Saath, India

Key Facts

• There is an acute unemployment problem amongst the marginalised and underprivileged youth in the urban slums of India.
• Youth with poor backgrounds lack the access to basic services, information and training, have sub-standard education and limited social skills.
• Umeed has reached out to over 11,000 young people providing over 77% of them with jobs and taking them out of the low skill/income cycles.

Saath’s Response

In 1994, Saath initiated its Umeed programme which aimed to create links with the job market and slum residents by teaching them life-skills, technical subjects and basic English. The programme then helps the students to gain access to sustainable sources of employment in high growth service centres.

Most jobs are at entry level in the sectors of science and technology, finance, marketing, health and home-care services, communication and hospitality services. Approximately 40% of the participants are girls and salaries range from Rs 3000 to Rs 6000.

Our Support

• In 2009-10, The British Asian Trust’s funding will enable the training of 15,000 young people to acquire a sustainable livelihood.

Charity News & Events

Rajendra Joshi, Managing Trustee, Saath, has been awarded the India Social Entrepreneurs Award for 2009 . The award is given by Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to social enterprises with significant impact in India. Read full story

Saath featured in Outlook Business India’s September 2009 issue, which profiles 50 leading social entrepreneurs from around India.

Co-Funder

The American Indian Foundation (AIF) is working as a co-investor and partner with The Trust.