Reaching out to the poor through crucial life skills

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It’s no longer a territory of only the convent educated, but even youngsters from slums and villages adjacent to the city are getting decent jobs, which demand soft skills and knowledge of English. After learning basic English and computer skills these underprivileged youngsters are finding jobs in companies like Westside, Nirulas, HDFC, IDBI, Cafe Coffee Day and Pizza Hut.

Twenty one-year-old Poonam Bharti greets you with a confident smile. She’s happy and proud that she has finally secured a respectable job at McDonald’s. There’s nothing different about Poonam from her co-workers, not till you probe a bit further. She is a resident of a humble neighbourhood of New Kondli, and has studied in a village government school. But Poonam is bringing about a life transformation for herself and her family. “With the help of an NGO, I enrolled myself for a basic English speaking and training course. I was lucky enough to get a job,” says Poonam who’s now taking care of her two younger brothers and is also pursuing B.A.
Meet 23-year-old Balkar Singh from Manesar, Gurgaon, who has been working with IDBI bank for the past two years. Balwar hadn’t seen a computer until he enrolled himself for the course, leave alone talking in English.
“Being the eldest, I had to support my family— parents, two brothers and a sister. There was no question of further study, and I had to take up any job. But then I got to know about this program,” says Balkar, who’s about to complete his graduation.
Like Poonam and Balkar, there are many more youngsters in villages, whom Smile Foundation is helping in making a better life with the help of their life skills program called “Step”. These market-driven courses are designed for youngsters to get them employment.
“It offers career counselling to students, to help them identify their interests, making them aware of potential industries in which they could take up jobs. With the help grassroot organisations active in these areas, we identify the needy and tell them about the benefits,” says Manju M. head, Step program. According to activists, these students don’t know what to do after Class 12. Most of them can’t afford any sort of education and end up taking menial jobs.
“They are educated from government schools so one can imagine their English speaking and computer abilities,” says Shayan Biswas, an activist. “What gives these candidates an edge over the rest is their hardworking nature and dedication towards their work. However, initially they are reluctant communicators, but they pick up fast. It’s great to extend a helping hand to them,” says Abid Akhtar Ansari of Cafe Coffee Day.
As many as 56 such centres are running in 41 cities in 19 states across the country. Six of them are in the city. In its journey so far, 4,432 students have been successfully trained, out of which 3,035 have been placed in leading firms.