Empower women in poverty through micro credit

As part of our micro credit program, Prime Trust along with its partner organization, M/s. Credit@People, France distributed a credit of Rs. 30,000/- each women in the Self Help Group of kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore District. 

Field Coordinator, Miss. Lakshmi Nagarajan, Credit@People and Mrs. Prabha, Secretary, Prime Trust handed over the cheque to the beneficiaries .

After a period of 10 days, the women brought their cows. Periodical programs by the Veterinary Doctor and Field Coordinator were conducted. The cows were insured. Training program on wiriting the accounts was conducted by Mrs. Elizabeth.

The funds were organized by Mr. Christophe, Founder Director, Credit@People, France and his management team.

Varagpet, a small hamlet in the Villupuram District is our adopted village where 50% of the people are from  tribal community who is considered as untouchables. They do not have education and take up work on daily wage basis. They are involved with hunting and making baskets. During the Covid pandemic, the families are finding hard to meet their daily needs. 

Prime Trust is there already supporitng the children by offering free tuition. To provide employment opportunities, Prime Trust invested and established a tailong centre where the women will have free tailoring classes and our intention is to set up a production unit so that the women will get work throughout the year and will be paid a decent wage. 

Now, the centre is equipped with 8 higher end sewing machines and we are now looking for buyers who can place orders.

The women will get regular employment and get a decent wage. Our support would help their children to go for school and will meet their family needs. 

Links:

• Akshaya Tailoring Unit

Summary

This project aims to underprivileged women to start or expand small businesses of their own by providing micro-credit loans or grants and to provide vocational skills such as Tailoring and Embroidery.

Challenges

In the patriarchal society, the women are not considered on par with men. They do not have an advantage of taking a decision in their family. She has to depend on her husband for everything. She is not financially independent and she is a machine to give birth her child. It is understood from our interaction with the community that mere charity alone cannot alleviate poverty. It requires empowering disenfranchised groups to become self-reliant. Women, in particular, face a range of societal ills that puts them at a distinct disadvantage. For example, alcoholism, low literacy rates, limited employment opportunities, predatory lending and the resulting "debt trap" restrict women from having an expendable income, let alone start small businesses of their own.

Solution

This project will provide small grants or loans (free or low interest) to women pursuing small businesses of their own. The awarding of loans and grants will be based on established small businesses or clearly outlined new ideas. Prime Trust already has a fair trade store in Puducherry that sells products that are made by women from our self-help groups. These women have voiced their need for additional funding to expand their businesses.

Long-Term Impact

This project empowers women to become self-reliant and self-sustaining. It gives them the financial independence that they rightfully deserve. Additionally, there are added opportunities for employment opened. They are also able to meet other small business owners through our Akshaya store meetings. This ability to form networks with other women gives them access to support systems and safety nets that they otherwise would not have within their own families.

Additional documentation

http://www.primetrust-org.in

https://www.facebook.com/Akshyaconfederation

Links:

• Tailoring Centre run by Prime Trust

Summary

This project aims to empower 50 women start or expand small businesses of their own by providing micro-credit loans or grants.

 Challenge

It is understood from our interaction with the community that mere charity alone cannot alleviate poverty. It requires empowering disenfranchised groups to become self-reliant. Women, in particular, face a range of societal ills that puts them at a distinct disadvantage. For example, alcoholism, low literacy rates, limited employment opportunities, predatory lending and the resulting "debt trap" restrict women from having an expendable income, let alone start small businesses of their own.

 Solution

This project will provide small grants or loans (free or low interest) to women pursuing small businesses of their own. The awarding of loans and grants will be based on established small businesses or clearly outlined new ideas. Prime Trust already has a fair trade store in Puducherry that sells products that are made by women from our self-help groups. These women have voiced their need for additional funding to expand their businesses.

 Long-Term Impact

This project empowers women to become self-reliant and self-sustaining. It gives them the financial independence that they rightfully deserve. Additionally, there are added opportunities for employment opened. They are also able to meet other small business owners through our Akshaya store meetings. This ability to form networks with other women gives them access to support systems and safety nets that they otherwise would not have within their own families.

 Updates

Due to Covid Pandemic, our programs are not very much active and we hope that it will regain once the pandemic subsides.

Summary

Empower 50 women start or expand small businesses of their own by providing micro-credit loans or grants and to provide vocational training so that they can start earning.

Challenge

Time has gone and it is impossible to provide money or other kinds to alleviate poverty. Instead by equipping community, we can bring them out of poverty. It requires empowering disenfranchised groups to become self-reliant. Women, in particular, face a range of societal ills that puts them at a distinct disadvantage. For example, alcoholism, low literacy rates, limited employment opportunities, predatory lending and the resulting "debt trap" restrict women from having an expendable income, let alone start small businesses of their own.

Solution

This project will provide small grants or loans (free or low interest) to women pursuing small businesses of their own. The awarding of loans and grants will be based on established small businesses or clearly outlined new ideas. Prime Trust already has a fair-trade store in Puducherry that sells products that are made by women fromour self-help groups. These women have voiced their need for additional funding to expand their businesses.

Long-Term Impact

This project empowers women to become self-reliant and self-sustaining. It gives them the financial independence that they rightfully deserve. Additionally, there are added opportunities for employment opened. They are also able to meet other small business owners through our Akshaya store meetings. This ability to form networks with other women gives them access to support systems and safety nets that they otherwise would not have within their own families.

Updates

Recently we have started our handicrafts centre which is supported by a German Volunteer Miss. Carine Laxmi Kandge. Now 4 women are getting trained to make handicraft products such as pillow covers, screen cloths and table cloths.

Resources

http://www.primetrust.org

Webpage https://www.facebook.com/PrimeTrustHandicraftCenter Twitter