OUR PROJECTS
Qala
A project focused on empowering low income individuals through skill development, financial education and income generation opportunities. Project Qala is a holistic approach from training workshops to mentorship programs which allows individuals to access market opportunities and unlock their full potential.
COपल
COपल was started with the dual aim of generating employment for female laborers who lost their sources of income with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and making sustainable menstrual products more accessible to underprivileged women. The word ‘COपल’ means a new blooming leaf emerging from a tree. This is taken directly from the fact that periods are seen as ‘blooming’ for young women in many cultures. The onset of periods is the blooming of a new stage in life - one that is beautiful and tender, not impure or dirty. It also reiterates the importance of creating a cooperative system in ‘this’ moment which was pushed into chaos as the pandemic raged on. In other words, COoperating in this पल.
Hunnar
“Just had a glimpse through the videos and I must say, it brought a smile to my face.” This was the reaction of Saudamini Shama, one of the judges for Hunnar, a talent hunt that brought out the multitude of extraordinary talent embedded in blue-collar workers. Embarking on a journey with the intention of helping blue-collar workers gain confidence and recognition of their own talents, BTS organized Hunnar, a one-of-a-kind talent show. From dance and art to music and shayari, BTS witnessed a diverse array of astounding talent and limitless passion.
Shamशान
A segment of the society that becomes greatly invisiblised, even as they face a significantly higher risk with regards to Covid-19, are workers in crematoriums and burial grounds. While the nation vaccinated frontline workers on a priority basis, these workers have not been recognised within this category - even though they handle deceased Covid patients, putting their health at risk. They have been working long hours to keep up with the rising number of bodies to be cremated and buried - largely without enough pay, protective equipment, and food as well as having to contend with regular breaches of Covid protocols by grieving families.
Project Shamशान has been initiated to dignify these workers
Niyati
Niyati aligns with WHO's "mental health in an unequal world" theme and aims to empower the blue-collar female workers (especially, domestic workers) by providing them a platform where they can access mental health resources. . The Project has modules designed to spread awareness about anxiety, depression, and substance abuse by engaging the participants in community bonding exercises like Chai-pe-Charcha sessions, Dance therapy workshops, and Antakshari nights. The main aim of the project is to create an empathetic environment that will foster change by focusing on the well-being of domestic workers.
Vriddhi
Saving is difficult for blue collared workers. This means that workers are bereft of pensions, and are forced to continue to work, well after the official retirement age. Project Vriddhi aims at encouraging saving for informal sector employees. BTS adds a penny to each penny contributed by its beneficiaries and invests this sum in index funds in stock markets which are relatively low risk, to earn a decent rate of interest as every penny counts. Instead of the conventional low-risk, low-return model of fixed deposits, BTS enables their investment to give them higher interest rates at moderate risk. Savings for blue-collar households can empower them against exploitation and provide relief in emergency situations.
Qala
Project Qala delivers curated training workshops on computer literacy, stitching, handicrafts, beautician classes and entrepreneurship to empower community members of Bharatnagar and provide them with an avenue of alternate income. These classes are conducted in the library by Daksh and Municipal Corporation Delhi.
Prapti
BTS started Prapti to help daily wage workers easily understand and access government schemes. This project helps bridge hurdles such as internet connections and correct legal documents. We sit with the workers one on one to understand what scheme is best suited for their needs and the proceed with their enrollment in it.
The Local Artisans Drive
Souvenir sellers on roadsides, a frequent sighting of colourful balloons, sumptuous street food and cobblers on turns of the road are some things that lend life to the streets. As the pandemic hit the country in 2020, the life on the roads was also quietened and pushed back into safety. But with a hand-to-mouth subsistence and little income to fall back on, the livelihoods of these street hawkers and
vendors become severely threatened.
In 2021, after the pandemic had already resulted in a tremendous hit on the small-scale local businesses, BTS organized a statewide drive to record and document the experiences of such vendors, as well as buy their wares to do our part of being vocal for local, and to encourage other to do the same.
Covid Relief
When the pandemic hit the country and left the daily-wage workers under extremely uncertain circumstances, BTS launched the #21Days Challenge in collaboration with Youth for Sustainability. Under this, the candidates had to contribute just ₹10 for the next 21 days and nominate 5 others to do the same.
Zenith MP Migrant Volunteership
The nationwide lockdown due to the pandemic was a time of immense uncertainty for everyone. Migrants faced not only the immediate threat of the pandemic but also an abrupt loss of their livelihood. The pandemic proved to be a real testing time for them. Based on this, BTS joined hands with Zenith Law Society to document the experiences of many such migrants who moved from Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh - their homeland. With an aim to spread awareness about the unequal circumstances that the workers are subjected to, BTS contacted over 70 migrants belonging to the district of Bhind in Madhya Pradesh.
#Helpyourhelpers
Custom-curated with the aim of promoting inclusivity and fostering conversation between the youth and the people working behind the scenes in their lives, the #Helpyourhelpers Kit was designed to embody the real meaning of care towards the workers. As the name suggests, the kit is an additional material help extended to the workers to strengthen the foundational ideals of accessibility, awareness, financial stability and dignity of labour.