Basanti says, “After being a businesswoman, I saw a lot of changes in my status. The financial stress of the family was reduced after my contributing to the family’s income. This resulted in my husband working harder and respecting me for what I do. It’s a big achievement for me”. She adds, “I believe that I can better organize things now when it comes to managing my finances; for this, all thanks go to the ASADS team.”
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Entrepreneurship Loan
Basanti Bai is an enthusiastic woman from Gambhirwatola village in the Annuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. The entire family was engaged in agriculture for their livelihood. They could annually earn 50,000 INR from these activities. Their farming business could not generate fixed and sustaining revenue due to increased weather fluctuations. With no other source of livelihood and a nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic worsened their family’s situation. During that phase, she used her source, availed a loan from ASADS, and opened a small shop near her locality.
Dhaniya Bai says, “I never thought that I could be a businesswoman. I feel very joyful as I can earn from sources other than agriculture activities and that I will be able to provide better education to my children and can foresee a better future for them.”
Dhaniya Bai, a farmer with no formal education, lives in the Sagar village of Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh. Her income from farming activities is not adequate for household expenses and children’s education. She always dreamt of having a small enterprise, but she was reluctant to take up any business activity due to financial constraints. She took the help of ASADS to avail an enterprise loan and opened up a new food stall at the junction of their village road. With this, she and her husband no longer have to go for daily wage work in different cities and be dependent on the labor work income, which by its nature was irregular and inadequate for her family.
Bhagatram says, “I am pleased and privileged that I could undertake the training and start the cultivation at our village. Even during these trying times, I could generate a revenue of INR 2.5 lacs from button mushroom cultivation. I am thankful to ASADS for understanding my potential and supporting me through the loan.”
Bhagatram Kol, a resident of Bamraha, Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, has proved that working hard with dedication can overcome any obstacles. A farmer by profession, but low productivity in his farm had cascading effects on income and savings in his family. He saw potential in mushroom cultivation and joined the mushroom cultivation workshop in Jharkhand. After the training, to realize his dream, he took a loan of INR 40,000 from ASADS to construct a mushroom shed, prepare the bed, and purchase spawns.
“Earlier, we had a fear of insects and wild animals. We even had to fear for our dignity and prestige. But, after the construction of sanitation unit near the house, we don’t have the fear anymore.” says Gangabai with a confident attitude.
Sanitation Financing
Poor access to sanitation services can expose vulnerable groups – particularly women and girls – to sexual, psychological, and physical violence, along with insect and animal attacks. It was the major concern of Gangabai for her daughters, a resident of village Meghlakali of Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh. With the help of ASADS, Gangabai constructed a sanitation unit near her house. Now, they don’t have to go far away.
“After the help from ASADS, we don’t have to worry about privacy, timing, and safety. Now we don’t have to travel to nearby streams early or late, thus, saving our time and dignity. We thank ASADS for their kind help,” says Galli Bai with a smiling face.
With the support of 15,000 INR from ASADS, Galli Bai constructed a proper sanitation unit at her house. With the construction within the household premises, now all family members do not have to travel to nearby streams early in the morning or late at night to alight themselves or even for bathing.
