Help Rural Women Gain Essential Business Skills

Dear Mann Deshi Supporters and Donors,

What makes the Mann Deshi B-School unique is that it lays no educational or age criterion for enrollment; has “any-day admissions” and offers courses ranging from two days to three months with fees from Rs.25 to Rs.1,200.  Founded in December 2006, it encourages and empowers rural women by offering courses to help them run independent enterprises as vendors, screen printers, photo-laminators, efficient goat de-wormers, bag-makers and computer operators.

Thus, an unlettered vegetable hawker like Aruna Gaikwad now uses a cellphone to source supplies from the wholesale market at Karad 100 km away to make profits at the weekly market in Vaduj.  Vanita Pise is yet another example who has sent up a successful milk vending business with the help of B-school.  She uses paper cup making machines for her operation and earns about Rs.4000 per month.  (In 2006, Pise received the CII Bharti Woman Exemplar Award by PM Manmohan Singh).

Since December 2006, nearly 40000 women have taken courses here to launch micro-business like selling cell phone recharge coupons, increasing fat content in milk from mulch cattle or selling pav bhaji and Chinese food.   Women have also harnessed mobiles to manage—and in some cases, expand—their client base, grow their businesses, and earn higher revenues. The ability to use mobile phones has also reduced women’s need to travel, thus saving them considerable time in managing their businesses and reconciling their work, personal, and family commitments. As they oversee growing enterprises, many Mann Deshi clients experience increased self-confidence and a greater sense of empowerment.

Please click on Mann Deshi football film which shows impact and added footage of business school

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkKsN5SSjdw&feature=related

Thank you to Mann Deshi donors for their continuous support.

Sincerely,

Vanita