Creating Opportunities.
Association for Welfare, Social Action and Research India works with children, women, youth, and communities across education, health, livelihoods, research, and protection — building a more equitable society since 2001.
We believe every individual deserves an opportunity
The name AWSAR means "opportunity" in Hindi. Founded by social entrepreneurs and students from the University of Delhi, AWSAR was built on the belief that access to opportunity is the foundation of all social and economic transformation.
For over two decades, AWSAR has partnered with communities, governments, corporate foundations, and international organisations to deliver evidence-based, sustainable development programmes.
Read Our Full Story →To create an inclusive and equitable society founded on democratic values, sustainable livelihoods, and an improved quality of life for all.
To foster opportunities for holistic development by strengthening capacities, generating knowledge, and delivering diversified professional services that empower communities and institutions working with marginalised populations.
Eight areas of programme work
AWSAR in the field
Programme films and field documentaries from AWSAR's community work.
Trusted by governments, foundations & civil society
Who we are
AWSAR India — the Association for Welfare, Social Action and Research India — is a voluntary organisation, registered as a society in Delhi, that works with children, women, youth and communities. The word awsar (अवसर) means “opportunity” in Hindi, and that one idea runs through everything the organisation does.
AWSAR starts from a simple observation: talent is found everywhere, but opportunity is not. A child with promise can be held back by nothing more than a lack of access — to a school, to a health check, to protection, or to someone who believes in them. AWSAR exists to close that gap.
Today its work is organised around eight areas: research and analysis; child protection and safety; education and early childhood development; health and mental well-being; women’s empowerment and livelihoods; disaster relief and rehabilitation; sustainable rural development and model villages; and technical assistance and capacity building. AWSAR works with communities, government agencies, corporate foundations, academic institutions and civil-society partners, and it is a CHILDLINE 1098 operator.
How AWSAR began
AWSAR India began in 2001, when a group of social entrepreneurs and students from the University of Delhi came together to build an organisation around one idea. Among its co-founders was Tara Chand.
Tara came from a poverty-ridden background — but carried an unshakeable belief that opportunity, a conducive environment, and mentoring could change the fortune of anyone. He witnessed how children with talent were left behind simply for lack of access — to education, to support, to someone who believed in them.
That belief drove Tara and his co-founders to build an organisation. They named it AWSAR — the Hindi word for “opportunity” — because if you give someone an awsar, you give them everything.
“Access to opportunity is the game changer for children struggling in life. That is why we named this organisation AWSAR.”
Mauka, Mahaul & Margdarshan
Three Hindi words sum up how AWSAR believes a life changes. Each matters on its own, but none works well without the other two.
Mauka
A real chance to learn, to earn, to stay healthy and to be protected. Talent is found everywhere; chances are not. AWSAR works to open doors that would otherwise stay shut: a place in a class, a health check, a skill that leads to an income, a call that reaches help.
Mahaul
A chance only helps when the surroundings let a person use it. A child needs a safe, encouraging atmosphere at home, at school and in the community. AWSAR works with families, schools, community members and local systems so that the environment around a person supports their growth instead of holding it back.
Margdarshan
Someone who shows the way. A chance and a supportive setting still need a person who believes in you and helps with the next step. AWSAR’s teachers, field workers and mentors walk alongside children, women and young people, encouraging them, answering their questions and helping them find direction.
Mauka opens the door. Mahaul makes it safe to walk through. Margdarshan shows where to go next. It is the belief AWSAR’s founders began with, and the thread that ties its programmes together.
Welfare · Social Action · Research
Welfare
Practical support through education, healthcare, child protection, and livelihoods — improving wellbeing for children, women, and communities in concrete, lasting ways.
Social Action
Community organising, rights education, and advocacy — helping people understand and claim their entitlements and building environments where communities lead change.
Research
Rigorous field studies, baseline surveys, and evidence synthesis — ensuring every intervention is data-driven and every decision is grounded in credible information.
What we strive for
To create an inclusive and equitable society founded on democratic values, sustainable livelihoods, and an improved quality of life for all.
What we do
To foster opportunities for holistic development by strengthening capacities, generating knowledge, and delivering diversified professional services that empower communities and institutions working with marginalised populations.
Our Values
These are not aspirations or slogans — they are the standards we hold ourselves to every day, in the field and in the office.
Dignity & Inclusion
Every person we serve — regardless of caste, gender, religion, or background — deserves to be treated with full dignity. We design for inclusion and refuse to work in ways that marginalise further.
Evidence Over Assumption
We measure what we do, share what we find, and change course when the evidence says we should. Good intentions have to be matched by honest results.
Community Ownership
We build capacity, not dependency. Our aim is always to make ourselves unnecessary, leaving behind people and systems that can sustain progress independently.
Transparency
Our finances, decisions and outcomes are open to scrutiny. Trust is built through consistency, not promises.
Compassion in Practice
We work with some of the most vulnerable people in India. Compassion is not a sentiment here — it shapes how we listen, how we design programmes, and how we measure success. Numbers matter; so do names.
Collaboration Over Competition
Development challenges are too large for any single organisation. We actively partner with government, CSR, academia, and civil society — believing that shared goals and combined strengths multiply impact for the communities we serve.
Day-to-day programmes are managed by a dedicated team, under the guidance of the Executive Committee and the Governing Board.
Governing Board
Strategic direction and senior accountability
Executive Committee
Operational oversight and financial accountability
Programme Team
Trained development practitioners on the ground
The Executive Committee and Advisory Board are profiled alongside the rest of the team.
Meet the team →Social entrepreneurs and University of Delhi students establish AWSAR. First community education work begins in East Delhi.
Registered under the Societies Registration Act, Delhi. Receives support under CAPART's Starter Package to Young Professionals Scheme, Ministry of Rural Development.
AWSAR expands into child protection, CHILDLINE services (1098), women's empowerment, health, livelihoods, and community development. Partnerships grow with DLF Foundation, Naandi Foundation, ERM India, and government ministries.
Major field assignments — Manesar Survey, HUNGaMA nutrition study, CHILDLINE situational analysis across NCR cities, and the Jhajjar Social Impact Assessment — establish AWSAR's research credentials.
AWSAR delivers food distribution, health support, and COVID-19 awareness in slums and rural communities. Model Village initiative launches in Dankaur, Gautam Budh Nagar, UP.
Tara Chand
Tara Chand is a co-founder of AWSAR India and serves as its Secretary. How AWSAR began, why it carries the name it does, and the thinking behind Mauka, Mahaul and Margdarshan are told on the Our Story page.
Read the story of AWSAR →
Raj Shree — Evidence, empathy, and 20+ years of impact
For over 20 years, Raj Shree has worked at the intersection of research and real lives — translating data into decisions that shape policy, strengthen programmes, and improve outcomes for women, children, and communities across India.
As Vice President of AWSAR-India, she drives the organisation’s agenda on child rights, youth development, mental health, women’s empowerment, education, public health, and social development. An M.Phil in Public Health from JNU and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Delhi anchor her expertise.
Leadership Team
Co-founders and programme leaders who guide AWSAR's mission
Strategic Advisors
Experienced professionals guiding AWSAR's governance and strategic direction
Full profiles being migrated here
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What We Do
AWSAR works across eight interconnected sectors to address the challenges faced by vulnerable communities — building human capabilities, improving access to services, and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Research & Analysis
Socio-economic surveys, needs assessments, baseline studies, social impact assessments, M&E, and data analysis for development decisions.
Child Protection & Safety
Protecting children from abuse, neglect, trafficking, and child labour through helpline services, rescue, rehabilitation, and community systems.
Education & Early Childhood
Early childhood education centres, brick-kiln education, school infrastructure improvement, and foundational literacy and numeracy support.
Health & Mental Well-being
Preventive healthcare, maternal and child health, mental health and psychosocial support, and telemedicine for rural communities.
Women's Empowerment
Vocational training, livelihood skills, sanitary pad production, financial inclusion, self-help groups, and women's leadership programmes.
Disaster Relief
Emergency food, shelter, relief kits, COVID-19 ration distribution, and community health and awareness in crisis situations.
Model Villages
Integrated rural development — education, healthcare, livelihoods, agriculture, digital inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Technical Assistance
Organisational development, capacity building, programme design, training modules, and advisory services for NGOs and government bodies.
Ready to Create Change?
Whether you want to fund a programme, volunteer your skills, or collaborate on research — we welcome you.
Child Protection & Safety
Every child deserves a safe, nurturing, protective environment. AWSAR works to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking, child labour, and child marriage.
Child in immediate danger?
Call the official 24-hour helplines immediately — do not wait.
International Day of the Girl Child
Protecting Childhood, Securing Futures
AWSAR operates Child Helpline 1098 services and provides rescue, counselling, rehabilitation, educational support, healthcare assistance, shelter referrals, and family reintegration services.
We work closely with communities, schools, child welfare authorities, and government agencies to strengthen child protection systems and promote child rights.
Key Interventions
Support our work with vulnerable children
Every contribution, partnership and volunteer hour creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Education & Early Childhood Development
Education is the most powerful tool for social transformation. AWSAR improves access to quality education for children from disadvantaged communities.
Early Childhood Education
AWSAR operates Early Childhood Education and Care Centres providing school readiness, foundational literacy, nutrition support, and child-friendly learning environments.
Brick Kiln Education
Children of migrant workers at brick kilns receive basic education, health support, nutrition, recreation, and school enrolment support through AWSAR's on-site centres.
School Infrastructure & Quality
AWSAR works with government schools on infrastructure, digital classrooms, teacher training, School Management Committees, and foundational learning.
Education Impact
Help us keep children in school
Every contribution, partnership and volunteer hour creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Health & Mental Well-being
AWSAR promotes preventive healthcare and community well-being through awareness programmes, health camps, mental health support, and telemedicine services.
Reproductive & Child Health
Awareness on maternal health, child nutrition, hygiene, sanitation, adolescent health, and preventive healthcare for communities.
Mental Health & Psychosocial Support
Counselling, stress management, life-skills education, psychosocial support, and mental health awareness for youth, women, and communities.
Telemedicine & Rural Health
Specialist consultations, reduced travel costs, and timely medical advice for remote communities through technology-enabled healthcare delivery.
community members reached through health and awareness programmes
Partner with us to expand healthcare access
Every contribution and partnership creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Women's Empowerment & Livelihoods
AWSAR strengthens women's economic independence, social status, and leadership through skills training, livelihood support, and rights-based interventions.
Creating economic independence
AWSAR works with adolescent girls, women, and self-help groups to build vocational skills, financial literacy, and livelihood opportunities that provide lasting economic independence.
Support women's economic independence
Every contribution and partnership creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Disaster Relief & Rehabilitation
AWSAR provides rapid emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation during disasters and humanitarian crises across India.
When disaster strikes, AWSAR responds
AWSAR has supported communities affected by floods, fire disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic — providing emergency relief and rehabilitation support.
Services we provide
Help communities recover and rebuild
Every contribution and partnership creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Sustainable Rural Development & Model Villages
AWSAR's Model Village initiative creates sustainable, self-reliant villages inspired by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's vision — integrating all dimensions of community development.
The initiative integrates education, healthcare, livelihoods, agriculture, digital inclusion, infrastructure, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability — with the goal of improving quality of life and reducing distress migration.
Education
School access, ECD, digital classrooms
Healthcare
Primary health, telemedicine, nutrition
Agriculture
Sustainable farming, water management
Digital Inclusion
Connectivity, e-governance, literacy
Livelihoods
Skills, self-employment, micro-enterprise
Infrastructure
Sanitation, water, housing
Women's Empowerment
Leadership, SHGs, economic independence
Environment
Tree plantation, 20,000+ trees planted
Co-create thriving model villages
Every contribution and partnership creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Research & Analysis
AWSAR conducts rigorous field research to help governments, donors, corporates, and development organisations make informed decisions.
What we offer
Field research portfolio
Manesar Socio-Economic Household Survey
Comprehensive baseline across 10 villages covering livelihoods, education, health, and social conditions. Commissioned by DLF Foundation.
HUNGaMA Nutrition Survey
Field contribution to Naandi Foundation's national study on hunger and malnutrition across Uttar Pradesh — 1.6M+ national context.
CHILDLINE Situational Analysis — NCR
Three-city analysis of child protection service environments covering 3,000 respondents across children, police, and community stakeholders.
Jhajjar Social Impact Assessment
Census survey of four villages for ERM India, assessing socioeconomic conditions and social impact of planned industrial development.
Commission or collaborate on research
Every contribution and partnership creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Technical Assistance & Capacity Building
AWSAR provides technical assistance and capacity-building services to NGOs, CBOs, government agencies, corporate foundations, and development professionals.
What we offer
Collaborating institutions
AWSAR has collaborated with NIPCCD, IIPA, and sector bodies to strengthen capacities across the development sector.
Commission capacity-building programmes
Every contribution and partnership creates lasting impact in the communities we serve.
Our Impact
Beyond numbers, AWSAR's impact lies in empowered communities, confident children, skilled youth, stronger institutions, and sustainable development outcomes.
Where AWSAR has worked
Help Us Reach Further
Every partnership and contribution multiplies our impact across communities in Delhi and beyond.
Partner With AWSAR
AWSAR welcomes partnerships with corporates, foundations, government agencies, international donors, academics, and individuals committed to creating opportunities for vulnerable communities.
Our partners & supporters
Support our work
Every donation creates opportunities — for a child to stay in school, for a woman to gain economic independence, for a family to access healthcare.
Learning materials or child-support touchpoint
After-school learning for a small group
Full programme support in a community
Get in touch
Supporters & Partners
AWSAR has partnered with leading foundations, government ministries, academic institutions, and civil society organisations over 25+ years. We are grateful to all our current and previous partners and donors.
Current and previous partners, funders, and collaborators of AWSAR India. CAPART merged into NIRDPR in 2020.
Contact AWSAR India
Whether you want to partner, support our programmes, volunteer, or simply learn more — we would love to hear from you.
Child in immediate danger?
Do not wait. Call the official 24-hour emergency numbers immediately.
Find us
Registered Office, Delhi
Ashok Nagar Office
CHILDLINE Dankaur
Get in touch
Media & Press Centre
Latest news, field stories, photo gallery, videos, annual reports, and live social media feeds from AWSAR India.
News & Field Stories
Updates from AWSAR's programmes and field work.
Photo Gallery
From AWSAR India's field programmes and community work.
📸 All photographs require proper consent. No identifiable images of children may be published without written guardian consent.
AWSAR in the Field
Programme films and field documentaries from AWSAR India.
Annual Reports
Reports published by AWSAR India.
Programmes, Finances & Impact Summary
Available on request
Follow AWSAR Live
Our latest posts and videos — updated automatically whenever we post on social media.
Your work reaches people, not just reports
At AWSAR, every desk connects to a field, every dataset to a family. We work on the ground with communities — and we want people who care about both the evidence and the people behind it.
Give your time. Change a life.
Volunteering with AWSAR means showing up — for children at brick-kiln education centres, for women in livelihood programmes, for communities rebuilding after crisis. No prior NGO experience required; just willingness and reliability.
We match your skills and availability to the right programme. Whether you can give three hours a week or three months, there is a role for you.
Where you can contribute
Volunteer Application
Tell us about yourself and where you'd like to contribute. We'll respond within 3 working days.
Learn by doing — in the field, with real communities
AWSAR's internship programme is designed for students in social work, public health, research, communications, law, and development studies. You'll be embedded in live projects — contributing, not just observing.
How the process works
Current Internship Areas
Applications accepted on a rolling basis. We respond within 5 working days.
Assist with field surveys, data collection, analysis, and report writing for AWSAR's baseline and impact assessment studies. Quantitative skills preferred.
Support child protection case documentation, legal aid coordination, and community awareness campaigns. Hindi fluency essential.
Assist with health camp coordination, maternal health data collection, and nutrition awareness programmes in underserved urban communities.
Support women's livelihood and financial inclusion programmes — training facilitation, market linkages, and SHG documentation.
Create field stories, social media content, IEC materials, and programme reports. Canva, Adobe, or similar tools helpful.
Support programme monitoring, indicator tracking, data visualisation, and quarterly progress reporting across AWSAR's project portfolio.
Internship Application
Apply for an internship with AWSAR. We accept applications on a rolling basis and respond within 5 working days.
Current Openings
We hire for mission-fit and professional excellence. All positions are based in Delhi NCR unless noted. AWSAR is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all communities.
Positions Open Now
Lead quantitative and qualitative research — study design, fieldwork, analysis, and dissemination. Minimum 5 years in social or development research. SPSS/STATA/R preferred.
Oversee AWSAR's child protection programmes — CHILDLINE operations, community child protection systems, and survivor rehabilitation. Minimum 4 years in child rights or protection with team management experience.
Drive AWSAR's external communications, donor stewardship, grant writing, and digital presence. Write compelling field stories, manage CSR proposals. 3+ years in development communications.
On-ground coordination of women's livelihood and skills training programmes. Mobilise community women's groups, facilitate training sessions, maintain programme records. Field travel required.
Send a speculative application. We keep strong candidates on file and reach out when suitable positions open — often before they're advertised publicly.
Job Application
Apply for an open position or send a speculative application. We review all applications within 7 working days.
Make a Donation
Your gift helps AWSAR create opportunities for children, women and communities. Tell us who you are and what you would like to give.
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