INDIA ($4,550)
Four Income-Generating Projects
Project Coordinator - Miss S.S. Sudarmathi

Twenty-four women from nine villages in the Kodaikanal Hills of Tamil Nadu are participating in this one-year project.

VIVA’s (a current and past RSWR partner) activities have included formation of 60 self-help groups, awareness camps, income-generating for 73 women, three tuition centers for children, work on child labor eradication, training in organic farming and environment protection, and workshops on reproductive and child health. The beneficiaries for this project are from thirteen self-help groups. The project will begin with a ten-day training period. The four projects are eucalyptus oil extraction, vegetable sales, fruit and geranium leaf sales (geranium leaves are used for oils), and home-made chocolate sales. Loans of $170 will be given to each woman, to be repaid at 12% interest in 12 months. Anticipated economics are:

PROJECT	INCOME	EXPENSE	LOAN PAYMENT	NET MONTHLY INCOME
Eucalyptus oil	$745	$320	$80	$70
Vegetable sales	$235	$140	$15	$80
Chocolate	$745	$425	$50	$90
Fruit and geranium	$255	$150	$15	$90

From Dr. R. Kannan’s report, “Village Improvement Voluntary Association’s projects supported by RSWR is growing by revolving the seed money to benefit new members. VIVA is trying to bring other supporting organizations, people and projects to the target area. The selected income-generating projects are in tune with the knowledge and skills of the people, local resources, and market.”

Project Completed: December 31, 2010