Shakti Foundation

Shakti Foundation supports Gulmeher, a women's social entrepreneurship initiative in Ghazipur, New Delhi, empowering approximately one lakh waste-pickers, predominantly women, facing challenges like hazardous working conditions, discrimination, and limited access to education. Gulmeher transforms these waste-pickers into artisans, creating eco-friendly products from discarded flowers. This women-led social enterprise focuses on generating alternative income for 350 waste-picker households. Overcoming challenges of mobilization, training, quality, and market access, Gulmeher strives to improve livelihoods and the quality of life for waste-picking communities while addressing safety concerns close to their dwellings.

Addressing the challenge of low education levels among waste pickers and their children, the focus is on instigating change. The prevalent issue is the continuation of limited education, with children dropping out to contribute to family income. Confronting social stigma and a lack of access to mainstream schools, the learning gaps persist. The commitment lies in a comprehensive approach, involving the community to create a conducive learning environment. This includes academic and extracurricular activities, personalized adaptive learning, digital tools, and efforts to reintegrate dropouts into age-appropriate school classes, supporting both youth and adults in completing their education.

The commitment at Shakti Foundation centres on enhancing financial access for the unbanked, particularly waste pickers. The aim is to empower individuals, especially women and children, from vulnerable communities by facilitating easier access to financial services. Assistance is provided in completing necessary documentation for opening bank accounts, acting as a gateway to financial inclusion. The support extends to other family members, coupled with financial literacy training. In the last eight years, more than 4500 Jan Dhan accounts have been set up, marking progress toward the vision of inclusive financial empowerment.

In collaboration with the Digital Empowerment Foundation, the Shakti Foundation initiated a digital literacy campaign in urban slums, focusing on empowering women and girls. The programme creates a learning environment for them to acquire skills in using information and communication technologies, positioning them for success in the digital marketplace. Essential tools like computers, tablets, projectors, and UPS systems are provided for hands-on experience. The impact is evident, with women gaining functional knowledge of MS Office and a level of financial literacy through these interventions.

The I-dream initiative assists 120 underprivileged girls in completing high school, fostering their development into socially responsible and independent adults. This comprehensive approach plays a crucial role in preventing child sexual abuse, and early marriage, enhancing access to Government schemes, ensuring financial inclusion, and providing health and nutrition support. Meanwhile, the Panchi education program supports over 200 enrolled children in Ghazipur, focusing on out-of-school children. The programme brings them up to the educational level of their peers and boosts the academic performance of those already in school through supplementary tutoring before mainstreaming them into Government schools.