Gender Equality India Project #6658

Microloans Create Opportunities for Indian Women

by Opportunity International

Project Report | Oct 11, 2013
India Update: Suvarna Panurang Phalke's Story

By Madeline Stone | Marketing and Communications Associate

Because of your generous support, women like Suvarna are able to overcome the hardships associated with chronic poverty. With access to financial services, families no longer have to fear tomorrow. Just a small loan can give a hardworking entrepreneur the opportunity to achieve life-changing transformation. With the proper tools, our clients are able to accomplish their dreams and build secure futures. Your commitment to Opportunity has changed everything for Suvarna and the women in her community.

Abandoned by her husband, Suvarna Panurang Phalke was forced to live in the Azadnager slum with her son and no means of support. With a child and no formal skills outside her duties as a housewife, Suvarna feared for her future. Hearing about Opportunity, she recognized her chance to start a new chapter in her life.

Investing an initial loan of $18, Suvarna purchased a used sewing machine and opened a tailoring business in a market stall. Using subsequent loans and the support from her Trust Group, Suvarna moved from the slums to Pune, where she runs a thriving business that created jobs for eight other women from the local slums. Suvarna says “My greatest reward is to generate jobs for other women; I want to help as many as possible out of the slums.” Suvarna is getting closer and closer to her dream of owning a home and giving her son a college education.

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