Empower Women to Seek New Opportunities in India

Updates from the Field:

Updates from the Field (or Progress Reports) on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.com by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

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Index of Updates from the Field

Final Report

By Yael Falicov - Director of Programs, IDEX, August 13, 2008 05:41 PM

15 Self Help Groups in all have been formed under the project during the reporting period. These groups of women focus on empowering the women of the region through education, capacity building, vocational training and small loans for income-generating projects.

5 of the groups were provided with start-up capital for microloans. These groups are from the Gagadi field center of GRAVIS. They were given the fund for starting various income generating activities. This money is being used as a revolving fund for strengthening small businesses started in remote villages by local women. So far, they have set up grocery shops, vegetable stands and soap production facilities.

Thank you for all your support for this project. To continue to support GRAVIS’ work please visit Project 2171 Help women secure food and water in India.

June 2008 Update

By Katherine Zavala - Coordinator of Programs, June 04, 2008 10:14 PM

Since the last project update in March 2008, GRAVIS has formed 4 more self-help groups (SHGs), having now formed a total of 12 SHGs in the past year. GRAVIS is currently helping the 4 new SHGs to access capital assistance form the local banks, to be able to manage income-generating projects. The new members will be carrying out projects in livestock rearing, improving agricultural practices and investment for grocery and vegetables shops at their village.

March 2008 Update

By Katherine Zavala - Program Coordinator, IDEX, March 07, 2008 05:51 PM

In the past six months eight new self-help groups (SHGs) have been formed in the project villages. GRAVIS helped establish five of these SHGs and contributed a total of US$2,000 to the eight SHGs, as seed capital to start their revolving loan funds.

With each of their monthly visits, GRAVIS’s field workers have noticed a significant increase in women’s involvement in the SHG monthly meetings. They have seen not only a higher attendance rate, but also the participation level has gone up. Women are now putting forth their views and opinions and showing more initiative by making decisions in the group.

December 2007 Update

By Katherine Zavala - Coordinator of Programs, December 13, 2007 06:24 PM

Kheteshwar SHG Dhaneshwar Nagar village

Dhaneshwar Nagar is a small village located five miles from the Dechu Phalodi Highway. The road leading to this village is a dusty track and there is no public transportation that can take you to the village. The only means of transportation is a camel cart or a motorcycle ride.

The women of this village never had the slightest idea of what a self-help group (SHG) was, until six months ago the field workers of GRAVIS went to their villages and got to know them and gradually started give them information on SHGs. 12 women looked over the information and decided to start an SHG. They named their SHG, Khesteshwar.

Since the Khesteshwar SHG established, the women started a savings group and try and save 600 Indian rupees (US$15) each month. After six months, they have together saved over 3000 Indian rupees (US$75) and have been able to provide credit to one of its members. Their next plan is to open an account at a local bank to earn interest on their savings and to be able to provide more credit to their members.

June 2007 Update

By Katherine Zavala - Asia Program Director, IDEX, June 20, 2007 04:41 PM

15 Self-Help Groups have been formed under the project during the past year. These groups of women focus on empowering the women of the region through education, capacity building, vocational training and capital assistance.

5 of these self-help groups were provided with capital assistance. These groups are from the Gagadi field center of GRAVIS. They were given the fund for starting various income generating activities. They were given this in installments. This money will be used as a revolving fund for strengthening the income generating units. With the help of the above money, the SHGs have set up units of grocery shops, vegetable vending and soap making.

February 2007 Update

By Katherine Zavala - Asia Program Director, IDEX, February 26, 2007 09:48 AM

Since late 2006, GRAVIS has formed five self-help groups (SHGs). SHGs are small groups of women who deposit small amounts of money in a collective fund to set up income-generating activities. More importantly, SHGs take an active part in participating in community projects and activities.

GRAVIS has formed one SHG in the Kalron Region, two SHGs in the Shekhasar region and two SHGs in the Gagadi region. Women of these SHGs will be encouraged to actively participate in their projects and will develop leadership skills. GRAVIS has, so far, facilitated the formation of over 400 SHGs and is linking them to microfinance and income-generating activities. These SHGs will be provided with a small capital to set up small income-generating activities.