About You Empower Society: a registered public charitable trust in South 24 Parganas

Hamid Rasool

Leadership | Governance | Social Enterprise

Hamid Rasool was an engineer by profession and a problem solver at heart, with a rare gift for connecting with people and turning ideas into action. One of the three founding members of You Empower Society (Y.E.S.), he served as its General Secretary and was instrumental in shaping the organisation's vision, values, and foundations.

He was there from the very beginning, when Y.E.S. was little more than a handful of people distributing rations and medicines, responding to immediate needs, and learning through trial and error. What began as small acts of solidarity gradually grew into something more enduring. With his intellect, practical wisdom, and steady guidance, Hamid helped transform those early efforts into a registered charitable Trust and laid the groundwork for initiatives such as Project Horizon.

He understood that compassion, while essential, needed the support of sound thinking, strong systems, and a clear sense of direction to create lasting change. He brought these qualities to Y.E.S. with quiet conviction, helping build an organisation capable of turning its intentions into meaningful action.

Hamid Rasool passed away on 3 May 2026. His absence is deeply felt, but his presence remains woven into the life of the Trust. He continues to be our guiding light, not only through the foundations he helped establish, but through the way he taught us to think, solve problems, and believe in what we could build together.

We may never match his intellect, but we carry his thinking into everything we do. Our commitment is to keep building with the same purpose and integrity, and to create something worthy of the legacy he left behind.

Kamran Hamid

Kamran Hamid joined the Board of You Empower Society (Y.E.S.) following the passing of his father, Hamid Rasool, one of the organisation's founding members and its former General Secretary.

Based in Pune, Kamran brings a personal connection to the organisation and the legacy of service, commitment, and community welfare that his father helped establish. As a non-active Board Member, he remains connected to the Trust's journey and its continued commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and communities.

His association with Y.E.S. reflects the enduring bond between family, purpose, and the work of building a more inclusive society. Through the legacy he carries, Kamran remains part of the story of an organisation shaped by the belief that meaningful change is built collectively and sustained across generations.

Sabiha Hamid

Community Welfare | Social Change | Inclusive Development

Sabiha Hamid is the Chairperson of You Empower Society (Y.E.S.), a community builder, and a passionate advocate for social change. Known for her warmth, resourcefulness, and remarkable ability to bring people together, she has spent years building relationships, nurturing ideas, and finding resolutions where others see obstacles.

Beyond her work with Y.E.S., Sabiha is the founder of Toothsome Treats, a homegrown chocolate brand she built from scratch and established through creativity, perseverance, and an instinctive understanding of people. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects the same qualities she brings to community work: openness to possibility, a willingness to take risks, and the determination to turn an idea into something tangible.

Her role in the formation of Y.E.S. was shaped by a deep commitment to community welfare and the belief that meaningful change begins when people come together with a shared purpose. Her innovative ideas and never-say-never attitude helped transform that belief into an organisation dedicated to dignity, opportunity, and inclusive development.

As Chairperson, she continues to champion a vision of empowerment that is rooted in human connection and collective action. A natural mentor and a beacon of encouragement to women and men alike, Sabiha reminds us that change does not always begin with grand resources or extraordinary circumstances. Sometimes, it begins with one person, a little conviction, and the courage to believe that things can be different.

Kulsum Hamid

Institution Building | Women's Livelihoods | Social Enterprise

Kulsum Hamid is a social entrepreneur, co-founder, and Treasurer of You Empower Society (YES), where she works at the intersection of community development, women's economic empowerment, and social enterprise.

Driven by a belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to live and work with dignity, Kulsum focuses on building the systems, partnerships, and opportunities that enable people to shape their own futures. Her work spans organisational development, programme design, operations, and the creation of dignified livelihood opportunities for women and young people.

At YES, she is committed to translating the organisation's vision into meaningful action, connecting skills and craftsmanship with sustainable income, and community needs with practical solutions. She believes that empowerment is not about speaking for people, but about creating the conditions in which they can exercise their agency, make choices, and realise their potential.

For Kulsum, social impact is ultimately about building a world where dignity, opportunity, and independence are not privileges, but possibilities available to all.

Sumaiya Khatun

Lead Jewellery Trainer | Y.E.S. Artisan Lab

Sumaiya Khatun is a jewellery artisan and trainer whose journey reflects the power of skill development and the opportunities it can create. Through specialised training and hands-on experience, she has developed her craft and grown into a leadership role at the Y.E.S. Artisan Lab.

As Lead Jewellery Trainer, Sumaiya shares her knowledge, guides aspiring artisans, and supports the development of high-quality handcrafted jewellery. Her work brings together craftsmanship, creativity, and mentorship, helping other women build skills and explore new livelihood opportunities.

Shamshad Salahuddin

Lead | Darzi by Y.E.S.

Shamshad Salahuddin brings experience in tailoring, fashion design, and skills training to her role as Lead of Darzi by Y.E.S. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, practical learning, and the development of skills that can open pathways to economic independence.

As she prepares to lead the Darzi initiative, Shamshad will help shape its training and production activities, supporting aspiring artisans as they develop their abilities and confidence. Through her leadership, Darzi aims to connect traditional skills with contemporary design and meaningful livelihood opportunities.

Syed Jamal Ahmed

Coming from a background where pursuing higher education was a financial challenge, Syed Jamal Ahmed's journey through his B.Tech degree was shaped by determination, hard work, and the support of You Empower Society (Y.E.S.).

Y.E.S. supported his semester fees, easing the financial burden on his family and allowing him to focus more fully on his education. The laptop provided by the organisation became an invaluable resource, enabling him to practise coding, complete projects, access online courses, and develop technical skills beyond the classroom.

That support helped him build not only his technical competence but also the confidence to pursue his ambitions. Today, Jamal works as a Software Engineer at a startup based in the Netherlands, a milestone he attributes in part to the timely assistance and encouragement he received.

For Jamal, Y.E.S. did more than support his education. It helped change the direction of his life and opened doors to opportunities he might otherwise have struggled to access. He hopes to carry that spirit of support forward and contribute to society in the future.

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Rania Javed

Rania Javed's professional journey has been shaped by perseverance, continuous learning, and the determination to move forward despite challenges. With limited career guidance and early experiences in low-paying roles, she learned to navigate uncertainty by working hard, developing new skills, and embracing every opportunity to grow.

Her belief in learning from failure and trying again has helped her build resilience and confidence. Today, she works as an Email Marketing Executive at Manak Analytics and Development, bringing more than a year of professional experience to her role.

Rania recognises the importance of organisations like You Empower Society, which work to expand access to education, skill development, and career guidance. She believes that such support can help individuals become more self-reliant, recognise their potential, and shape a brighter future.

Her journey reflects the power of persistence and the importance of creating opportunities for people to grow, learn, and build lives of greater independence and dignity.

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