Nagpur
Community Description
Nagpur lies in the centre of India in the state of Maharashtra. It has a population of almost three million, of whom around 30% (900,000) live in slums having come to the city looking for work. The slum conditions are dire, with no running water. People live in small huts, which have tarpaulin roofs. Children are malnourished. They have little access to health care. The average wage of the poor (e.g. a manual labourer) in Nagpur is $1 to $2 a day.
By using business training and small loan programmes, Five Talents is helping the poor in Nagpur and surrounding communities to improve their living conditions, to live with dignity and to practice the values of stewardship.
Project Description
The program uses the group-lending methodology with groups, named "Talent Banks", consisting of 10 to 15 members. The starting loan is around £30 per member. The loans are used to help establish and promote growth of micro businesses like dressmaking, small retail shops and bakeries. The loan is given on the terms of 12 to 15% interest per year on flat rate and is for 10 to 12 months. The majority of the clients are women. Before the group-loan is given, each business is examined to assess the capacity of the borrower, the size of the market and other key elements of the business plan.
Five Talents Patnership
Five Talents is working with an indigenous organization, Community Development Services (CDS) which is recommended by the Church of North India. CDS are providing staff and logistics to operate the loan program in Nagpur. They are also integrating a Health Awareness and Preventive Treatment Program to support the clients.
Invitation
During 2010, Five Talents expects to loan to more than 300 poor families in Nagpur helping them to break their cycle of poverty. To do this, Five Talents is seeking £10,000 for the year 2010, and a further £10,000 for the similar programmes in Chennai and Cuttack.
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