Work Update.

A lot has happened over the past two months at work. Every day, Saath is unveiling a new inititaive: a construction survey (analysis of the families living in the blue tents on the side of the road); scaling up Umeed, the vocational training program (Microsoft is sponsoring the rollout in Rajastan); starting an affordable health insurance scheme; housing models, etc.

This was rather intimidating at first because I wanted to help, but had no idea where to start. But after meeting with Umeed students and faculty, interviewing alumni and conversing with co-workers, we (Umeed staff and I) put together proposal for a “Livelihood Resource Center” (LRC). I sat down with Rajubhai (head of Saath), Hitesh (head of Umeed) and Niraj (head of the URC) two weeks ago and after their significant input / comments / guidance, we are going to implement a pilot of the LRC.

Essentially, the LRC will:

Document the progress of all Umeed graduates by routinely calling each student (to measure impact).
Provide formal post-placement counseling/mentoring to Umeed graduates.
Provide computer access (MS Office, internet, higher training).

We are launching the first LRC in January at the Behrampura center. In addition, we are also putting computers in the URC (Urban Resource Centers where residents get access to basic services, livelihood programs and health info) as there is a large demand for basic computer access. This will be launched at the Vasna URC.

We will charge nominal fees for each service, but the long-term goals are:

To set-up a staffing service where we charge employers for placement services (within one year).
To equip community residents with computer skills so they become marketable for e-commerce (within 2-3 years); create employment through BPOs, consumption and distribution through e-retail, and e-governance, healthcare and education.

In other work-related news, I attended a co-worker’s wedding (and his bachelor party). A bunch of us from work went to the wedding, which was 20 kms outside of Ahmedabad. My co-workers (and their kids) are fun. Pictures below: