Self Help Groups

We believe that the full potential of our watershed work can only be realised if it is supplemented by the Self-Help Group (SHG) programme. This is essential if we are to ensure long-term livelihood security to the poor. We are also convinced that the SHG programme can only be successful if it is tied up with livelihood programmes such as improved agriculture, dairying, marketing etc. Thus, the SHG and livelihood programmes are complementary to each other and their simultaneous implementation is the key to poverty alleviation. Incomes raised through livelihood initiatives need to be saved. Of these savings, women are the best custodians.

These savings must, in turn, be reinvested in livelihood options that raise incomes, setting up a virtuous cycle.Over the last four years, we have formed about 1400 women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in 247 villages and 13 towns with around 23,000 members. Most members of these SHGs belong to the marginalised --poor, Adivasis, Dalits, landless and displaced people. Our SHGs offer their members a range of financial products including interest on savings, recurring deposits, fixed deposits, loans against fixed deposits, loans for emergencies (the veracity of each of which is carefully judged by the members themselves), collective purchase of basic needs of daily life, loans for cattle and well construction, cattle insurance, life insurance etc. NEXT