“We are not only taking care of ourselves; we are taking care of our whole village.”
Through partnership with Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR), the Thisaigal Women’s Federation in rural Tamil Nadu is demonstrating how locally led women’s groups can create lasting change — not only for their members, but for entire villages.
What began with just 39 women has grown in two years to more than 140 women across seven villages. The federation is building both economic stability and community power.
At the start of each federation meeting, women recite a pledge that affirms commitments to care for their families, participate in civic life, and support one another. That shared accountability is visible in the federation’s growing impact. Across their villages, federation members are addressing challenges that affect entire communities.
When children became seriously ill due to contaminated water, women organized through the federation to escalate the issue to district health officials, leading to immediate treatment and water chlorination. Women also successfully advocated for a new concrete road, improving safety and access for schoolchildren and elders.
Members of the federation noticed that street lights were left on around the clock, draining village funds. Working collectively, they proposed hiring someone to manage the lights — a simple change that now saves about 50,000 rupees each year for public services.
As the women explain:
“We are not only taking care of ourselves, we are taking care of our whole village.”
RSWR’s approach emphasizes not only financial inclusion but also the relationships and confidence that grow through mutual support.
Mrs. Kalaiyarasi’s journey reflects this transformation. With loans accessed through her self-help group, she expanded from renting jewelry to running a snack business and purchasing a scooter that helps her balance work and family.
Her day begins at 5:00 a.m. with household responsibilities and preparing ingredients. By afternoon she travels to her stall, cooking and selling food into the evening — building income while caring for her children.
Before joining the group, constant debt left her feeling discouraged. Today, her family is debt-free and saving toward a new home.
When asked what matters most about the group, she says:
“The best thing about being part of the SHG is love — both self-love and the love of my sisters.”
RSWR’s partnership with Thisaigal supports training, savings systems, access to loans, and connections to government programs — while ensuring that decisions remain in women’s hands. As groups mature, they train new members and lead community initiatives, strengthening local leadership for the long term.
The result is more than economic progress. Women are building confidence, advocating for their communities, and creating systems that continue to serve future generations.
Through this partnership, women are not only transforming their own lives — they are shaping healthier, more resilient communities.
