall attemptinthisregard.Here,wehavechosenthoseNGOs alreadydrivingpositivesocialtransformationby proliferatingtheCSRmissionextensively.
Asyouwillindeedgetcharmedbytheirpraiseworthy stories,youwillfindyourenchantmentamalgamatedby readingtwoaptarticlescraftedbyourin-houseeditorial team.
Flipthroughthepages,witnesstherevolution,andbecome apartofthissocialtransformationalsaga!
Caring
HOW
On the Quest for SEL-Integrated Holistic Wellbeing
CancerAid&ResearchFoundation
Enlightening Lives by Brightening the Horizons
ChildHeartFoundation
Ensuring Our Children’s Hearts Stays Strongest
SwayamShikshanPrayog
Centering Women Leadership in Social Development
Where Young Lives Shine
Empowering Steady Framework for Financial Independence
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ApniShalaFoundtion
CancerAid& ResearchFoundation
SangeetaZombade, Co-founderandDirector
MrShamshiMulla, Chairman, and MrsSavitaNathani,CEO
ApniShalaworkswithchildrenfromlow-income communitiesandhelpsbuildtheiremotional,interpersonal andthinkingskillsinchildren.
CancerAid&ResearchFoundationitisaregisteredmedicalNGO andwasformedwiththepassionateendeavourofstrivingendlessly towardsthewelfareofcancerpatientswhoareunderprivileged, withoutdistinctionofreligionorcaste.
ChildHeartFoundation
GeetanjaliCare
SwayamShikshan Prayog
DrVikasKohli, FounderandTrustee
MsTinaPhogat, Founder
MsPremGopalan, Founder
ChildHeartFoundationisbuiltforhelpingchildrenwithheart disease.Thefocusisfamilieswhoarefinanciallychallenged andcan’tmeetthefinancialrequirementsforheartsurgeryor intervention.
GeetanjaliCarerepresentshumanisticvaluestohelpunderprivileged peopleinthesociety.ChildEducation,ChildHealth,Hygieneand Wellness,Women'sBiologicalHealthandMedicalCareareits primaryareasofattention.
SwayamShikshanPrayogrepositionswomen’scollectivesby trainingthemasfarmersandentrepreneursandtherebyincreasing theireconomicandsocialresilience.
UdayanCareaimstobringsunshineintothelivesof underservedsectionsofsocietythatrequireintervention.UdayanCare
DrKiranModi, Founderand ManagingTrustee
UdyoginipromoteswomenentrepreneursinruralIndiaby providingsolutionsthatcatertotheiraspirations.Udyogini
ArvindK.Malik, CEO
Aandcalls‘OurSchool,ApniShala,’wastwoyears initsorganizationaljourneywhenSangeeta Zombade,Director,Khoj–ApniShala’sSELintegrated Schoolinitiative–firstconceptualizedanSELintegrated schoolalongwithAmritaNairandRohitKumar(Cofoundersoftheproject).
schoolthateveryonefromthecommunityfeels
education-basedschoolforthecommunityin2017.Thekey questionstheyaskedwere:Whatifallchildrencouldattain aneducationthatempowersthemtotransformtheirlives notinspiteoftheirsocio-economicorculturaldifferences butbecauseofit?
Khoj aimstoofferinnovativesolutionslike
Sangeeta’sjourneyanddreamfortheschoolbeganwithher ownexperienceyearsago,whenherfamilywasmoved fromslumstoagovernment-providedSlumRehabilitation HousingSociety,andtheentirecommunityhadtobe reorganized.Atthegovernment-providedhousing, employment,health,andeducationalopportunitieswere verylimited.Forexample,theareahasonlyone governmentSchoolservingover8000childreninthe community!
Theredevelopedhousingwasbuiltnexttothebiggest garbagedumpinggroundandanabattoir,landfillsandisin closeproximitytoindustrieslikeBPCLandHPCL,raising severalenvironmentalconcernsinDeonar.Withthelowest humandevelopmentindex,lowestliteracyrate,andhighest infantmortalityrate,Mankhurdhadbecomealostcausefor many,includingitsresidents.ButnotSangeeta.
WhileatAkanksha,shetaughtthechildrenfromthe community.Shealsoledthecommunity-driveninitiative called Prayatna–Strive in Hindi–whereshegottogetherthe youthinthecommunityonthesocialchallengesthatthey feltwereimportanttobeaddressedsuchasalcoholism, drugabuse,lackofcleanliness,andeducation.
Aftersomeconversationswiththecommunitymembers andsocialworkers,SangeetagottogetherwithAmritaand Rohit,toleadforwardaprogressive,experiential-
Ÿ
Providingahigh-qualityeducationfortheholistic developmentofchildren,withawell-researcheddesign forsocial-emotional,cognitive,andphysical development.
Ÿ Goingbeyondtheusualimaginationofaschool,and extendingthedesigntoincludealargercommunityof parentsandyouthintothedevelopmentprocesses.
Ÿ Becomingacenterofexcellenceforprovidingtraining, research,andecosystemsupporttootherschoolsand communitiesforSEL-integratedschooldesignand curriculum.
Whatstartedoutofrentedroomswithinthecommunityis currentlyaschoolinits5thyear.
KhojrunsfromLimbuniBaugMumbaiPublicschool,in Chembur,throughitspartnershipwiththeMCGM,serving underservedchildrenandfamilies.Khojhasalsobeen providingprofessionaldevelopmenttoearlychildhood educatorsfromotherschoolsonSEL-integratedlearning andhaspublishedpractice-basedarticlesin national/interactionalpublicationssuchas‘TeacherPlus and‘ThinkMakeLearn.’
AsaCo-founderandDirectorofKhoj,Sangeetaleads schooloperations,teacherprofessionaldevelopment,and communityengagement.Sangeetaisanexemplaryleader whohasnotonlychallengedthestereotypesofgenderand
social-economicclassbutalsohasinspired manyyoungpeopletotakecontroloftheirlives andaffectchangeandshedoesthiswithalotof loveandlaughter.Khojhasmostrecentlybeen recognizedforitsworkincollaboratingwith communitystakeholdersamongthetop10 schoolsintheworldaspartofT4Education’s World’sBestSchoolPrizes(Community collaborationcategory).
In an interview with Insights Success, Sangeeta spoke more about her transformational initiative. The highlights of that enlightening interview are given herein.
PleasebriefouraudienceaboutApniShala,its USPs,andhowyouarecurrentlypositioned asoneofthebestSocialSolutionProviders.
ApniShalaFoundationworkswithstudents, educators,caregivers,andinstitutionstowardsa visionofbuildingsocialandemotionalcompetencies amongindividualssotheycanconstructivelyengage withsocietyandhaveaharmoniousco-existence.
ThroughitsSchoolSocial-EmotionalLearning(SEL) programme,ApniShalabuildssocialandemotional resilienceinstudentsandthesystemsaroundthemby developingthefollowingcompetencies: Self-awareness, Self-management, Responsible decision-making, Social awareness, and Relationship skills.
Whatbeganasapilotin2013withonemunicipalschool hasgrownintoalong-termandwhole-schoolprogramme beingdeliveredin18municipalschools,onelow-cost privateschool,andtwoNGOs,servingover5000students eachyear.
In2017,ApniShalafoundedKhoj,asacommunityschool inalow-resourceareaofMumbai.Khojisenvisionedasa dynamicspaceforongoingresearchanddevelopmentof SEL-integratedschoolpractices.
ApniShalahasbeenworkingwithstudents,educators,and familiesfromlow-incomehomes,forthelastnineyearsin Mumbai’sL,M-east,andM-westwards,threeoftheleast developedwards.ApniShalaFoundationhasservedover 10,500students,over700teachers,andover500parents since2013.
Sangeeta Zombade, Co-founder, and Director Khoj (Apni Shala’s SEL Integrated School initiative) Apni Shala FoundationKhoj has most recently been recognized for its work in collaborating with community stakeholders among the top 10 schools in the world as part of T4 Education’s World’s Best School Prizes.
Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow adoptingmoderndigitaltechnologiesimpactsthesocial reformsectorandhowApniShalaisadaptingtothe change.
Theonsetofthepandemicin2020,ontheonehand, requiredASFtopivotitsoperationsforbothourflagship initiatives-SELprogrammesandKhoj(SELIntegrated initiative)toreliefworkandalsotostartthinkingofhow technologycouldbeusedtowardsadaptingour programmes.
AtASFweworkedonupskillingtheteambysupporting withtrainingontheuseoftechnologythatwouldhelpus reachstudents,educators,caregivers,andthecommunities weworkwith.Inthebeginning,wefacedchallengesbutthe teamgotaccustomedtothesame.
Basedonphonecallsurveys,achievabilityofonlinemode ofdelivery,technologyrequirements,appropriateaudience, andsupportofpartnerschools,wefinallydecidedtoresume theSELprogramforsomegradesforourpartnerschools.
Anonlineversionofthecurriculumwaslaunchedfor grades5thand6ththroughsynchronousandasynchronous methodsinJuly2020.SimilarlyatKhoj,theteamidentified theaccessibilityofinternet-baseddevicesforfamiliesand children.
ParentsandstudentsweretaughttousetheZoomsettings usingphone/WhatsAppvideosandtutorials.Wealso developedalocalresourcecentertoensurethataccessto technologyandinternetconnectivitywasnotabarrierto studentparticipation.
Anothercreativeuseoftechnologythattheteamembarked onemergedfromthedigitaldividethatwewerewitnessing.
Withalargenumberofstudentswhowerenotableto accesslearningduetonodevices,theteamcollaborated withKshamtalayaFoundationtoinitiateaRadioProject. A30-minuteradioprogrammeonSaturdayandSunday everyweekfromthemonthofJanuary2021onRadio Madhubanwasstartedtohelpinbuildingresilienceinan everydayway,throughtheroutineactivitiesand interactionsthatoccurinchildren’sliveseachday.
Theradioprojectscriptswerecreatedforthreemodules: empathyandperspective-taking,empathyandemotion expression,andrelationships.
Apartfromthis,whilewebeganusingtechnologytomove manyofourcapacity-buildingactivitiesandtrainingonline duetothepandemic,itallowedustoconnectwith individualsfromnotjustacrossthecountrybutalsoacross theglobe.ThishasallowedApniShalatocreateaccessto SELinplacesweotherwisewouldnothavebeenableto reach.
Consideringthecurrentindustryscenario,whatkindof challengesdoyouface,andhowdoyoudriveApni Shalatoovercomethem?
Asanorganizationthatfocusesoncenteringwellbeing,and SELforall,oneoftherisksweseeinthesectoristhat learningbecomesfocusedonlyonthestudentneglecting theroleoftheecosystemthatinfluencesthestudent.
WhenwetalkaboutSEL,itcaneasilybeusedasamodel tojustmanagebehaviourratherthanrecognizingthe systemicinequitiesthatcontinuetopersistinstudents’lives thatmayactuallybetherootcauseofthebehaviour.
Organizationslikeushavetobealerttothisandworkwith educators,parents,andcaregiverstobecomemore compassionate,just,andinclusivetofinallyimpactthe wellbeingandsafetyofstudents.ApniShala’sinitiatives, therefore,workcloselywithallstakeholderstogenerate awarenessandadvocateforwellbeingholistically.
Intheyear2020afterthepandemicbegan,oneoftherisks thatbecamevisibleinthesectorwastheuncertaintyof schoolsrunningphysicallyorhybrid,orcompletelyonline. Thatcompelledorganizationstothinkofdifferentwaysto makelearningaccessible,especiallyacknowledgingthe digitaldivide.
ApniShalahasbeenabletoworkwithschoolsand communitiestoadaptthecontentforonlineandoffline
modesandalsoworktowardsmobilizingresourcesthat studentsandfamiliescanusetofacilitatelearning.
ApniShalabelievesinthepowerofcommunitywherethe students,supporters,caregivers,andfacilitatorscome togethertoexperienceSocialandEmotionalLearningand co-learnthrougheachother'sexperiences.Webelievethat ourpartners(donors/corporatesetc)areapartofthis community.Volunteerscomingfromourcorporatepartners canengageinvariouswayswithourwork.This engagementusuallybeginswithunderstandingtheirareas ofknowledgeskillsexpertiseandinterestinwhichthey wouldliketocontributetothecause.Someoftheactivities thatourcorporatepartnershaveactivelyengagedinthepast fewyearsare:
Ÿ Research,Strategy,andCommunications(photography, videography,databasecreation,communicationdesign).
Ÿ CommunityEngagementStrategyand Practices(Assistingwithteachinglearningteam, mentoring-coachingguidancetoApniShalateam, translationofthecontentofthematerialtolocal languages).
Ÿ Fundraising(Runningcrowdfundingcampaigns, GeneratingCSRleads).
Apartfromthis,ApniShalaengageswithcorporatesto conductSELworkshopswiththeirteam,buildingresources forApniShala’swork,andexploringsynergiesofalongtermengagement.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingsocial entrepreneurswhoaspiretoventureintothenot-forprofitspace?
Themostcriticaladvicewouldbetolistentotheneedsof thecommunitiesyouworkwith.Alotoftheprocessof impactingchangecomesfromeffective,inclusive,and meaningfulcollaborationswherethoseweworkwithalso findtheirownagencyandvoiceandbecomeapartofthe processoforganizationbuilding.
HowdoyouenvisionscalingASF’soperationsand offeringsinthefuture?
Overthenextfewyears,ApniShalaaimstoworkwith over30schoolsthroughitsSchoolSELprogramme, developKhojintoamodelschooltoinformwhole-school SELintegration,andcontinueongoingcapacitybuildingto facilitateSELinschoolsthroughApniShala’sSEL FellowshipProgrammeandprofessionaldevelopment opportunitiesforotherschoolsandorganizations.
Therehavebeenmanydevelopmentsin economic,industrial,scientific,and technologicalsectorsthathaveledtothegrowth oftheregion.However,therehavebeencertain underlyingchallengesthatdidnotreceivetherequired attention.Thesechallengesincludesocial,cultural, natural,environmental,humanitarian,andother concerns.Someempatheticpeoplecometogetherto formorganizationsforbringingpositivechangesto socialissues.TheseorganizationsareknownasNonGovernmentalOrganizations(NGOs).NGOsnormally operateinfourprimarycategories:Empowerment, Service,Participatory,andCharity.
TheNGOsintheEmpowermentcategoryfocuson helpingpoorpeopleunderstandthesocial,political,and economicfactorsaffectingtheirlives.
Service-basedNGOsprovidefoodandhealthcare, includingfamilyplanningandeducation.The participatoryonesrunonthecollectiveeffortsofthe memberswhoparticipateinthevoluntarilyorganized activitiesoftreeplantation,labour,money,land,tools, andmaterial.ThefourthcategoryoftheCharity organizationfunctionsontheeffortsofafewpeoplein organizingfunds,food,clothing,books,toys,etc.,tobe transferredtothehave-notsortheneedypeople.
TheroleandtheimportanceoftheNGOsisphenomenal astheybegintheprocessofgradualchange,steady improvement,andbeginvitalawarenessinthemasses. Someofthecomprehensiveaspectsofeffectiveand noticeableNGOsareinterestingtounderstandand discuss.
NGOsareformedbylike-mindedpeoplewhoare touchedbyvarioussocialissueswhichtheytakeupto resolvethroughvoluntary,collective,andinvolvementbasedactivities.Theseorganizationshaveaclearvision ofworkingonvarioussocialcausesdecidedfromtime totime.
Vision-basedNGOshavebeennoticedtohaveperformed significantlyintheircontributionstoaddressingsocial challenges.Allmembersarechargedandguidedbythe centralvisionoftheorganization,whichbindsthem togetherasaunitandstrengthensthegroupactivitiestobe donewithenthusiasm.
Peopleinterestedindoingsomethingforsocietywitha selflessmotiveareprominentcontributors.NGOsare formedtofacilitateeasyandcollaborativeworkingwhere thecontributionsareusedtohelpthesocialobjectivesof theorganization.Theseorganizationsplan,organizeand distributethefunds/giveaways/supportonastrictlynonprofitprinciple.
MostinfluentialNGOshavedisplayedanemphaticattitude byobservingandanalyzingthesocialsituationsand reviewingtheconditionsandplightoftheaffectedpeople. Thevolunteersvisitthepeopleandunderstandtheir struggles.Desiretobringchangebybecomingthevoiceof theneedypeople,conveyingtheproblems,andappealingto thepublicandgovernmenttoadoptsuitablemeasuresto improvethesituation.
Allthemembersarepositiveintheirthoughts,words,and actions.NGOsaimtoconnectthepossibilitiesofchanges ratherthanjustexpressingconcernandcriticizing continuously.
Theyfirstspreadthenewsaboutsocialissuesondifferent socialmediaplatforms,posters,handbills,andsometimes pressadvertisements.Inaplannedapproach,theyconduct variousactivitieskeepingthegovernmentintheloopand abidingbyallthelegalprocedures.
Anexcellentdisplayofcontagiousenergyrunsanddrives theorganizationalworking.Theenthusiasminthemembers isreflectedthroughtheirdressing,smiles,communication, andenergeticmovements.
Everybodyisconnectedtothecauseandthespiritofthe organization.Theseniormembersoftheseopen-formatted organizationsplanandmonitortheactivities.Theyremind allmembersabouttheschedulesandfollowthestandard operatingprocedures(SOP)forsmarterworking.
Fromadifferentperspective,NGOsareamazingsourcesof collaborativelearningandpersonaldevelopment. Enthusiasticindividualsfromvariousbackgroundscome togetherwithacommongoalofbringingaboutpositive changeinsociety.Itnurturesanopenatmospherewhere everyonegetstovoicetheirconcerns,ideas,views,and contributionstoo.
Youngschoolchildren,collegestudents,professionals, homemakerstoseniorcitizensallareseenascontributing membersoftheactivities.NGOshelptobuildinterpersonal skills,anattitudeofgratitudeandhoneresponsibility towardsourpeopleandthenaturearoundus.Thesocial networkingandbondingthathappensovervarioussocial activitiesbuild-up
Acandleburnsitselftogivelighttoothers.Soarethe NGOscomprisedofseveralselfless,noblepeoplewhotake outtime,money,andeffortsfromtheirpersonallivesto supportthesocialcause,spreadawareness,andnurture humanefeelingsinthepeople.
Theyareflagbearersofsocialmovementswhichtaketime togetnoticed,felt,understoodtobesupported,andtaken uponalargerscale.NGOscertainlyplayaninstrumentalin influencingdevelopmentsinvarioussocialcausesthey address,therebydiscreetlycontributingtothebuildingof thenation.
- KedarBorgaonkar
ealthcaremustbeaccessibletoeveryone.Noone
Hshouldsufferbecauseofnotgettingprecise treatmentattherighttime. Especially newborn babies and children,whoareourfuture.Asaprogressive anddevelopingsociety,itisourfundamentaldutytomake surethatanaccessiblehealthcareecosystemiscreated. However,inIndiaduetomultifariousreasons,children fromtheweakerandunderprivilegedsectionsofsociety nevergetthatmuch-neededaccesstohealthcare.
This is a major cause of concern.Becausetherearemany diseasesincludingsome critical birth defects whichprove fatalintheearlyyearsofachild’sdevelopment.Iftheyare nottreatedtimelyandpreciselywitheverypossiblesolution wecanoffer,thenourfuturegenerationwillbejeopardized orvulnerabletofurthercontingencies.Itishightimeand needofthehourwemusttakeaction.
Inthisregard,DrVikasKohli,theFounderandTrustee oftheChildHeartFoundation(CHF),is on a mission to makepeopleawareof Congenital Heart Diseases (CHD), whichis one of the most common birth defects andalso providetreatmenttothechildrenfromthepoorsectionof society.
AccordingtoDrKohli’sexpertknowledge, one child is born in hundred live births with heart disease.DrKohli informs,“In India, every year 170,000 to 200,000 children are born with heart disease, unfortunately, only 16,000 to 20,000 get treated. Rest do not survive or are added to the pool of waitlisted children.”Thisisindeedheartbreaking.
DrKohlifurtherstatesthattheprimarychallengeswith managingCHDcasesinIndiaare,
a lack of paediatric cardiology treatment infrastructure,
very few number of paediatric cardiologists and paediatric cardiac surgeons, when many more are needed for our population,
lack of public awareness, and
very high treatment costs
However,DrKohlipromisestooffersolutionsforeach oftheseproblems.Heshares,“All our programs at CHF are designed to meet these challenges and thus provide endto-end support. We offer free echocardiography screening, and treatment, sponsor live-saving cardiac medicines and train paediatricians and neonatologists in echocardiography.”
CHFistheonlyorganisationofferingfreefoetal echocardiographyservicetopregnantwomenfor diagnosisofanyfoetalcardiacabnormality CHF is one among the very few organisations working with children with heart diseases in India
CHFwasregisteredin2013asaTrustundertheIndian TrustAct1882inDelhi.Itwasfoundedby Dr Kohli, a leading paediatric cardiologist and six parents whohad gonethroughemotionalandfinancialturmoilwiththeir ownchildrenandwantedtohelpchildrenfrom underprivilegedfamilieswhoweregoingthroughsimilar conditions.
CHFhasalltheGovernmentcertificationsandisregistered withBSESamman, Gold certified by GuideStar India.
DrKohlistates,“We offer free services in Delhi, Jalandhar (Punjab) and Siliguri (West Bengal) Our organisational mission is that no child should die due to a lack of access to treatment due to the financial constraints of parents.”
TheGoldenHeart
Furthermore,FellowAmericanAcademyofPaediatrics, FellowAmericanCollegeofCardiology,Diplomate AmericanBoardofPaediatrics,AmericanBoardof PaediatricCardiology,DrVikasKohligraduatedwith five gold medals fromthe University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi in 1986
HesubsequentlyfinishedhisPaediatrictrainingfrom PGIMER(Chandigarh). HecompletedhisPaediatric Residency(USA)attheMontefioreMedicalCenter,New YorkandtrainedinPaediatricCardiologyattheUniversity
Our organisational mission is that no child should die due to a lack of access to treatment due to the nancial constraints of parents.
Dr Vikas Kohli LeadingNGOsImpactingofMiami.HesubsequentlypractisedPaediatricCardiology inFlorida before returning to India.
Hehasperformedseveraluniqueinterventionalprocedures includingFlowRestrictorImplantationinPulmonaryArtery forthefirsttimeinIndia;performedaballoonpulmonary valvuloplastyona1.7Kgchild;andballoonvalvuloplasty onachildlessthanonedayold.Healwayshadthisdream ofstartingfreeservicesforchildrenwithheartdiseases fromunderprivilegedfamilies
DrKohliconveys,“Ourpatientsforbothpaediatricand foetalscreeningarereferredfromallgovernmenthospitals inDelhi.
Thisgotfulfilledin2013whenChildHeartFoundationwas foundedinDelhialongwithsixparentswhosechildwas treatedbyDrKohli. His mission is to save each and every child with heart disease
DrKohliadds,“Through various programs, we have screened more than 15,000 children for any cardiac abnormality, got 160 children treated for the diagnosed heart disease, provided foetal echocardiography service to more than 7,000 pregnant women, trained more than 160 paediatricians in echocardiography and are providing free medicines to 22 children with Pulmonary hypertension.”
Beinganexperiencedleader,DrKohliopineshowadopting moderndigitaltechnologiesimpactsthesocialreform sectorandhowCHFisadaptingtothechange.Hebelieves that technology has reformed and revolutionized the social sector,thisincludesaccesstomedicaldiagnostictools, organizationalmanagement,fundraisinganddonor engagement.
DrKohlisays,“We have upgraded to better healthcare diagnostic tools. We are using CRM and cloud-based technology for data management, fundraising and donor engagement.”
However,consideringthecurrentindustryscenario, FundraisingandCSRnetworkingareoneofthemajor challengesfacedbyCHFandDrKohliisovercomingthem
onadailybasistodriveCHFtothedoorstepofeveryneedy child.
ThatiswhyDrKohliisexpandingtheCHFssocial responsibilitydrivealongwiththecorporates.Hesays,“We are trying to involve corporate employees in CSR projects under the employee engagement program.”Thisinvolves directinvolvementinprojectimplementationprocessesand fundraising,communityawarenessprogramsetc.
DrKohli’sadvicetobuddingsocialentrepreneurswho aspiretoventureintothenot-for-profitspaceis straight from the heart.Hebelievesthattosurviveinthesocial sector,apersonshouldhavecommitment,patienceandalot ofcompassionandempathy.Oneshouldbetotalfaithand connectforthecauseandself-beliefandtrustinyourself andthepeoplewhoaregoingtobethebeneficiaries.
FurtherenvisioningscalingCHFsoperationsandofferings in2022andbeyond,DrKohlimentions,
Ÿ
Children are our future. We want to start few more OPD centers in Delhi for children from underprivileged families who can’t afford a private consultation and diagnosis. This will be followed by expansion to start an inpatient department and an ICU,
Replicate our echocardiography training program to other States in India,
Start free OPD screening and diagnosis centers in two more cities
Resilientwomenleadtoresilientcommunities, whicharethefoundationalbackboneofaresilient society.Onlyaresilientsocietycanmakea resilientnationwhichwillkeepprogressinganddeveloping toitsoptimumpotential.
Theonlywaytomakewomenresilientenoughisthrough educationandlearning.Itcouldonlybeachievedwhen womenthemselvesbelieveinlearningandacquiring knowledge.However,theyneedtobemadeawareofit, accesstoandalltheopportunitiesavailabletothemsothey canbuildtheirresilience,problem-solvingabilities,and leadershipskills.
Whatisnecessaryinthisregardisforgingsocial relationshipsandcreatingaself-empoweringecosystemof learningandeducation.JustlikeonecreatedbySwayam ShikshanPrayog(SSP),thenameofwhichitselfstands for Experimenting Self-Education for Empowerment.
SSPwasfoundedbythegreatvisionaryMsPrema Gopalanwithadreamof centering women’s leadership in community development.ShecompletedherMaster’s DegreeinSocialWorkfromtheprestigiousTATAInstitute ofSocialSciences,Mumbai.Hersearchforeconomic alternativesforwomenbelongingtopoorcommunitiesled hertopioneerworkwithsavingsandcreditforgrassroots womeninruralMaharashtra.
“Envisioned by the beloved Ms Gopalan, our approach at SSP is bringing vulnerable and marginalised women to the centre of leadership in addressing disasters and climatic risks across India. Although, Ms Gopalan is no more in physical form with us, her blessings, love, compassion, and enduring spirit will live forever in our hearts.”SaysMr UpmanyuPatil,Director-ProgramsatSwayamShikshan Prayog.
Upmanyuhashadexpertiseindisastermanagementand resilientdevelopmentforthelasttwodecades.Heisa highlycommittedandinnovativesocio-technical
developmentprofessionalwithanengineeringand managementbackground.
Hisworkhasbeencommittedtodesigning,developing,and strengtheninglarge-scaleinterventionsthatinvolve communityinstitutionsandPRIsinwaterand environmentalsanitationenergyandruraldevelopment acrossclimate-threatenedcommunities.
FosteringAWomenEntrepreneurialLeadership Network
Grassrootswomenasinnovatorsandchangemakersare demonstratingcommunityresiliencestrategiesthrough climateresilientfarming,sustainablelivelihoods,and entrepreneurshipdevelopment.
SSPwidelyadvocatesforchangingpublicpolicyinfavour ofrecognizinggrassrootswomen’scollectivesintheirnew rolesascommunityresourcepersons/communitylevel facilitators,andleadersandsharestheselearningswidely withpeernetworksandinstitutionsglobally.
Toconnectthegrowingnetworkofwomenentrepreneursto themainstreaminstitutions,SSPinitsroleasanecosystem builder, promoted:
Afederatednetworkofwomen’scollectives;
Women-ledAgriculturalValueChain
Sixwomen-ledFarmerProducerOrganization(FPOs)
Together,theseenterpriseentitiesprovideaccessto enterprisefinance,businesssupportandlinkstoglobaland domesticmarketplayersthatwomenneedtosucceedin remoteandopaquemarkets.
Six women-led FarmerProducerOrganisations(FPOs) arecreatedwithover4,672shareholders,whoaretaking leadintheagricultureandvaluechainsector.
Envisioned by the beloved Ms Gopalan, our approach at SSP is bringing vulnerable and marginalised women to the centre of leadership in addressing disasters and clima c risks across India.
ThevaluechainnetworkpromotestheproductionofDairy, Pulses,GoateryandVegetableswithotherproductsthatare requiredbysmallfamiliesinruralIndia.
ThejourneyofSSPthroughthedecentralisedleadershipof PremaGopalanwasnotaneasytaskasunorganisedpoor andmarginalwomencommunitiesdonotacquire knowledgeandpowerfulvoicestoraisetheirconcernsin theirfamiliesandlocalcommunities.Toaddressthis,SSP hasmobilisedwomeningroupstocollectivisetheir thinkingandaction.
Duringthe1993earthquakeinLatur,thesewomenhave cometogetherinmakingdecisionstorebuildhousesand addresslivelihoodsthroughgovernmentpartnership.
Upmanyusays,“The experience of Latur earthquake rehabilitation strengthened our confidence and approach to the grassroots-centred development initiatives.”
Furthertoaddthis,SSPworkedwithdifferentdisastersin Gujarat(2001earthquake),TamilnaduTsuami(2004),Bihar andAssamFloods(2008/2009)andKeralafloods(2018)to mobiliseandstrengthenwomen’sleadershipand communityresilience.
“Our Women-led Climate Resilient Farming (WCRF) model (also called a one-acre farming model) gained recognition from national and global communities. In 2017, SSP received the UNDP Equator price for this sustainable farming model,”revealsUpmanyu.
Women’sInitiativetoLearnandLead(WILL) Byunleashingruralwomenentrepreneursinailing economies,SSPhasopenedupnon-traditionallivelihood incomes,tripledhouseholdearningsandbuiltnewsocial capitalinexcludedareas.Ithasalsogalvanizedinvestors, businesstrainers,climatescientistsandgovernmentplayers topartnerwithruralwomenandco-createmarket-linked impact.
SSP’srecentflagshipinitiative,‘Women’sInitiativeto LearnandLead(WILL),’focusesonwomen’sagency andleadership,enablingthemtoparticipateingovernance, addresscriticalissuesathomeandinthecommunity,and empowerotherwomen.
Beinganexperiencedleader,Upmanyuopinesonhow adoptingmoderndigitaltechnologiesimpactsthesocial reformsectorandhowSSPisadaptingtothechange.He expressesthatSSP’sobjectiveistolearnandimplement newinnovationsthroughwomen’sleadershipandespecially womenincommunitiesarequickinlearningnew knowledgeandtechnologiesthatsuittheirrequirements.
Upmanyurecollects,“During the COVID-19 pandemic situation when mobility was restricted, our women learned digital skills in communicating and coordinating COVID19 response activities.”
Womenlearnedhowtoparticipateinandconductonline Zoommeetings,passingusefulmessagesandawareness videostocommunities,learningnewfarmingtechniques throughonlinevideos,conductingagricultureand livelihoodtrainingthroughdigitalmeetingplatformsetc.
LinkagewithbusinesssupportofSSPandSakhiUnique RuralEnterprise(SURE)ensuresthatbenefitsfrom Gaavkhoj online application reach thestakeholdersand alsogivesthemdigitalsupportbyproviding Mobile Platform Apps toimprovestandardmarketsforwomen stakeholders’businesses.
Now,thesewomenarecalled Digital Sakhis andtheyare empoweringcommunitieswithnewtechnologiesand knowledge.
Speakingaboutmanyobstacles,hurdlesandissues, Upmanyushares,“Climatic changes and natural disasters are major challenges but our Community Resilience Fund (CRF) is a risk mitigation measure to address these risks.” WomenFarmerscollectiveatclusterlevelandOneAcre farmingmodelitselfisade-riskingmodeltowardsclimate change.
Bureaucratichurdlesingettinggovtschemesand programmesareovercomebyregulardialoguesand lobbyingwithlocalgovernmentandotherstakeholders.
ExpandingSSP’ssocialresponsibilitydrivealongwiththe corporates, Upmanyu shares,“Weseecorporatesareoneof themajorstakeholdersindevelopmentinitiativesinIndia. NewlyemergedCSRinitiativesandtheirapproachto partneringwithNGOstoaddressSustainableDevelopment Goalsaregoingtobestrengthenedinthecomingyears.
WeworkwithCSRverycloselyforthelasteightyearsand broughtvisiblechangesinthevillagesofMaharashtra. Public/privatepartnershipistheneedofthehourandour workwithCSRhasdemonstratedthattechnology,
resources,andinnovativeknowledgecanbringbigchanges inthecommunity.”
Upmanyu’sadvicetobuddingsocialentrepreneurswho aspiretoventureintothenot-for-profitspaceisan inspirationalforceforSocialKnowledgeLeaders.He believesthatsocialentrepreneursareinspiringleadersfor manyandtheyaddedvaluetonewproductsandmarkets.
Headds,“When we mix business/entrepreneurship with a social approach there is always a risk in bringing success in business.”Soitwillbealwaysgoodthatbusinessshould betreatedasaprofitableventureandNot-for-profitplayers cansupportandenhancetheknowledgeofentrepreneurs.
AboutenvisioningscalingSSPs’operationsandofferingsin 2022andbeyond,UpmanyuinformsthatSSP’smain approachislearningadaptivepracticesandscalingtonew geographies.
InPostCOVIDera,SSPhasplannedtotakepositive lessonsfromthepandemicandfindasustainablesolutionto bringbackthecommunitiesinlivelihoods,health,food securityandagriculture.
with government and CSR gives us the opportunity to share and scale our approach to new communities across India. Our business and farming models are appreciated by the national government and CSR will be the key factor for many communities to reap success in their life,”concludesMrUpmanyuPatil.
DrKiranModiistheFounder,ManagingTrusteeof UdayanCare.ShefoundedUdayanCare,inDelhi, India,in1994,withthevisionof‘MakingYoung LivesShine,’whichrunsgrouphomesfororphaned andat-riskchildren,amongstmanyofitsprojects.
WithadoctorateinAmericanLiteraturefromIIT, Delhi,DrModiisapersonofvariedexperiencesin diversefields,suchaschildprotection,media,health, andchildren’stheatre.
BesidesrunningprogrammesforAlternativeCareof ‘OutofHomeCare’children,educationand Livelihoodprogrammesfordisadvantagedgirlsand youth,sheiskeenlyinterestedinraisingstandardsof careinAlternativeCare,andhasbeenorganising trainingsandresearch,andpublishingpapersonChild &YouthCareandfacilitatingCareleaversNetworkin India,asapathbreakingworktocollectivizeyouth withlivedexperienceofcare
SheistheFounderandEditorofanInternationalBiAnnualJournalonAlternativeCare:‘Institutionalised Children: Explorations and Beyond’(ICEB).Besides hermanagementresponsibilities,sheisa“Mentor Mother”tomanychildrenandyouth,givingthem personalisedcareandattention.
Recipient of many prestigious awards,DrModi continuestostrivetowardensuringtherightsof underprivilegedchildrenandyouthwiththesame passionandzealaswhenshestartedoutmorethan twoandahalfdecadesago.
Familyisthebasisofastrong,healthy,and prosperoussociety.Withoutfamily,thereisno community.Andwithoutcommunity,thereisno society.
Thusthefamilyisthatsocialsupportsystemwhich nurtures,nourishes,fosters,andflourishesourpresentand futuregenerations.“A family is an anchor for the development of strong and balanced children and youth,” believesDrKiranModi,theFounderandManaging TrusteeofUdayanCare.
DrModisaysthatIndiaisayoungcountrywithoverhalfof itspopulationbelowtheageof25years.Ifnurturedwell, thisdemographicdividendisthebiggestadvantagefor India.However,asignificantnumberofyouthandchildren inthiscountrydonothaveequitableaccesstonutrition, education,andsafety.
Thefutureofasocietyandanationisdependentonthe qualityofitsyouth.Childrenandyouthneedthe foundationalsupportandemotionalanchorwithinafamily togrowintostrongandbalancedadults.Itisthereforeof criticalimportancetostrengthenfamiliesandenableand empowerthem.Indiahasover23millionorphanedand abandonedchildren,whoaredeniedtheirbasicrightto growingupinanurturingfamilyenvironment.
“Udayan” is a Sanskrit word meaning “Eternal Sunshine,” revealsDrModi.
Justasthesunlightnourisheslifeonearth,“Our programs are designed to nurture and strengthen individuals and their families,”shesays.Registeredin1994asaPublic CharitableTrust,UdayanCareworkstoempower vulnerablechildren,women,andyouth,in34cities across15statesofIndia.
Startingwithjustonesmallgrouphome(Ghar)for ‘childrenwithoutparentalcare’inDelhiin1996,
In the last 28 years, Udayan Care has directly impacted the lives of close to 38,000 children, women, and youth.
UdayanCarehassupportedvariousdisadvantagedgroups byestablishingsmallchildcarehomes,enablinggirls’ highereducation,providingvocationaltrainingand livelihoodprograms,andadvocatingforbetterstandardsin institutionalcareandalternativecarespace.
DrModistates, “In the last 28 years, we have directly impacted the lives of close to 38,000 children, women, and youth throughourdifferentprograms.”Thiswasmade possibleonlythroughthesupportoflike-mindedpeople, donors,partners,volunteers,andstaff,whobelievedin Udayan’sworkandmission.
Eachmilestoneofthe28-yearjourneyhasbeenpossible onlybecausesomeone,somewheremadeachoiceto supporttherightsofchildren,youthandwomenUdayan serves.Becauseofthesteadfastbeliefofthousandsof peopleacrosstheglobe,“We have been able to bring sunshine, hope, and joy in the lives of our beneficiaries as well as lakhs of indirect beneficiaries from our training programs and advocacy efforts,”saysDrModiadding, “We run five innovative programs under the umbrella of Udayan Care:”
UdayanCare’sGharProgramfocusesonreintegration, familystrengthening,andprovidescareandprotectionto vulnerablechildren.Basedonthebeliefthatalovinghome andfamilyistherightofeverychild,UdayanGharsare long-term,groupresidentialhomesthatnurturechildren
whoareorphaned,abandonedoratrisk,inafamily-like environment.
This‘GroupCare’modelensureschildrenarelovedand caredforbyagroupofMentorParents(long-term volunteers),withthehelpofateamofcaregivers,social workers,andmentalhealthprofessionals.UdayanGharsare locatedinmiddle-classneighbourhoodstohelpchildren integratewithmainstreamsociety.
Childrenreceiveaqualityeducationinsomeofthebest schools.Oncetheyreachtheageof18years,theyare supportedthroughourAftercareProgramandcontinue withhighereducationorvocationaltrainingtowards economicindependence.Sinceitsinceptionin1996, UdayanGharhasnurtured1640children.
DrModishares,“Constant efforts are made to reintegrate children back into their families, and support families in being able to look after them, or get them into adoption etc. Those whose families are not functional or not found, they grow up with us, like a family.”
Genderdiscriminationpreventsmillionsofgirlsfrom weakersectionsofsocietytogetanequalopportunityto continuetheireducation.UdayanShaliniFellowship Programisuniqueacademicexcellenceandpersonality developmentprogramfordeservingandtalentedgirlsfrom underprivilegedbackgrounds.
Aneducatedandempoweredgirlnotonlystrengthensher parentalhomebutalsoestablishesastrongfamilyunitof herown.
Makingaconsciouschoicetosupportthehighereducation ofdisadvantagedgirls,UdayanCarebegantheUdayan ShaliniFellowship(USF)in2002inDelhiwith72girls.It isaimedatempoweringgirlsfromdisadvantaged communitiestobecomedignified,independentwomen (Shalinis’),leadersandresponsiblecitizensoftomorrowby providingfinancialandmentoringsupportforsecondary andgraduatestudies.
Itofferspersonalitydevelopmenttrainingandexposureto viablecareerchoices.Anotherprimaryaimoftheprogram istoinculcateasenseofsocialawarenessandresponsibility inthegirlsastheyareencouragedtogivebacktosociety.
Dr Modi informs,“Today, many of our Shalinis are pursuingfieldslikeEngineering,MedicalStudies, CharteredAccountancy,VocationalTraining,Nursing,and ComputerScience,amongothers.”
Thereareover5500girlsintheprogramcurrently.Sinceits inception,USFhassupported11,000girlsfromloweconomicbackgrounds.
BasedonUdayanCare’smissiontoenableeveryadultthe dignityofself-reliance,UdayanCare’sInformation TechnologyandSkillCentreswereinitiatedin2004to enableunderservedyouthandadultstoimprovetheir livelihoodoptions.
Technical,vocational,andprofessionalskillsarelacking amongdisadvantagedcommunitiestobecome economicallyself-reliant.TheUdayanCareITEducation andVocationalTrainingProgramssupportfamiliesby skillingtheiryoungoffspringandwomenwithemployable skillsandgettingthemontofinancialself-sufficiency throughcareersorentrepreneurship.
“
Our centres offer certificate and diploma courses in basic as well as advanced computer applications,suchas Microsoft,TallyandGraphicandPrintdesignetc.Courses arecertifiedbyMicrosoft,Tally,AdobeandNIELIT(a Governmentbody),”saysDrModi.
SpokenEnglish,lifeskillsandemployabilitytrainingare alsopartofthecurriculum.Asof1stAugust2022,the UCITprogramhasskilledover21,658youth.Thecurrent placementrateforUCITstudentsis70%forentry-level jobs.
“OurSkillCentreatGreaterNOIDAhastrainedmorethan 1500underservedwomeninStitchingandTailoring, BeautyTherapy,PaperCraft,EnamelWork,BlockPrinting, GraphicDesign,Chinapainting,etc.,andprovide livelihoodopportunitiesfordisadvantagedwomenby sellingitemscreatedbythem,underthelabel‘Sukriti,’ says Dr Modi.
TheSkillCentreinPauri,Uttarakhand,runsclasseson Yoga,DigitalLiteracy,HindiTyping,Sewing,and Hospitality.TheCentrealsoworkscloselywiththelocal communityandassiststhemwithenrolmentinvarious welfareschemesofthegovernment.
“Our Skill Development Centres at Greater Noida and Pauri Garhwal providelivelihoodopportunitiesfor disadvantagedwomen,”addsDrModi.Itisdoneby trainingthemindifferentskillsrangingfromstitching, beautytherapy,enamelledproducts,potteryandpapercraft tocomputer-aidedpatternmakingandgraphicdesigning. Theitemscreatedbythemaresoldunderthelabel‘Sukriti’.
DrModisays,“Our advocacy efforts explore different aspects of policy and practice around alternative care for children and youth through research, publications, consultations, training, seminars, and workshops. From recommendations for policy and legislative reform to
training practitioners on standards of care, we also develop material on various aspects of Alternative Care.
We have instituted BiennialConferencesonAlternative Care(BICON) to bring together representatives working on youth development, child protection, and child care
Our academic, bi-annual, double-peer-reviewed, journal, “InstitutionalisedChildren:ExplorationsandBeyond,” launchedinMarch2014,nowinpartnershipwithSAGE Publishing,addressesthegapsinresearch,knowledge,and counsellingpractices,prevalentinworkingwithchildrenin AlternativeCare,intheeightSouthAsiancountries.Nine volumesofthisjournalthatinclude17issueshavebeen publishedsofar
UdayanCarehasconductedtrainingonvariousaspectsof juvenilejusticeandalternativecarewithkeystakeholders, children,andyouth,tobuildtheirknowledge,attitude, capacitiesandskillsinaftercare,casemanagement,and family-basedcarein12statesofIndia.
Sofar,132sessionshavebeenconductedwithover5400 participants.“We have also been selected by central and state governments as members of several special committees on developing guidelines on aspects of child protection,” mentionsDrModi.
UdayanCareisalsofocusedonFamilyStrengtheningfor childrenrestoredduringCOVID-19inDelhi.InOctober 2021,itlaunchedaninnovativeprojecttosupport34 familieswithlinkagestoschemesandentitlements.Dr Modisays,“Our ‘Circle of Care’framework enables and empowers the families thereby ensuring that children restored to their families do not get unnecessarily separated again.”
Givingopportunitiestoyoungpersonstoexpress themselvesandbecomechange-makers.UdayanCarealso startedafirstofitsfellowshipprogramforCareleaversin IndiaandtheprogramisknownasLearninginFellowship TogetherorLIFT.Thisalongwithourtechnicalsupportto stategovernmentsinBiharandMParealogicalfalloutof theseminalaftercareresearchwedidin2019withover500 Careleaversand100keyinformants.
Neha(name changed)grewupasachildwithspecialneeds inahostileenvironmentasherfatherstruggledwithalcohol
abuse.Vulnerableduetofinancialconstraints,thefamily wasforcedtosendhertoworkasadomesticworker.She wasexploitedbyheremployersandunabletobearthe trauma,ranawayfromthem.
Shewasrescuedfromthestreetsandtransferredto Jagshanti Udayan Ghar for Girls,GreaterNoida.Nehawas enrolledina Special Education School,whereshehas bloomedgracefully.Sportshasalwaysbeentheone engagementwhereshefoundherpeaceandpurpose.Her untiringzealforVolleyballhasledhertobeshortlistedfor the Special Olympics Bharat Volleyball team
Chetnawasdiagnosedwithprofounddeafnesssincebirth. Asachild,shecouldnotcomprehendwhysheisdifferent fromothersandlongedtobelikeothers.Growingupina poorhousehold,shewasdeterminedtonotbedictatedby herfateandtomakeherselfindependentandstrong.She joinedtheUdayanCareITCentreinWestDelhiand pursuedaDiplomainITwhereshewastrainedinboth technicalandsoftskills.Today,Chetnahasjoinedoneof thetopfirmsasanAccountsIntern.Shehasachievedher dreamofbecominganindependentcareerwoman.
Sweta,thedaughterofastationarybookssupplier,belongs toafamilyofthree.Shefounditdifficulttocontinueher educationonherfamily’smeagreincome.Butwiththe supportfromUdayanShaliniFellowshipProgram’s scholarshipandpersonalmentorship,shechasedherdreams fiercely.
Swetacompletedhertraininginnursingandin2019was hiredasaStaffNurseatR.G.KarMedicalCollegeand Hospital.DuringtheCOVID-19pandemic,sheworked tirelesslyanddiligentlyasafrontlinehealthworker.Her selflessservicetowardshumanityhasbeenhonouredby prestigiousorganizationsliketheTrainedNurses AssociationofIndiaandtheRotaryClubofSunCity, Kolkata.
Thesearejustsomeoftheinspirationalstorieswhere UdayanCaresupportedayoungmindtobloomintoa successfullife.“We are on a mission to make young lives shine!”saysDrModi.
Asrightlyquotedbythegreatgloballeaderand philosopherMahatmaGandhi,itismostnecessaryforus tounderstandthesocialscenearoundusandstep forwardincontributingourbesteffortstoimprovethe situationhoweverandwhateverispossible.
Weoftencomeacrossseveralsocialsituationsinour everydaylivesthatneedtobeaddressedwithproper planning,efforts,andcollectivecontributionsofpositive people.Non-GovernmentalOrganizations(NGOs)play animportantroleinidentifyingsocialissues,spreading awarenessaboutthem,andinitiatingbasicstepstowards resolvingtheissuesatafundamentallevel.
Childrenfromlow-incomefamiliesgetdraggedinto workinginlaboriousworkinmines,constructionsites, brickkilns,restaurants,bakeries,dairies,andgarages. Suchcasesoftengounnoticedbuthappeninthedark underneath.NGOsplayanessentialroleinspreading awarenessabouttheseunethicalandharmfulpractices, communicatingwithemployersandfamilies,and helpingresolvetheirbasicproblems.Thesechildrenare encouragedtoenrolinschoolswhereallthebasic facilitiesareprovided.NGOshelpfamiliesbecomeselfreliantbyworkingonsomeincome-earningskillsbased ontheprevailingmarketrequirements.
TheconcernaboutilliteracyisaddressedbytheNGOs throughtheirawarenessdrives,counsellingtherural people,laboursegmentsandpoor,underprivileged sectionsofthesociety.NGOscollaboratewithnumerous organizationsandpublicsupporttobeginschoolsin remoteareaswherestudentstendtodropoutduetothe challengesoftravellinglongdistances.Effortsarebeing madetohelpthemrelocatetotheurbanstandardregions whereschooling,hostel,andcanteenfacilitiescanbe provided.Manyentrepreneurshavevolunteeredtoteach studentsinschoolswhereteachersareunavailable.
NumerousNGOsareinstrumentalinhighlighting, addressing,andimprovingthesocialstatusofwomenin society.Whetherruralorurban,NGOshaveidentified single/divorced/abandonedwomenstrugglingonvarious fronts.Variousissuesofdomesticviolence,social stigmaandpublicill-treatmentareaddressedbyoffering propercounselling,guidance,andmoral,physical,and monetarysupportfortheirrehabilitation.Womenare taughtseveralvocationalandprofessionalskillsfor becomingindependentinstartingtheirbusinessesor takingupjobs.
Unemploymentisoneofthewidespreadchallengesin ourcountry,whichNGOsareaddressingbyconducting
counsellingandtrainingsessions—educatingthe unemployedpeopleaboutgettingtherightjobsbyhelping themintheirCVpreparationandbasicEnglish communicationwithessentialprofessionalcomputer operatingskills.SWOTanalysisconductedduringthe sessionshelpsinidentifyingtheirinterestsandnatureand preparingthemfortherelevantjobprofiles.
Risingurbanizationcoupledwithmultiplyingnumbersof vehicleshasputpressureontheenvironment.Addressingto thesame,numerousNGOsorganizefrequenttreeplantation drivestoincreasetheessentialgreencoverintheregion. Theyorganizethecompleteactivitiesbyprocuringdifferent typesofplantsaplings,identifyingtheopenareas,and invitingmanypeopletovolunteerforthisactivity. Initiativesoforganizingandprovidingsaplingstopeoplein variouscommonareasareconductedtoenablepeopleto contributetothetreeplantationdrives.
Risingpopulation,uncertainmonsoonmovementsand expandinginfrastructurehaveledtoayearlywater consumptionrise.ModernNGOshelpaddresstheissuesof unevenwatersupply,waterscarcity,waterleakagesand waterconservation.Theykeepaclosetabonwaterusagein residential,commercialandindustrialareasandspread awarenessaboutoptimizingwaterconsumption.
Daybyday,thenumberofvehiclesonroadsisincreasing, puttingpressureonthecurrenttrafficsystem.NGOs
organizeregulardrivestosupportthetrafficauthoritiesin spreadingawarenessoftheuseofhelmets,wearing seatbelts,andobservingandrespectingtrafficsignals.The volunteerswearingneon-colouredjacketsandcapsassist theunmannedtrafficsignals,unmannedrailwaycrossings andbusysquaresofthecity.
Thefast-movinglifeofthismodernworldhasmadeit challengingforseniorcitizenstocopewiththepace.
ManysocialorganizationswithNGOshavemadea networkoftheirvolunteersinkeepingtrackofthesenior citizenineveryarea,whoreachuptothemforinteracting, communicating,listening,helping,supporting,counselling, andattendingtotheirneeds.Theseniorcitizenhasmany unspokenissuesonhealth,movements,talkingand recreation,whichtheNGOspositivelyaddress.Thepurpose hereistohelpthemleadacomfortableandnurturedlife.
TheroleofNGOstodayisvastanddeep-rooted.Manyof themoperatedirectlyanddiscreetly,focusingonmakinga changeinthelivesoftheneedy.Ledbythestrongdesireto helppeopleandinspiringmanyotherstojointheirnoble efforts,NGOstodayhavedevelopedvaluableand promisinghopeforthechallengedandunderprivileged sections,therebycontributingtoupliftingthelivesofmany.
- KedarBorgaonkar
Arvind K. Malik CEO Udyogini
Women’sEmpowermenthasbeentheprimary focusforbothgovernmentandmostNon-profit organizations.Voluntaryactionpromotedby theprominentNPOsandNGOsengagedindevelopment playasignificantroleinruraldevelopment,whichis dependentupontheactiveparticipationofthestakeholders togetthedistinctprogramsimplementedforthebetterment ofWomen’slives.
Moreover,womenempowermentcanbeachievedby adoptingagender-sensitivedevelopmentalapproach,access toeducation,functionalliteracy,politicalandecosystem support,aneffectivepro-womenlegislationandfocused employmentgenerationprogramsforwomen.
NPOs,NGOsandself-helpgroups(SHGs)playaveryvital roletowardswomenempowermentbyprovidingbasic education,vocationalandentrepreneurshiptrainingforselfemployment,legalaid,protectionforwomen,genderand self-awarenessprograms.
UdyoginistandsoutasaleadingNPOandapioneerin developinganentrepreneurshipframeworkbyintegratinga genderlensandclassifyingbarrierswomenfaceateach stageofbecominganentrepreneur.
Udyoginiworkswiththemostvulnerable,marginalized womentoempowerthemeconomically.Underthecoherent leadershipofArvindK.Malik,CEO,Udyoginicatersto theneedsofpoorwomen,buildingtheircapacityand strengthenslocalresourcesandecologyforcreating sustainablelivelihoods.
Empowermentisajourney,andeconomicindependenceis onemilestone.Itisapowerfultoolforacquiringconfidence andself-belief.Udyoginiofferspathwaysforfinancial independencethroughentrepreneurship,skill-basedjobs, andself-employment.
Theorganizationrecognizesthebarrierswomenfaceas theydecidetomoveuptheladdersocially,economically andpolitically;hence,itstrivestostrengthentheoverall spaceofwomeninthefamilyandinsocialspheresfor womentohaveanenablingenvironmenttorealizetheirfull potential.
ArvindhasadegreeinForestrySciencefromPantnagar AgricultureUniversityandadvancedtraininginhuman rights.Hehasover30yearsofexperienceworkingwith
someleadingnationalandinternationalNGOsinthe developmentsector.
HespenttwoandhalfyearsasRegionalRural DevelopmentManager,AgaKhanFoundation,Afghanistan, between2011to2013.ArvindwasrecognizedasFord Fellowin2015,aglobalfellowshiporganizedbyFord MotorCompanyand92StreetY,USA.
Udyoginihasaremarkablehistoryofinception.Itwas conceptualisedin1992byagroupofeminentpeopleto implementaninnovativeprojectoftheWorldBankcalled “WomenEnterpriseManagementTrainingandOutreach Program”tocreateamovementforwomen’seconomic empowermentinIndia.Inthatera,theorganizationwas recognizedasaserviceproviderandaresourceagencyto NGOsandGovernmentBodies,undertheleadershipof (Chairandfoundingmember)MsElaBhatt,theFounderof Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
From2000onwards,Udyoginihasevolvedasanexpertin Entrepreneurship,particularlybuildinglivelihoodsby promotingmicroenterprisesinselectedproductsvalue chainsandcreatingruraljobsalongtheentirevaluechainin ruralareas,ensuringthatwomenandyouthhaveadecent incomeandvoicetochangetheirowncircumstances.
Someoftheearliestprojectsincludepromotinghandicraft clusterinPugalBikaner,Rajasthan,incensesticks productionandchunarimakinginSaharanpur,UPand forestandfarm-basedproductsinMandla,MP.
Currently,Udyoginiisoperatinginfivestates–including Chhattisgarh.MadhyaPradesh.Uttarakhand,Jharkhand, andRajasthan–engagingwithover50,000womenand youthin22differentproductssuchashoney,lac,chilli, tamarind,herbaltea,ghee,andmanymore.
Udyoginiprovidescutting-edgesolutions–skill-basedjobs, market-basedlivelihoods,andlocalenterprisessuitableto women’scontexts,aspirations,andcapabilities.Theteam challengethenotionthatentrepreneurshipisamaledominatedspaceandconnectsaspiringwomen(andyouth) withthemarkets,removesbarriers,buildsskills,capacity andenablesassuranceofresources.
Aswomen’sincomeincreases,theyexercisegreateragency andchallengethestatusquoathomeandoutside.
Mr Malik expresses,“Women’sentrepreneurshipdoesn’t existinavacuum.Theirsurroundingsmayhaveadirect andindirectimpactontheiraspirations,letaloneontheir enterprises.Werecognizethatitisimportanttoovercome someoftheworriesforwomenandstrengthentheir environmentssotheycaninveststronglyintheirdreams.”
Tomakethishappen,Udyoginiactivelyworkson–
Ÿ Creatingamoregender-equaldiscoursebyintegrating Gender Justice Training and Entrepreneurship (involvingmenofthefamilies/communities).Women viewedasdriversandleaders
Ÿ Focusoncapacitybuildingforwomen (Starts with incremental steps towards from livelihood security for poverty alleviation and moves to empowerment through promotion of Micro Enterprise)
Ÿ Strengtheningvaluechainoflocalproducethrough end-to-endsolution(inputsupply,production, Aggregation,Valueaddition,Marketing)
Ÿ BasketApproachforsustainablelivelihood
Ÿ Protectingandmanagingnaturalresources/ecologyto bolstercommunities’bondwiththeirnatural environments.
Ÿ Addressingimmediateneedsthroughconvergencewith
governmentandotherorganizationsuchaswater, hygiene,health,andsanitationsowomenareableto focusonmoreproductiveactivities.
Ÿ Improvingfinancialandfunctionalliteracyandlinkages withsocialprotectionschemesoftheGovernment.
Skill Building is integral to creating livelihoods. Udyogini recognizesthatskills-basedjobs/employmentareadream formany,especiallyyoungmen,andwomen.Theestimates alsopaintasimilarpicture–asmanyas49%ofthetotal unemployedinIndiaareyoungjobseekers.(NitiAyog, 2017).
Theorganizationworkswithpartnersandtechnical institutionsthatprovidestandardoperatingprocedures,skill trainingandjobplacements.
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Udyoginireceivedthe‘Aga Khan Foundation India Innovation Fund’(ACompetitive Award)intheyear2006foritsprojecton buildingahandicraftenterpriseinPugalblock, Bikanerdistrict,Rajasthan.
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UdyoginiwasoneoffiveIndianorganizations tobeselectedby Yale University’s Global Social Entrepreneurship Program fora partnership.
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Udyoginihaswonthe‘Amodini Award’for womenempowermentat Godfrey Philips Bravery Award Ceremony.
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Ultimately,Udyoginimobilizesyouth,screenstheir interests,addressestheirapprehensions,andpreparesthem forhighereducation,vocationalandsoftskilldevelopment, andjobplacements.Sofar,theorganizationhasskilledand placed20,000youth.
Similarly,italsorecognizesthatself-employmentisan importantstrategyforbuildinglivelihoods.Theskill-based jobs(blue,white,andpinkcollar)maynotbeadequateina countrylikeIndia,givenitslargepopulationandpoorjob absorptioncapacity.
Adoptingafuturisticapproach,Udyoginiassistsyoungmen andwomeninsettinguparuralenterprisethroughskill training,linkagesforfinancialandbusinesssupport,and handholding.Addingtothis,MrMaliksays,“So far, we have supported 50,000 women for self-employment, and currently, we are training another 20,000 young women for self-employment under the Tejaswini Programme.”
UdyoginiwasrecognizedbyNationalRural LivelihoodMission(NRLM),Ministryof RuralDepartment,GovtofIndiaasoneofthe pioneersinNPOstoeffectivelydeliver extensionservicesforscientificcultivationof LAC(designedanddevelopedbyIndian InstituteofNaturalResinsandGums-IINRG, Ranchi)to10000tribalproducersinthree districtsofJharkhand.
This achievement was further acknowledged by FORD FOUNDATION to scale up the extension model through other non-profits in states like M.P, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
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Udyoginihasrecentlybeenrecognizedasthe ‘Chairperson’sDistinctionfor2019-20’inthe EntrepreneurshipandOutreachcategoryfor upliftingruralandtribalwomenbyhelping thembecomeself-sufficient”bythe6theNGO Challenge.
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Udyoginiwasawardedthe‘World of Difference 100 Award’forMakingadifferencein Women’seconomicempowermentby The International Alliance for Women,Washington DC,USA.
