Although the Indian Central Government has been encouraging the formation of Self Help Groups since 2006, RUHSA – the Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs – has been working with Women’s Self Help Groups in the K.V.Kuppam area since 1998.
These were based on the Grameen Bank Project which began in the village of Jobra, Bangladesh, in 1976. The Self Help Groups in Tamil Nadu aim to give women social skills and confidence to make a contribution to the local community. They are trained to conduct meetings and helped to apply for grants to support their economic activities. In many cases they have been very successful.
Members of the Kamatchiammanpet Women’s Self Help Group attend a business meeting.
Committee members speak at a monthly meeting for Women’s Self Help Groups.
Putting the finishing touches to ornaments which will be sold locally.
The ladies have produced a range of products which sell well.
This Self Help Group has a successful business selling bags they have manufactured themselves.
The Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs runs training days for Self Help Groups.
This group specialise in making beautiful batik hangings like this one.
The women learn to do batik using a simple handmade tool.
Success is not guaranteed. This group disbanded after problems with the natural dyes.
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