India
Case Studies - Introduction
We serve around 4,200 clients in India through two projects in Chennai and Nagpur.
Rajalakshmi
Rajalakshmi is a mother of three from the island of Pulicat, two hours north of Chennai. She has used a loan to start a small business selling rice and saris in her village and has become the leader of her self-help group. She says that it has changed her life, "before we had only the men's income but now, with our own money, we stand on our own two feet."
Nandini
Nandini is a teacher in a village school run by an NGO, The Institute of Rural Development Trust, but she has also started a tailoring business. She makes ladies items, mainly saris, on a made-to-order basis. Her husband is a fisherman, and they have two children. She hopes her son will one day be an engineer. "Individuals and families are benefiting now, but we are looking to benefit the entire community in the future," she said.
Kunda
Kunda Sakhare lives in Nagpur, India, with her mother and two sisters. Her father died when she was only seven years old. Kunda's family had little money so she and her sisters were not able to complete their education. Sadly they were then unable to find employment.
Kunda attended an entrepreneur workshop hosted by the Community Development Society, a partner of Five Talents, and then applied for a loan to start her own business. Kunda received £50 and used the money to open a vegetable shop. Over the past few years she has worked hard, and her business has grown significantly. Now Kunda's mother and two sisters help her with her shop and the business earns £80 each month!
Asha
Asha Hiranwar is a 48-year-old woman who lives in Nagpur, India. She is a mother of two children and a successful entrepreneur. Asha started her own business in 2002 because her family could not survive on her husband's income alone. With a loan of £50, Asha started a tailoring business through a Five Talents-funded program in partnership with the Community Development Society.
Asha refunded the full amount in the given time, and received a second loan the following year to open another business - a general store. Today, both of Asha's businesses are thriving. The loans that Asha received have allowed her to become more independent. She is now able to give her children better education, medical assistance and food. Asha is very thankful for the loans that have made this possible.
Selvi
Selvi was too shy to join a self-help group when they first came to her village on the island of Pulicat in South India after the Decemeber 2004 tsunami. Now, she is leader of the 20-member Rainbow Group and operates a provisional shop. "I have gained confidence," she said. "Now, I want to continue to help my village.".