Microcredit Marvels: Empowering Women

Summary

As part of our mission, Prime Trust provides support for the children in slums, children of our women groups by organizing a program called `Children’s Parliament`. This program is designed for children who are in the age group of 8-17 and encourage them to engage in local, national and international democratic processes. Essentially these children are discussing issues that directly affecting their lives. Through these parliaments we believe that every child should be able to express themselves openly and without fear.

Challenge

Since the parents of the children in slums are unable to provide quality education, the children lose their opportunity. The children do not have knowledge of their rights as they are not raised well. The children fail to have good education and they are forced to take up work and earn. Sometimes, the older children are forced to stay at home to take care of the young ones. Thereby the children lose the opportunity to have education.

Solution

Children’s Parliament program aims to provide training on acquiring leadership qualities, personality development. The objective of this program is to make aware their rights. The children are given information on the political system in India, about the environment. This program helps the children to acquire holistic development.

Long-Term Impact

The long term impact of this program would be to create a potential society who will be assets of our nation.

Resources

http://www.primetrust.org
https://www.facebook.com/Prime-Trust-Childrens-Par

Summary

To empower 50 women to start or expand small businesses of their own by providing micro-credit loans.

Challenges

It is the fact that that bringing people out of poverty cannot be done through charitable efforts alone. Women, in particular, face a wide range of societal ills such as alcoholism, low literacy rates, limited employment opportunities, predatory lending and the resulting "debt trap" that puts them at a distinct disadvantage. This makes the women to have expandable income.

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

By making the women to generate their own income, we make them 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.

Resources

http://www.primetrust.org
Prime Trust Webpage
https://www.facebook.com/Akshyaconfederation
Twitter