Make Women in Rural India Financially Secure

Dear Friend,

I hope this update finds you and your loved ones in good health.

It is a proven truth that if income lies in the hands of women, it ensures better wellbeing for herself and the entire family. Hence, empowering and equipping them with better incomes will bring greater benefits to the community.

In context to the rural women in Seva Mandir's work area, they come from the most disadvantaged sections of society, often lagging behind in human development indicators. We are working with these women to enhance their capacity to improve their social and economic status in society.

We can relate a factual evidence to you in context to the credibility of forming SHGs (Self Help Groups) in our working area…

Babudi, one of the members of women group (SHG) had fallen sick since several days and was in need of treatment but whatever nominal amount she had; she could not afford to spend it for her treatment considering this would lead her children to starve for the months.

As time passed by, her illness took a grave turn and she could not help but to be treated. Since she could not afford the medical bills, she could only rely upon her fellow members to come to her rescue.

The SHG immediately arranged the loan to clear her debts.

Babudi exclaimed that her fellow associates in SHG turn out to be real friends rather more than relatives. Had she not been member of this saving and credit group, she had to take money from local money lenders who take advantage of such situations by charging exorbitant interest rates and never let women like her come out of the poverty.  

The mission to form the SHG proves to be satisfactorily working and reiterates its purposes.  It is because of supporters like you that we are able to create such support groups, strengthen them and build capacity of tribal women on financial and even social awareness.

With this Covid-19 crisis, the importance of digital platform for financial matters has again proved its worth. Therefore, in the coming time, we are planning to work on digital financial literacy so that women can handle their finances more optimally and risk of being cheated is reduced. We will keep you posted on the progress and hope that you continue your critical support to this project.

Your support really means a lot to us. Once again, many thanks for being part of this extraordinary journey. Should you have any queries, please feel free to write to us at rmu@sevamandir.org.

Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir 

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page

Namaste,

We hope that you, your family and loved ones are safe and in good health.

The pandemic of Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to rural women. Seva Mandir’s role during this time became more important for these women and their families.

Seva Mandir has experience of more than 50 years of working with communities to transform and improve their lives – and that is no different now. Even during this pandemic, we remain committed to working with communities and helping them escape poverty.

During this period, we have increased our relief efforts to support these women and their families living in villages and urban slums of Udaipur and Rajsamand districts. Until now, we have provided around 50,000 relief kits for sanitation, food, storing grain and personal protection. Our food kit consists of onions, potatoes, grains, rice, oil, spices and salt, and in sanitation kit we are providing soaps and detergent packet, both enough to last a family of 5 for 2 weeks. Our comprehensive awareness campaign on Covid-19 has focused on the symptoms of Covid-19, how to protect those most at risk, quarantine methods, and more. Additionally, we are also coordinating with the government to support their own relief efforts. Until now, over INR 6 million (USD 80,000) has been spent in providing relief. We are regularly sharing updates of our relief efforts on our dedicated Covid-19 page on our website which you can find here.

Just a few months ago, Meera's mother died. She had been living under her daughter's care for many years, relying on her for every need. Meera's husband has died 25 years earlier, and, aside from her responsibility as a full-time carer, she also worked as a daily-wage labourer as a means of earning some income.

When the lockdown due to Covid-19 started, Meera's only way to earn an income was abruptly cut off. She didn't know how she was going to survive. Her only support network was her local Self-Help Group - a women-only group created and facilitated by Seva Mandir. Aware of her situation, they told her of Seva Mandir's Covid-19 relief efforts.

‘My situation is already so bad - I did not think it could get any worse.' Meera explains. ‘But then the relief kits came, and suddenly I felt like my own family is here to help.'

We deeply thank you for your valuable contribution. That has aided the families and communities to survive through this period of crisis till here.

We all know that the challenge is yet to be over, and the difficult times are ahead of us. Seva Mandir is unabated in its determination to continue working with its communities to find solutions for dignified lives and livelihoods. You can be part of this effort whether it is by donating directly to Seva Mandir, by spreading the word of Seva Mandir to people you know, or just by sending us your messages of support. You can give your support to our Covid-19 project by clicking here.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support. Please stay healthy and keep social distancing.

Regards

Atul Lekhra & the Seva Mandir Team

Follow us on www.facebook.com/sevamandir 

Links:

• Seva Mandir's Website
• Seva Mandir's Facebook Page