Grassroots India

Grassroots India's W.I.S.H. Network (Women's Independent Self-Help) unites mentors, leaders, teachers, students, and volunteers in uplifting marginalized women. Through scholarships covering housing, vocational training, education, and more, it fosters self-sufficiency and personal growth. The network builds team spirit and community support, providing essentials like backpacks and uniforms, and boosting self-confidence. Grassroots India's efforts extend to transforming conservative Odisha villages, empowering girls to break societal norms. "Upahar: Gifts of Love" encourages social service, and educational field trips enrich their experiences. In essence, Grassroots India empowers women, builds networks, and fosters positive change at the grassroots level.

Grassroots India offers a diverse range of courses and workshops aimed at empowering individuals, particularly women, and fostering personal growth. These include Emergency Medicine & Home Nursing courses, computer classes covering various software, tailoring programmes that enable students to establish businesses or secure jobs, and the W.I.S.H. Shop, which provides real-world business experience. Additionally, the organisation promotes creativity through art, music, dance, theatre, and film, encouraging self-expression and entertainment. Language skills, life skills, and workshops on women's health and rights are also provided. It conducts programmes addressing domestic violence, substance abuse, and offers internship opportunities for graduates to further their studies and research. The organisation operates from a secure facility in Cuttack, Odisha, equipped with essential infrastructure and resources to support its initiatives.

Grassroots India offers educational scholarships to underprivileged and deserving students, covering expenses like college admission, exam fees, and textbooks. Social workers assist students in guiding the admission process and exams. Beyond individual scholarships, Grassroots India collaborates with schools and colleges, supplying textbooks to children and donating library books to remote rural educational institutions. These initiatives aim to support students' academic pursuits and enhance educational resources in underserved areas.

Grassroots India plays a pivotal role in connecting students with educational and training opportunities, facilitating their transition into suitable employment. It focuses on enhancing students' soft skills and provides support for college and ITI admissions, CV creation, and obtaining necessary identification documents like Aadhaar and PAN cards. Graduates of First Aid and Home Health Aid courses are offered internships and job placements at healthcare institutions while tailoring students often establish self-employment in their villages or secure positions in the garment industry. Additionally, students from the computer and small business programmes receive placement opportunities in various office and retail settings, ensuring a seamless transition into the workforce.

Grassroots India extends vital medical aid and mental health support to address the pressing healthcare needs of women, particularly in rural areas. It operates a private ambulance service for the WISH Network, aiding in medical training and transportation. Recognizing the challenges rural women face, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to limited access to medical facilities and transportation, it provides comprehensive assistance, including hospital admissions, home-cooked meals, transportation, temporary housing, and grants for doctor visits and diagnostic tests. Additionally, the organisation prioritizes mental and spiritual well-being, offering free professional mental health services delivered by trained psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors. These services encompass individual and group sessions, contributing to the holistic development of programme participants, who also engage in healthcare classes as part of their curriculum.