Uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet”
– Bhagavad Gita 6.5
(“Let a person lift themselves by their own self; let them not degrade themselves. The self alone is the friend of the self, and the self alone is the enemy.”)
Change begins within.
At RSA, we believe that transformation is not imposed—it is unlocked. It starts the moment a young girl, who once sat quietly at the back of a classroom, is given the support to discover her own voice.
She didn’t speak much in class. Not because she lacked ideas, but because no one had ever encouraged her to speak up.
A few months later, she was confidently managing a retail counter, handling billing queries, arranging shelves, and helping a hesitant customer choose the right product. The same girl who once avoided eye contact now trains others in her team. What changed?
The key was practice-based learning—through hands-on practice and the supportive environment it offered, her confidence grew, and she began to speak up with ease.
At RSA, our vision for youth training goes beyond chalkboards and theory. In partnership with Vihaan and the PI Foundation, we’ve brought skill development right into real-world simulations—giving young learners, especially girls from vulnerable communities, a chance to learn through doing.
Whether it’s assembling electrical panels, simulating a hospital reception desk, or managing inventory in a mock warehouse—our learners experience the job before they even apply for it. This project-based model allows them to gain technical know-how and soft skills like communication, time management, and teamwork in a risk-free and encouraging environment.
In just one year, over 500 students were trained across job roles like BFSI, ITeS, Electrical, Logistics, and Excel. More than 70% have found work, many as the first employed members of their families. They now earn, contribute, and carry themselves with pride.
But our work doesn’t end at placement. We follow up for a year, support them through WhatsApp communities, and create spaces for ex-students to refer their friends and siblings—fueling a ripple effect of aspiration.
What we’re witnessing is more than just economic progress. It’s the quiet rise of self-belief. It’s seeing a girl once unsure of her voice now mentoring others. It’s watching communities shift—from asking “Can she?” to saying “She did.”
Because when learning is rooted in relevance and support, change isn’t temporary—it’s transformative.
By – Neha Babbar
