Business Name: Daksha Empower Ability Foundation
Founder’s Name: Rakesh Kumar Kaushik
Location: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Establishment (Year): 2017
Category and Sub-Category: Non-profit company, Handicraft products
Company Detail:
Persons With Disability (PWDs) in India face many challenges when looking to develop employable skills and in gaining meaningful employment. According to census 2011, there are 26.8 Million PWDs in India, out of which 13.4 Million PWDs are in the employable age groupI 15 -59 years and most of them are non-workers or are marginal workers. The number is higher in rural areas due to poverty and poor access to health services.
Being one of its kind Social Enterprise model, “Daksha” emerged as a source of providing sustainable vocational training as well as employment to PWDs. It became a platform for the PWDs to showcase their talent to the community which was earlier being suppressed due to the social stigma attached to disability. Daksha is a non-profit company u/s 8 of the
Companies Act 2013, established in 2017, has been enriching the lives of PWDs & 100% of our revenues re-invested to create more empowering opportunities and generate employment for more PWDs. The various unique articles in different trades viz. stationery, wooden, decorative etc. are handcrafted by PWDs that encompasses creativity and meaningful use. Currently, “Daksha” has staff strength of 12 including PWDs as well as non-disabled ones.
Activities under “Daksha”:
• Training Centre cum Shelter Workshop for following units -
o Production of Goat Manure fertilizer
o Nursery Development and Gardening Training
o Carpentry (Wooden work)
o Stitching
• Placement support
• Counselling services to PWDs and their family members.
• Support in connecting them with Social Security Schemes to avail social entitlement made available by the State & Central Government and other welfare organizations for their betterment.
Unique Selling Proposition / Competitive Advantage:
Daksha, a non-profit company u/s 8 of the Companies Act 2013, has been enriching the lives of people with intellectual & physical disabilities. We are proud to mention that 100% of Daksha’s revenues are re-invested to create more empowering opportunities and generate employment for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and presently above 80% of Daksha staff consists PWDs.
𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲
The impact is measured through the number PWDs benefitted & quality change observed in their lives. Since inception, Daksha has generated employment opportunities by skilling up PWDs, its own 80% staff consists PWDs. District Administration & Government Officials are well acquainted with our working. • The organization focused on Paradigm Shift approach i.e. from most prevalent model for PWDs’ livelihood- ABC- (Agarbatti making, Book Binding, Candle making) to FGH (Front-Office Management, Gardening and House-keeping) that made PWDs able to earn around Rs. 7000-8000/- per month and become contributing members. • 77 PWDs trained in job-oriented skills viz. House-keeping, Front-office management and Gardening in last 3 years. • Our Master Trainer-Mr. Sanwara (PWD), was selected as District Icon during the Elections-2018 to motivate other PWDs about importance of their valuable votes. • “Daksha” Supported in Awareness building and training of 262 Anganwadi workers/ASHA and 193 headmaster/ teachers of schools. • During COVID-19, assisted RMKM in providing support to approx. 11208 members of 2320 families through Ration & Masks distribution, counselling to PWDs & their Families (year-2020).