Volunteering / Research work conducted with

Joining Hands
to Re-imagine

Education, Empowerment & Employment

SAP Report Submission for the partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of
Business Administration in International Business

Submitted by:

D Rishi Kumar
Roll No: 14B, Section: B, MBA(IB) 2023-25 Batch

Under the supervision of:

Aparna Singh, Program Manager – Joining Hands

Graduate Studies in Management Division

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi

 JOINING HANDS

January 2024

Table of Contents

Title Page No

Acknowledgment 3

Abstract 4

Introduction 5

About The NGO 7

The Programmes 9

Key Takeaways 14

Conclusion 16

Course Outline (16 hrs.) for students aspiring 17, 18

to get into the retail sector

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 JOINING HANDS

Acknowledgment

I am delighted to present the report on the Social Awareness Program conducted during my
MBA (IB) studies. I express sincere gratitude to Aparna Singh, Program Manager at Joining
Hands, Delhi, for her unwavering support and guidance throughout our project. The success
of our efforts is attributed to her dedicated contributions. Additionally, we extend our
appreciation to Priyanka Das (Assistant Manager), Basanti Dhar (SAP Coordinator), and Ritu
Singh (Placement Convenor) from the NGO for their unparalleled support and assistance in
the project's development.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the faculty members of Joining Hands NGO for
their generous assistance and cooperation during our visits. I particularly appreciate the
valuable contributions of my teammates, which significantly enriched the overall experience
of this program.

Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to IIFT for allowing me to partake in this initiative and
contribute to societal service.

D Rishi Kumar_14B

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 JOINING HANDS

Abstract

This project report provides a critical examination of India's ongoing challenges related to
unemployment, particularly the concerning surge in youth unemployment rates, reaching a
peak of 28.26 percent in 2021. In addressing this intricate issue, the NGO Joining Hands
emerges as a catalytic force, directing its endeavors towards the core of the problem. With a
strategic emphasis on skill enhancement, employment initiatives, and scholarships for higher
education, Joining Hands actively empowers underprivileged urban youth, adeptly
transforming challenges into opportunities.

With a commitment to bridging the divide between classroom education and career
preparedness, the NGO has made an enduring impact, positively influencing the lives of
nearly 11 thousand individuals, achieving an admirable 53% female participation. Joining
Hands serves as a guiding beacon, steering young minds towards a more promising and
employable future. The organization's unwavering dedication to enhancing the employability
of urban underprivileged youth, especially through computer training, soft skills
development, and English proficiency, exemplifies a steadfast commitment to fostering
enduring change. As Joining Hands remains a reliable conduit from classrooms to careers, it
continues to shape the narratives of numerous young lives, paving the way for a brighter and
more equitable tomorrow.

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 JOINING HANDS

INTRODUCTION

India is a nation teeming with a billion sparks, and our collective endeavor should be to
kindle and sustain that vibrant spirit. Unfortunately, the persistent challenges of
unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, have been dampening that spark for
decades. This critical issue poses a continual challenge to India's economic landscape. As one
of the world's most populous nations, endowed with a diverse workforce, fluctuations in the
unemployment rate carry profound implications for the country's overall growth and
development.

The youth unemployment rate pertains to individuals in the workforce aged 15 to 24 years
who are without a job but actively seeking employment. In 2019, India's overall
unemployment rate was 5.27 percent. During the same period, the youth unemployment rate
for individuals aged 15 to 24 stood at 22.74 percent. Regrettably, in 2021, India experienced
a surge in the youth unemployment rate, reaching 28.26 percent—an increase from 24.90
percent during the peak of the pandemic in 2020. This disparity between the general
unemployment rate and the youth unemployment rate underscores the disproportionate
impact on individuals from underprivileged backgrounds.

A fundamental reason contributing to this issue is the substantial number of youth graduating
from schools and colleges annually, coupled with the continuous introduction of new career
options and job roles across various industries. Unfortunately, the youth often lack awareness
and the essential skills demanded by these evolving industries. This results in a considerable
gap between the skills possessed by the youth and the qualifications sought by the new-age
industries, creating a significant deficit in skill development and employment opportunities.

Amidst the intricacies of this challenge, NGO Joining Hands stands out as a beacon of hope.
This dedicated organization addresses the crux of the problem by directing its efforts toward
skill enhancement, employment programs, and higher education scholarships. Joining Hands
not only envisions change but actively empowers the youth, adeptly turning challenges into
opportunities on the path to a more promising and employable future. Their motivation and
commitment to enhancing the employability of urban underprivileged youth through computer
training, soft skills development, and English proficiency, facilitating their entry into various
sectors, have significantly transformed the lives of many. Since its inception, the employment

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program has indirectly benefited almost 11 thousand individuals, boasting a commendable
53% female participation. Joining Hands remains a steadfast bridge from classrooms to
careers, guiding young minds towards a brighter tomorrow.

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 JOINING HANDS

ABOUT THE NGO

In the bustling heart of Delhi, where aspirations collide with the stark realities of life, echoes
a unique ambition—to narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots. This aspiration
finds expression through Joining Hands, an NGO whose mission is as exceptional as its
name. Founded in 2006 to provide opportunities to disadvantaged youth, Joining Hands
operates as a registered public charitable trust. It offers a platform for underprivileged youth
to cultivate essential skills, enabling them to attain employability and financial self-reliance.

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Vision: To socially and economically empower the youth who act as agents of change in creating a more equi

Mission: Skill development and enhancing employability by providing education, training and developing skills

The NGO started with empowering and training the youth but over the years it has expanded
the programs to empower specialized sector-based training and opportunities for higher
education, especially for pursuing professional education.

Contact Us: Income Tax Registration

Document (12A)
Head Office: Training Office:

80G Exemption
A-38, 1st floor, Block Document
A, Amar Colony Lajpat Nagar CH -4/A, 3rd floor Meethapur Chowk, Badarpur
New Delhi, 110024 New Delhi, 110044
PAN Card Copy CSR
+91 11 46562485 +91 11 26662587 Compliant!
FCRA Certificate

Legal registration as trust

Fund utilisation certificate

Fund utilisation report

Annual Audited report

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 JOINING HANDS

The Programmes

Higher Education Scholarship Program

Hospitality Skill development Program
Enhancing Employability

Enhancing Employability:
Enhancing Employability Programme was conceptualized by Joining Hands, to enhance the
skills of the less privileged youth and to make them employable in the organized sector.

Higher Education Scholarship Programme:

During the outreach for the Skill Enhancement program aimed at the youth, Joining Hands
encountered the hurdles confronted by exceptionally talented but economically disadvantaged
students aspiring to pursue higher education.
In response, Joining Hands broadened its impact by launching the Higher Education
Scholarship Programme in collaboration with Cadence Design Systems IPL. This initiative
supports the higher education pursuits of underprivileged students by covering their fees and
other associated costs for professional courses such as engineering, medicine, hotel
management, and more.
Hospitality Skill Development Programme:

 Launched in 2016 to train and equip urban underprivileged girls with the necessary
skills to get employment in the steadily growing hospitality sector.
 74 girls have been trained so far.
 90% continuing with their employment in reputed places like Crown Plaza(Okhla),
Svelte Hotel, Aloft Hotel, Rockland Hotel, Atrium, etc.
 Presently 25 women are undergoing training under this programme.

Others:
We organize various events and workshops for school-going children and youth to foster
sensitivity and create social consciousness amongst them.
 INCEPTUM: As an organization whose vision revolves around the welfare of the
youth, Joining Hands has been successfully running INCEPTUM, A platform targeted
towards “BUDDING YOUTH, i.e. school children, aiming at sensitizing them on
challenges faced in environmental space.
 Theatre: Joining Hands collaborates with renowned theatre groups to spread
awareness about socially relevant issues in schools and educational institutions.

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 JOINING HANDS

 Workshops & Training: We engage in conducting capacity-building workshops and

training for various stakeholders in society on various social issues such as Sexual
Harassment of Women at the workplace (SHAWP), Protection of Children from
Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) and the Gender Sensitization, NGO Accounting &
Reporting, Aligning CSR & NGOs strategy, Relation between People Management &
Project Cycle, NGO legal Framework & Requirements.

Placement Partners:

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Idea of the Project

Online Mode (Day one to day four)

Our interaction with the NGO team started in online mode. We were briefed about the
functioning of the NGO. What they are, what they do, their skill enhancement program,
Cadence scholarship, etc. Post the presentation, each of us was assigned two beneficiaries of
the NGO programs. We had to contact them and prepare a report on their success stories.

Online Meet:

Excerpts from the success stories of the Cadence Scholarship beneficiaries:

Prajkta, B Com (Savitri Bhai Phule University), Pune

“Joining hands has helped me a lot. The scholarship helps students who are
financially unstable to move ahead in their lives and gives them a motive. Aparna Ma'am
from Joining Hands was very supportive. She was the one who at times reminded me to
collect my scholarship installments. Ma'am helped me a lot.”

Anusha MR, B Tech in Csc (Dyananda College of Engineering), Bengaluru

“Joining Hands is a great opportunity and I am lucky to get the scholarship from
Joining Hands. The teachers and mentors here are very good and support me emotionally,
mentally, and financially. Aparna ma'am helped me a lot with my admission and was always
available.”

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 JOINING HANDS

Offline Mode

The project aimed to enhance the on-the-ground presence of NGO Joining Hands, creating
awareness among students about the employment program and enrolling them in the 3-month
training program with a job guarantee. Joining Hands conducts a comprehensive three-month
training initiative catering to students from 10th grade to post-graduate level, offering
placement assistance upon program completion.
Program Details:

The learnings:
 English – Spoken and Written
 Basic Computer
 Personality Development
 Skills for job interview

Admission Details:
 Duration – 3 Months
 Age – 18 to 25 years
 Education – 10th to postgraduates
 Fee – Rs. 300 (per month) + Rs. 100 (Registration fee one-time)

Day-to-Day workings:
Joining Hands places a strong emphasis on skill enhancement and employment as its central
objectives. Consequently, our daily tasks centered around identifying potential candidates,
particularly those who had discontinued their studies after the 10th grade or were engaged in
distance learning while actively seeking employment. Our routine commenced at 10 AM
upon our arrival at the training center. Aparna Mam and Basanti Mam provided daily
briefings regarding the day's tasks and designated areas to be visited. The team, consisting of
four members, was accompanied by a representative from the NGO during our door-to-door
visits in the community. Our work concluded around 1:30 PM, following which we returned
from the field.

Day 1: Canopy
On the first day, we choose to visit a bustling chowk in close proximity, aiming to garner
maximum attention. The presence of a senior secondary school nearby provided an additional
advantage, as it increased the likelihood of encountering our target group of candidates for
the Enhancing Employability program in those areas.
During our pitch, we introduced ourselves as representatives from joining hands, a local NGO
actively engaged in skill development and employment programs since 2006. Upon ensuring
that our audience knew someone seeking employment and meeting the program's criteria, we
provided details about the program, including the curriculum, admission process, and the
companies set to offer jobs three months later. Addressing any concerns regarding program
validity, remuneration, or other queries was a crucial part of our interaction. We promptly
clarified these concerns with justified explanations, offering insights into past results and
success stories of students who have benefitted from the same program.
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 JOINING HANDS

A glimpse of the Canopy Visit:

Day 2, 3 & 4: Door-to-Door visit

Following our initial day at the canopy and engaging with people, our efforts progressed to
the next level, commencing home visits from the subsequent day onward. The pitch remained
largely consistent with what we presented on the first day. We diligently knocked on every
door, inquiring if there were individuals who had completed their 10th grade and were
currently idle, seeking job opportunities. Subsequently, we informed them about our
program. It required strong persuasion to instill confidence in them that this was a legitimate
initiative from a credible NGO, ensuring that their hopes were genuine. Ultimately, we
handed them our pamphlet, gathered their names and contact details, preparing to reach out
for further details regarding the training program.

Glimpses from door-to-door visits:

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 JOINING HANDS

Key Takeaways:

In the vast ocean of talent that is India's youth, many a young fish struggles to stay afloat,
weighed down by the anchor of inadequate skills. Joining Hands, however, becomes the
lifebuoy, rescuing them from the depths of unemployment and propelling them towards the
shores of successful careers.

 Ground-Level Realities: The experience provided deep insights into the ground-level
realities of extreme poverty and financial backwardness in the interiors of cities. This
deepened your understanding of the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable
communities.
 Strategic Communication: We successfully navigated strategic challenges by
incorporating visual aids, such as pictures, and distributing visiting cards and
pamphlets during our visits. This approach proved instrumental in effectively
communicating the organization's mission and goals to our audience.

 Challenges in Convincing: Convincing families of the legitimacy of our program and

overcoming their initial skepticism honed our communication skills and empathy
while emphasizing the importance of building trust with underserved communities.
People from those areas have been cheated with fake promises before and so we put
extra efforts into making them understand that this program was aimed at their
betterment.

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 JOINING HANDS

 Understanding Impact beyond Statistics: Observing families of 8-10 people

residing in a single room underscored the harsh living conditions, underscoring the
pressing need for interventions to uplift these communities. Witnessing the faces
behind the statistics—families grappling to survive, children deprived of education—
instilled a tangible appreciation for the potential impact of our work on individual
lives and communities.
 The Power of Hope and Opportunity: Disheartening encounters brought to light
that a lack of awareness and financial constraints had deprived numerous individuals
of educational opportunities, impeding their personal and professional growth.
Witnessing a spark of hope ignite in families upon being presented with opportunities
for upskilling and employment underscored the transformative power of empowering
individuals and communities.
 Need for Outreach: Recognized the importance of outreach programs to bridge the
gap between NGOs and marginalized communities, especially those in dire need of
skill development and employment opportunities.
 Collecting Contact Details: Gathering names and contact details during home visits
facilitated future communication, ensuring that interested individuals could be further
engaged in the Joining Hands training program.
 Emotional Impact: Developed a heightened sense of empathy and a deeper
understanding of the emotional impact of poverty on individuals and families,
motivating a commitment to contribute positively to their lives. It instilled a sense of
social responsibility, motivating me to contribute to positive change in society.
 Education and Poverty Linkage: The correlation between lack of education and
persistent poverty became evident, reinforcing the crucial role of education and skill
development in breaking the cycle of poverty.

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Conclusion

Collaborating with NGO Joining Hands has unfolded as a transformative journey that
transcends the boundaries of mere professional engagement. Immersed in the fabric of
community service, this experience has woven together strands of learning, understanding,
and personal growth. The home visits, where the stark realities of extreme poverty unfolded
before my eyes, fueled a profound commitment to effect meaningful change. Recognizing the
depth of financial deprivation and the absence of educational opportunities in marginalized
communities became a poignant realization, sparking a heightened dedication to the cause.

Throughout this enriching experience, the guidance and assistance from the dedicated
faculties involved with Joining Hands played a pivotal role. Their expertise, mentorship, and
unwavering support provided a compass, guiding me through the complexities of community
engagement. The faculty's insights and encouragement fostered an environment of continuous
learning, pushing boundaries, and encouraging innovation in approaching social challenges.

In summary, my experience with joining hands serves as evidence of the transformative

power inherent in grassroots initiatives. Beyond imparting practical skills, it has sparked a
lifelong dedication to making a meaningful contribution to societal well-being. Reflecting on
this journey, I carry a deep sense of responsibility and a reinforced commitment to
advocating for positive change. Joining Hands, more than just an NGO, has acted as a
catalyst for both personal and collective growth, leaving an enduring imprint on my
professional and humanitarian perspective.

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 Session Topic Duration Learning Objectives
1. Introduction to the 1 hour - Understand the basics
retail sector of the retail industry
- Overview of job
opportunities in the
retail sector
- Importance of
customer service and
retail skills
- Q&A sessions for
participant queries
2. Retail Operations and 2 hours - Store layout and
Management design
- Inventory
management and
control
- Cash handling and
point-of-sales system
- Importance of
teamwork and
collaboration
3. Customer Service Skills 3 hours - Effective
Communication with
customers
- Handling customer
complaints and
resolving issues
- Building positive
customer relationships
- Role-playing exercises
for practical
applications
4. Sales Techniques and 2 hours - Understanding
Product Knowledge product features and
benefits
- Upselling and Cross-
selling strategies
- Closing a sale and
overcoming objections
- Interactive product
demonstration and role-
playing
5. Retail Technology 2 hours - Introduction to E-
trends Commerce and Online
retailing
- Importance of digital
literacy in the retail
sector
- Mobile payment
systems and emerging
technologies
- Discussion on
adapting to
technological changes
6. Job readiness and 2 hours - Resume writing and
interview skills cover letter tips
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 - Interview preparation
and common interview
questions
- Dressing for success
and workplace etiquette
- Mock interviews with
feedback

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