Our history

In the early nineties, a group of young women came out from the four walls of the domestic chores and wanted to do something for other needy and neglected women of the society. No doubt it was very difficult at that time under grim illiteracy and the resultant social superstitions and religious dogmas. The resistance came from the male dominated society, but the women were desperate. Neither any obstacle nor any odd could dissuade the spirit of a group of sincere and dedicated women who got united and took a solemn vow to enlighten and empower other poor women and marginalized segment of the society. Their firm resolution was translated into action with the establishment of WOSCA that was working silently for 2 years without any official status. On the sacred day of 20th December 1993, it was stamped with official recognition by the virtue of registration in the court of ADM-cum-Addl. Registrar of Societies in Keonjhar district of Odisha state.

WOSCA, as a dedicated NGO, rolled out its activities as a social enterprise in 1993 to be instrumental for the welfare of the tribal community in Keonjhar district, Odisha. WOSCA has been a pioneer to implement various projects with wider dimensions namely governance and livelihood, health, environment and culture. It has been a catalyst for women empowerment through participatory initiatives and joint accountability in its operational jurisdiction.

WOSCA identified its necessity as a socio-economic reformer and change maker from the impressive progress achieved through micro level engagement, which made them diversify their operational portfolio. In the year 2003, it scaled up its journey by undertaking various projects namely watershed management project, food security and empowerment project, agri-based livelihood programme, integrated nutrition and health project, income generation activities focusing on SHGs (Self Help Group), cluster development project on jute craft and terracotta, rural livelihood entitlements tracking through real time monitoring system, forest based livelihood security programme and various other projects collaborating with government, non- government and international funding agencies.

WOSCA's intervention to move the community is phenomenal and emulative. The various programmes can be grouped into four sets such as livelihood issues, health issues, social issues and environmental issues. WOSCA’s initiative to streamline the flow of welfare schemes to the community was spectacular. Technological advantage was leveraged to track and fix flaws in service delivery system through TERcom (Tracking Entitlements of Rural Community) Project. It emerged as an impeccable software monitoring system, launched in partnership with CONCERN WORLDWIDE and two other NGOs in the district. The embarkation of WOSCA in the very life of the rural mass of Keonjhar transmitted them into an empowered community, which is aware of their rights and entitlements, infusing a fresh lease of life.

WOSCA lends top most priority to grass root level operations and hence intends to prepare the human resources as “active agent” for developmental actions. For its part, it began with vocational training program on tailoring and Handicraft products.

Stage 1

During the middle part of 1998, WOSCA started to diversify its activities towards health and environment. Health camps, eye camps, environmental awareness, marketing of NTFP, etc were organized.

Stage 2

Gradually, 2003 onwards WOSCA started to visualize its objectives in broader terms and involved itself in multifarious developmental activities through need based programs i.e. women empowerment through promotion of self help groups and providing them different support service trades. NRM and Bio diversity conservation programmes are launched to assist people in better livelihood options and help promote cleaner environment. Considering its long-term presence, WOSCA stepped up its effort in the areas of food security for the poor and deprived sections of the society.

Stage 3

Besides, it has begun its capacity building efforts to empower cross sections of the society at village level so that they can be instruments of change and participate in the development process. Strengthening of institutional system for improvement of service delivery through community empowerment is one of the focused areas for intervention and we are working on it.

In the quest of creating scope of livelihood enhancement of poor WOSCA started journey with Concern Worldwide India in the middle part of 2003 and took initiatives to assess the livelihood scenario where poverty stands and factors divides the further scope of enhancement.