Empower deserted women and widows in rural India

In any village wedding, Zaida is an anxiously awaited person.  The women and girls of the family look out for her in anticipation and excitement.  Zaida is the person who will bring different types of ‘bangles’, an important ornament in the Indian attire for them, to match with the new dresses stitched for the wedding.

Zaida is a Muslim women trading in bangles.  She constantly travels to nearby villages to maximize sales and especially in the wedding season when this important accessory is in great demand.

Villagers living in interior areas find it very convenient to buy from Zaida.

Zaida’s husband was already weak healthwise, and so it was a tough life for Zaida with 3 boys who were also challenged in same or other ways.  However, the boys helped her in daily chores and also went for daily labour to supplement the family income which was a relief to Zaida.  She also tried dabbling in a small trade but with so many household duties, it did not run well.

Zaida became a widow in 2010, when he was 42.  Gathering strength for herself, she decided to take a loan of Rs.5,000/- ($77)and started this trade.  A small profit of Rs.2,500/- ($39) encouraged her to apply for a second loan of Rs.5,000/-.  Both loans were repaid to the Self Help Group and this time could get a marginally higher profit of Rs.3025/- ($40).

Meanwhile, the women’s groups of Chetana-Vikas helped her to get her name on the government scheme where rural widows get a benefit of Rs.600/-($9) per month.  This helped her get some breathing space.

Buoyed by earlier experiences, this time she took a loan of Rs.10,000/-($154) and with more material and variety started visiting 5-6 other villages to sell her wares.

Efforts and awareness for political empowerment at Chetana-Vikas meeting made her attend village council meetings from where she could secure benefit for a 2 room house, constructed in her own name.  Through meager savings generated from her business, she could add one more room to the construction.

Friends, as you can note these amounts are small but can generate substantial changes in her life.  Every Little bit contributes.

We request you to start a group of friends who consistently give whatever amounts they can to this cause.

Help then get to:

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/empower-deserted-women-and-widows-in-rural-india/

https://www.facebook.com/Chetana-Vikas-162861643736214/

 Thanking you a lot,

Niranjana Maru