Page 77 - Chambal SR_2015-16

SeLf-heLP-gROuPS (Shgs)
Our self-help-group programme, which creates
supplementary incomes for rural women, is
aimed at providing social dignity and economic
independence to them through micro-enterprises
and self-employment. SHG members are trained
in vocational activities such as beauty parlour,
tailoring, bangle making, and pottery.

Total number of SHGs 31

Total women 310

Total corpus 12.14 lakh

Villages 9

Table 17: Self Help Groups (SHGs)

We also work with NGOs and the government to
empower local communities. The idea being to help
the local communities leverage benefits of different
government schemes by helping them become
facilitators. Consequently, under the village contact
drive, government schemes are being awarded to
local communities.

A self-help group (SHG) is a village based financial intermediary committee usually composed of 10–
20 local women or men. The concept of self-help groups first took root in rural India and become a
successful initiative to empower women through micro loans, helping them adopt new and sustainable
livelihood activities. Under our livelihood initiatives, there are 31 SHGs in operation.

this is the story of ganesha, from Kundanpur, a Shg member.

Ganesha was financially weak and unable to meet the daily needs of her family. Six months back she
managed to start a very small-scale goat farming business. (In the rural areas of Rajasthan, the goat is
likened to an ATM, which can provide sustained financial support). Realizing the value of a goat, Ganesh
bought two of these animals for about ` 8000 by taking a loan from her SHG. She has been able to
realize financial resources to the tune of around ` 32,000 after her first sale. This has not only boosted
her family income but also her confidence. She has become a role model among other members of the
SHG in her village. On being asked about her future plans, she choked up and tears rolled off her face.
These were tears of gratitude and happiness. “Many of us have started supplementing the income of our
families; my accomplishment gives me a sense of dignity and feeling of happiness”, she said.

77