Dhriti Foundation

Financial inclusion remains a persistent challenge for marginalized individuals, particularly those residing in slums. The Foundation tackles this issue by facilitating access to formal banking services and digital channels, empowering individuals to build assets, secure their lives and property, and access safe credit. Through comprehensive financial literacy training, it assists in bank linkages for loans and Government schemes, aids in compliance such as account opening and Aadhaar-PAN linkages, facilitates enrolment in select Government programmes, provides financial planning workshops, and offers access to funds for specific purposes. Additionally, it promotes savings schemes and pension programmes, empowering underprivileged communities to overcome barriers and participate in the formal banking system.

The Dhriti Foundation takes a comprehensive approach to health, promoting prevention and supporting existing community health infrastructure. It raises awareness about diet, sanitation, and non-Covid diagnostics, enabling households to plan for better health. During the pandemic, it focuses on vaccination awareness, Covid safety, and supports Government hospitals and PHCs. Collaborating with local CBOs, it provides sanitisers for public toilets and establishes a medical hotline for non-Covid conditions. The Foundation prioritizes health literacy and access to healthcare facilities for underprivileged communities.

The Dhriti Foundation improves slum households' livelihoods by increasing their income through home-based work opportunities, training, and access to banking and Government schemes. It matches skills with employment, provides vocational training, and supports micro-entrepreneurs with finance and ongoing assistance. Its programmes include digital training, cooperative bank linkages, training women as financial agents, and promoting Covid-19 safety measures for business recovery.

The Dhriti Foundation extends community support by implementing urgent projects to address immediate needs in slum communities. It undertakes critical initiatives like food distribution, medical assistance, school equipment provision, and ongoing medical camps and sanitizer distribution. During disasters or disruptions, it collaborates with municipal authorities, the police, and foundations to provide assistance. The Foundation has successfully carried out projects such as managing community kitchens for flood and building collapse victims during the Mumbai Rain Relief in July 2021. It has also partnered with Mumbai Police to distribute sanitisers and support migrant travel. Additionally, it has provided ration kits to below-poverty-line households affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in collaboration with RCQNM. Another noteworthy initiative includes the installation of water filters in a slum school through Voltas CSR.

The Dhriti Foundation provides infrastructure support to slum communities, focusing on the restoration and improvement of schools and learning centres. It aims to rebuild and restock 100 slum schools, including BMC schools, Aanganwadis, and Balwadis, which have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and heavy rains. Its activities involve repairing schoolrooms by addressing roof, wall, and floor collapses, conducting necessary painting, and fixing water damage. Additionally, the Foundation ensures the provision of essential learning materials, teaching aids, and resources such as blackboards, books, games, and school equipment to enhance the educational environment for slum children.