USO CO-Action Learning Centre
A Centre run by USO for the children and women of the basti in East Delhi.
The USO Co-Action Learning Centre empowers children and women through education, vocational training, and community-based initiatives that foster learning, confidence, and self-reliance. Every programme is thoughtfully designed to promote knowledge, life skills, well-being, and holistic development.
Since 1992, the Centre has been transforming lives by creating meaningful opportunities for underserved communities. Through education, care, and continuous support, USO remains committed to building stronger individuals, empowered families, and resilient communities.
Enhance Students' Skills
To enhance student skills, we offer a variety of tasks and opportunities tailored to support their growth. These activities are designed to develop their abilities and prepare them for future success.
Imparting Literacy
Under the guidance of USO-appointed teachers, we offer two types of classes for children:
Non-formal Education: This includes reading, writing (in Hindi and basic English), and math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division according to age) for children who do not attend school. Once they reach a certain level, USO helps them secure admission in nearby government-aided schools.
Remedial Classes: For children already attending school but unable to afford additional tuition, we provide support to improve their reading, writing, and math skills.
Skill Development
Young women in the area receive vocational training through various programs, including tailoring, knitting, mehendi application, and beautician courses. These activities equip them with valuable skills for employment.
Several former students, in turn, return to the USO Co-Action Learning Centre as teachers to share the skills they’ve gained over the years with new students.
Tailoring classes are particularly popular, where young women learn to create blouses, perform pico-work on sarees and dupattas, and design Punjabi dresses, among other skills.
Join Us: Register to Support
If you’d like to support our cause, please register with us by providing your details, including your availability and area of interest. We will review your application and get in touch with you promptly.
The Centre in Action...
REMEDIAL CLASSES
Over 70 children attend our Centre daily and receive snacks and juice after their classes.
TAILORING CLASSES
Over 500 women trained in stitching blouses, salwar-kameez, and pico work on sarees and dupattas.
SCHOOL ADMISSION
USO has successfully enrolled over 200 children in the nearby Radhu Palace government school in Delhi.
Community Camps
We annually hold Dental and Health Awareness Camps for the basti residents, in partnership with the Delhi Department of Public Health. Doctors from Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences and the Directorate General of Health Sciences offer consultations, provide medical advice and second opinions, dispense medications, and educate the community on personal and general hygiene.
Our Latest Dental Screening Camp
Our recent Dental Screening Camp, held with support from the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, took place on October 8, 2025. Dr. Maninder and her team stayed on until 1 pm, offering dental consultations, sharing oral health tips, distributing medicines, and engaging warmly with children. The free camp drew over 40 families, making it a meaningful community outreach initiative.
Our Last Camps
Our last Dental Screening Camp, held on July 26, 2024, in collaboration with the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, saw participation from over 40 families. Dr. Shameena and her team stayed until 1 pm to address queries, offer consultations, distribute medicines, and guide residents, especially children on dental care.
Health Camp
Our last ‘Health Checkup and Awareness Camp’ was held in partnership with the Directorate General of Health Services – Delhi on July 23, 2023. Dr. Alok Sinha and his team extended their stay past 2 pm to address all inquiries, consult with residents, provide medications, and engage with children. Over 70 families participated in the free camp.
Founder's Day Celebrations
At USO, we commemorate the birthday of our Founder Secretary General, the late Mr. Jiya Lal Jain, as Founder’s Day on January 27. This annual celebration involves inviting the students and teachers from the USO Co-Action Learning Centre to USO House for a festive prize distribution ceremony. In the morning, students are transported by bus, a journey of about an hour and a half, to USO House.
After refreshments, the celebration kicks off with cultural performances, including poem recitations and speeches prepared by the students. They then receive awards and certificates for their achievements. Following lunch, students enjoy an outing to a nearby historical site or watch a historical film. The day concludes with everyone returning home with gifts, having enjoyed a memorable day filled with fun, prizes, and enhanced awareness.
How It All Began...
Envisioned by the late Mr. Jiya Lal Jain, Founder Secretary General of USO, the first USO Co-Action Learning Centre was established to curb child begging at traffic lights in the Institutional Area. Around the same time, UNESCO launched the ‘EDUCATION FOR ALL BY 2000’ initiative. In response, USO chose to create education centres in Delhi’s slum areas to educate children and empower women.
The inaugural USO Co-Action Learning Centre was set up in February 1981 in the densely populated Trans Yamuna area, specifically in Janta Mazdoor Camp, Jafrabad, Seelampur, on the outskirts of New Delhi. The second centre opened in November 1991 in Prayog Vihar, West Delhi. Both centres fulfilled their mission and were closed in February 1992.
Initially, the Centre at Chitra Vihar was temporarily located at USO House. A teacher was appointed to provide education (reading, writing, and math) to children from nearby jhuggis. These children would attend daily classes and receive juice and snacks as a reward, a practice that continues today. USO fully funds this Centre, with no external grants received.