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INDIA ($5,000)

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Project Director: Mr. G. Jothi

In the project area, which constitutes 12 villages, 40 of the families own less than one hectare of land. Rainfall is low. WIN has organized the women into 12 self-help groups. The women will engage in one of five trades; tree nursery, vermi-compost production, pappadam and pickle- making, masala powder preparation and thatch weaving. Each year 50 women will be selected from the groups. Each women will be lent $70, to be repaid in 15 monthly installments. Anticipated economics are:

ACTIVITY	INCOME	EXPENSES	NET MONTHLY INCOME
Vermi-compost	$150 (50 bags)	$70	$80
Nursery	$175 (1.500 seedlings)	$70	$35
Thatch weaving	$100 (1,000 pieces)	$70	$30
Masala powder-making	$115 (95 kg)	$70	$45
Pappadam & pickles	$115 (50 kg)	$70	$45

Vivian Hawkins (Philadelphia YM) and Blake Lipsett (Baltimore YM) visited in February, “60 women representing four self-help groups were gathered in a large room with tables holding packages of papadum and namkeen (snack mix), masala, pickle, and vermi-compost. They shared freely about their successes. At a nearby location, a group of approximately 30 women gathered to demonstrate their thatch-making and compost-making. RSWR loans of $70 are yielding incomes of $12-$20 per month. All members are saving now which was not possible before. They have rid themselves of debt incurred with moneylenders (60-120% interest rates). They are experiencing cooperation with each other. Illiterate members have learned to sign their names.”

Project completed: June 30, 2009. For a half-yearly report, click here.

From Dr. R. Kannan’s March 2006 site visit report, “WIN has formed 30 women self-help groups. Group members are highly motivated and have regular meetings. They also maintain minutes of records and accounts. WIN has trained staff, and is a small and new NGO [non-governmental organization].”