Who are we?

Our HISTory

“In 2012, several young individuals from diverse backgrounds united. Among them were graduates from esteemed social work institutions such as the College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Some had already completed their education from these institutes, while others were affiliated with journalism or non-governmental organizations. These dynamic and passionate youth engaged in discussions about social and gender inequalities prevailing in India. They resolved to alleviate these disparities by empowering underprivileged groups within society.


The actual groundwork commenced in June 2012, when one of the youths received the Dalai Lama Fellowship. Subsequently, they began collaborating with government schools in Chiplun. To grasp the depth of social and gender inequalities, some of them conducted research involving 80 school children in the Chiplun block of Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. This inquiry revealed that addressing these disparities necessitates working with school children and cultivating a critical mindset toward society. They recognized the importance of not only empowering girls but also reshaping the perspectives of boys.


Consequently, the youth organized numerous workshops and sessions on fostering critical thinking among girls and boys. While observing a positive change in mindset among both genders, they noticed that girls still lacked confidence. Hence, on January 1, 2013, the youth arranged ‘Cricket Matches exclusively for Girls.’ This event marked the first instance in Chiplun where girls played cricket while boys watched. It significantly boosted the girls’ confidence levels.


The youth further organized seminars involving teachers, educators, and activists to emphasize the necessity of critical thinking and empowering girls through innovative activities. Recognizing the need for a structured approach, they officially registered their organization as the Upjeevika Foundation under the ‘Societies Registration Act 1860‘ on February 21, 2014.


We firmly believe that fostering Critical Thinking in education and empowering girls from a young age is paramount to diminishing social and gender inequalities. Hence, we conceived the idea of reaching out to underprivileged girls by launching a Mobile Library for Girls, aiming to provide them with additional educational resources and inspire them towards higher education.”

Our Mission

Our mission at Upjeevika Foundation is dedicated to the eradication of societal inequalities. We firmly believe in upholding the fundamental right to equality for all citizens of India, regardless of sex, caste, race, class, region, religion, or birthplace. Ultimately, our mission is to empower girls by providing them with education, thereby mitigating gender-based discrimination in society. Additionally, we endeavor to create livelihood opportunities for the underprivileged, ensuring a better future for them. Through these concerted efforts, we aim to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society for all

Our vision

Upjeevika Foundation envisions a society where equal educational opportunities empower girls, fostering a future where gender equality prevails. Through free arts training, spoken English classes, youth sensitization, and breaking gender stereotypes, we strive to create an inclusive environment that nurtures skill development, holistic growth, and societal change.

Our objectives

Our objectives are as follows:

 

Enhancing Educational Opportunities: We aim to reduce dropout rates and enhance enrollment rates among government school children by offering free arts training in disciplines such as dance, singing, and acting. Through these initiatives, we strive to create an inclusive learning environment that fosters skill development and promotes continuous education.


Empowering Through Language Skills: We are committed to empowering underprivileged children by organizing spoken English classes. By improving their language proficiency, we aim to equip them with essential communication skills crucial for their holistic development and future prospects.


Youth Sensitization and Engagement: Through our Youth Fellowship program, we aim to sensitize young individuals towards prevalent social issues. We aspire to nurture a generation of socially conscious and proactive youth committed to creating positive societal change.


Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Upholding our commitment to gender equality, we organize activities such as cricket and football for girls in Chiplun. By introducing these traditionally male-dominated games, we seek to break stereotypes and empower girls to confidently engage in activities irrespective of societal norms.

Talk to us

Have any questions? We are always open to talk about your business, new projects, creative opportunities and how we can help you.