Omega Forum For Social Impact (OFSI)

"With My Own Earnings, I’m Educating My Children" – Sarswati In the dry, rocky terrain of Bidar, where opportunities are scarce, OFSI in collaboration with The Nudge Foundation is creating new possibilities for women like Sarswati. Struggling to make ends meet through daily wage work, she dreamed of a better future for her children but had no way to break free from the cycle of poverty.?? With a grant to buy goats and training in shed construction, livestock rearing, and sustainable income generation, she built something of her own. What started with one pregnant goat turned into ?37,000 from selling four goats—enough to pay off debts, provide nutritious meals, and most importantly, educate her children. ?? Today, she owns four more goats and continues to build her livelihood, proving that even in the harshest landscapes, transformation is possible. Through access to resources and skills, we are empowering women to carve out sustainable futures—one step at a time. Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil | The/Nudge Institute #WomenLeadChange #BreakingBarriers #SustainableLivelihoods #TheNudge #OFSI #Bidar

?? Let’s Talk Periods – No More Secrets! At OFSI, we believe that open conversations about menstruation are key to breaking the cycle of shame and misinformation. Through our health and empowerment programmes, we work with communities to normalize period talk, challenge stigma, and create safe spaces where women and girls feel supported and informed. Your voice matters! Let’s challenge the stigma and create a world where periods are just another part of life. Vote now and drop your answer in the comments – let’s get real about periods!? #NoMoreTaboos #PeriodPower #BreakTheSilence #OFSI #Empowerment ?

When Women Move, They Move the World For many women, mobility has never been a given—it has been a battle. At OFSI, we believe access changes everything. We've seen women step onto buses for the first time, journey beyond their villages, navigate cities they once thought were out of reach, and meet others who share their struggles and dreams. From our first gathering in Tharangambadi, where 500 women reclaimed joy and leisure, to our Radical Immersion Leadership Camp, where connection turned into collective strength, every journey has been one of transformation. Because when women break barriers, they don’t just move forward—they carry entire communities with them. They build bridges of support, strength, and sisterhood. This Women’s Day, we honour every woman who has dared to step into the unknown and discovered not just the world—but herself. Because, She Matters! Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil #SheMatters #WomensDay #BreakingBarriers #Sisterhood #OFSI

EXPOSURE VISIT: LEARNING, CONNECTING & GROWING Omega Forum for Social Impact(OFSI) brings together partners to foster peer learning and collaboration, creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and scale their businesses. For many women entrepreneurs from Hope Foundation and Arunodhaya, this was their first exposure visit—an opportunity to see a thriving women-led business in action. Hosted at VAPS in Madurai, they engaged with GreenFem, a collective of women entrepreneurs successfully running their businesses. Firsthand Learning: Seeing GreenFem’s operations up close, the women explored how the collective was structured, the services they provided, and the market strategies they had in place. Accessing Opportunities: The visit provided insights into how GreenFem availed government schemes, financial linkages, and business support services—valuable knowledge that could help them strengthen their own ventures. Branding & Market Expansion: The women learned practical approaches to branding, marketing, and scaling their businesses, gaining the confidence to navigate these areas effectively. Exploring New Business Possibilities: Through these discussions, the women became curious about new market opportunities and discovered a growing demand for dry fish in Madurai. Inspired by their learnings, they are now exploring ways to start a business in this space. At OFSI, true to its name, we create and enable meaningful connections between our partner organizations. Peer learning is a powerful tool, and this exposure visit was just the beginning of new opportunities and collaborations! Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil | HOPE foundation | Arunodhaya Centre | VAPS INDIA #WomenEntrepreneurs #MarketLinkages #OFSI #EmpowerHer #GreenFem #PeerLearning #Madurai

From Limited Options to Limitless Futures For many young women in peri-urban Hyderabad, career dreams are cut short by a lack of exposure, confidence, and skills. Fear of interviews, limited English proficiency, and societal expectations keep them confined to low-skill jobs.? Umeed’s FirstLeap program, in collaboration with OFSI, is breaking this cycle. By building workplace skills, digital literacy, and career readiness, we’re giving young women the tools to aim higher—and succeed.? “It was a really nice experience. So far, we’ve only experienced college life, so visiting a corporate office was something completely new for us. We got to learn how their projects work and how we can secure a job or placement in their company, which is very useful as we prepare to graduate and step into the corporate world soon next year.”? – Poojitha, BCom 3rd Year, FirstLeaper, 2024? This isn’t just about jobs—it’s about rewriting futures. Sunanda Rangarajan | Sana Fathima | Hema P | Mohammed Fazil | UMEED #FirstLeap #NoLimits #BreakingBarriers #OFSIxUmeed

Beyond the Clock: Fueling Success Through Teamwork? At OFSI, we are committed to shaping tomorrow’s leaders by equipping them with real-world skills. More than just a skill-building session, this program fostered connections, confidence, and a sharper focus—key ingredients for a successful career. As part of our Employee Engagement Program, in collaboration with Hope Foundation, we conducted an engaging session on Teamwork and Time Management on 8th February 2025 in Tiruchirappalli. Led by our expert team—Mr. Amanulla, Mrs. Stella Roseline, and Mr. Karthick Ganesan—along with dedicated Omega employees who volunteered, the session was packed with interactive activities that helped students:? ? Prioritise tasks and overcome procrastination? ? Communicate effectively and resolve conflicts? ? Collaborate seamlessly to achieve common goals? Sunanda Rangarajan | Sana Fathima | Hema P | Mohammed Fazil | HOPE foundation #Teamwork #TimeManagement #CareerSuccess #OFSI #volunteering #EmployeeEngagement

Preventive mental healthcare is often ignored, especially in rural and tribal communities, where struggles remain hidden under stigma and silence, lack of access and awareness. OFSI, in collaboration with Aram Porul, is addressing this in the tribal pockets of Tamil Nadu by training teachers, nurses, wardens, and youth volunteers in basic counselling, mental health identification, and stress management. These Mental Wellness Champions are raising awareness and connecting individuals to support systems, tackling substance abuse, and addressing violence and trauma. With over 5,000 individuals already engaged, perceptions are shifting, and access to care is expanding. Through a data-driven, community-led approach, we are building a network of trained champions who ensure mental well-being is no longer an afterthought but a collective responsibility. Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil #OFSI #PreventiveMentalHealth #BreakingTheStigma #CommunityCare #AramPorul #MentalHealthAwareness

Investing in Youth: Building Skills for a Stronger Future On January 3, 2025, OFSI and Hope Foundation organized a mock interview session for General Duty Assistant (GDA) students at OCH Healthcare Skill Training Center, Trichy where Fourteen students participated. The session gave students hands-on experience in preparing for job placements and career development, ensuring that their training goes beyond skills to support their future employment. OFSI is committed to investing in youth, bridging the gap in access to skill-building and services to drive economic empowerment. Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil | HOPE foundation #OFSI #MockInterview #CareerDevelopment #GDA #SkillsTraining #YouthEmpowerment

From survival to self-sufficiency! ? 150 women in Bidar have transformed their lives through the Ultra Poor Program. ? With the support of OFSI and The Nudge, they’ve built sustainable businesses, secured financial independence, and gained the confidence to shape their futures. ? Today, 100% of them hold bank accounts, household savings have risen to ?5,000 annually from zero, and access to government schemes has strengthened their resilience. More than economic progress, they have gained confidence, agency, and a voice in their homes and communities. ? With opportunity and determination, they are proving that change is possible—and lasting. Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil | The/Nudge Institute ? #TheNudge #OFSI #FinancialIndependence #WomenEmpowerment #BreakingBarriers #WomenRise

Breaking the Chains of Gender Norms Lorry Lolakku (Mobile Theatre for Social Transformation), a women's empowerment initiative collaborated by OFSI and Katradi is one of our signature programs, brought powerful stories of resistance and resilience to communities in Ramanathapuram. Through Kattaikkuttu and Bharatanatyam, these performances challenged deep-rooted gender norms, sparking critical conversations on equality, alcohol abuse, and societal expectations. The gripping "Maanam Oru Baaram" (Reputation is a Burden) scene exposed the weight of reputation on women’s lives, leaving a lasting impact. More than just theatre, this was a call to action—proving that change begins when voices rise against injustice. Sunanda Rangarajan | Hema P | Sana Fathima | Mohammed Fazil | Katradi (NGO) | VAPS #SheMatters #LorryLolakku #GenderJustice #Kattaikkuttu #Bharatanatyam #OFSI #Katradi