Since 1994, Oasis India has been working with slum dwellers and their communities in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai, initially starting off with education initiatives like balwadis or pre school projects and other such initiatives. It soon became clear that, in order to be more sustainable, there had to be a change from programme delivery and welfare to empowerment.

By starting up women's self help groups and training up people from the community to lead the change and take responsibility of their own development, Oasis has seen individuals, families and huge sections of the communities transformed. "True empowerment is when the communities would be able to carry forward their new found hope into the lives of others with us just overseeing the work" says Kuldeep John, who heads Oasis India's community work in Mumbai.

Sports training has also been successful in reaching out to the youth in the communities and challenging them to take charge of their futures. Sports training has created a sense of team work and dedication. School dropouts are also encouraged to pursue their education and are helped in the process. Recently, 22 young men successfully completed their 10th standard examinations. Many of them also work to add to the family income.

Oasis India is developing the 'hub' strategy, using mobile teams of staff to work in various communities around the cities delivering higher impact and engaging the community. Oasis' Community Empowerment programme currently exists in 10 slum communities in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai with initiatives ranging from education, health awareness, training, micro finance and youth mobilization.