About OORJA
SoCh strongly believes that when young women discover their Oorja, the invigorating energy within them, they become unstoppable. Oorja provides young women with the right tools of empowerment, life skills, critical knowledge and career guidance. An Oorja woman equipped with this energy is empowered to emancipate herself from socio-cultural constraints. Not only does she take charge of her future but also will continue to positively affect the lives of those around her. Thus, SoCh believes these women have the power to initiate a wave of change in the community.
- Phase 1- Receiving Knowledge – is conducted through camps for women in graduate and post-graduate colleges. So far, we have reached out to over 550 young women participants in undergraduate colleges in rural Telangana.
- Phase 2 – Imparting Knowledge – is conducted through a community outreach program, by the students who complete Module I and are known as Oorja Champions. We have reached out to more than 4000 adolescent girls with over 100 Oorja Champions.
The first phase of Oorja is an 8-day programme comprising of 12 core chapters that branch out into two broad themes of Understanding Self – mental, physical, menstrual and reproductive health, marriage, family and future planning, protection from violence and recognition of rights; Future Readiness – communication and work-related skill development like public speaking, problem solving, communication and leadership. The content is delivered through specially designed interactive activities to convey the message in the most effective way possible.
The second phase of Oorja is a community outreach program wherein Oorja participants from Phase I are trained to facilitate activity-based classes for adolescent girls in Zilla Parishad and Government High Schools. The adolescent girls in schools are provided information on themes such as health, safety, rights and future planning. Through Phase II is that the Oorja Champions are on a journey that empowers self and the larger community simultaneously.