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From Margin to Mainstream
Annual Report
2010-2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SSP A BRIEF DESCRIPTION
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STRENGTHENING OF SHGs AND FEDERATIONS
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SOCIAL BUSINESS
………………………………….…………………………….…………………………………………………………………….
SAKHI RETAIL
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SAKHI SOCIAL ENTERPRISE NETWORK
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MICRO FINANCE
………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………….
COMMUNITY HEALTH
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AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION
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DISASTER RESILIENCE
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SSP PROGRAMMES IN TAMIL NADU
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SSP PROGRAMMES IN GUJARAT
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SSP PROGRAMMES IN WASHIM DISTRICT
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SSP AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST
MARCH, 2011
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SSP A BRIEF DESCRIPTION Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) aims to bring women and poor communities from the margin to the
mainstream of development by forging partnerships with institutional actors and providing technical
support for community driven initiatives.
SSP works in partnership with over 5,000 women SHGs, comprising over 72,000 members in 1,600+
villages in rural Maharashtra and across the most disaster prone districts in three states in India. SSP,
together with its community level grassroots Sakhi federations and social enterprises, provides a range
of solutions/initiatives to meet microfinance, livelihoods, health, energy, water, sanitation, food security
and agriculture needs of the poor in a changing climate.
At the heart of SSP’s mission is the promotion of women’s empowerment and entrepreneurial skills. This
approach has evolved around organizing women into collectives and networks that facilitate greater
participation in decision making, and increase access to economic resources, health and basic services.
STRENGTHENING OF SHGs AND FEDERATIONS
The potential in SHGs can be enhanced through the work of Federations, which are made up of a
collection of SHGs and staffed by representatives of those groups. Federations can provide fee-based
services such as the promotion of community based enterprises, microfinance initiatives, and the
undertaking of government programs.
Agricultural survey: In the Nanded, Osmanabad and Solapur districts, an agricultural survey was
conducted by active SHG members and federation leaders regarding cultivation methods, the type of
crops harvested and market opportunities for agricultural produce. A total of 300 forms were
completed. This will assist the development of an action plan for vegetable cultivation initiatives.
Vegetables growers’ groups involving 500 women have formed
in the Nanded and Osmanabad districts of Maharashtra state, to
encourage a collective-based approach to organic vegetable
cultivation, seed processing and sale. The women are organized
into groups of vegetable growers, seed processors, sales
individuals and leaders, and use traditional methods of
cultivation. The development of vegetable growers’ groups has
allowed women to acquire entrepreneurial skills and financial
independence, helping them attain a higher standing in their
communities. They are looking to spread the practice to other
groups.
Training for vegetables growers’ groups is conducted in each quarter, according to seasonal need. At the
start of the program, women farmers and federation leaders work out the training calendar for the year
ahead. Federation leaders then carry out the training program with the help of the KVK, Agriculture
Dept. and other resource persons.
Creation of linkage to Government Agriculture University and KVK
Partnerships have been established between the district level Agricultural Departments (Krishi Vigyan
Kendra) and the Agricultural University. The department and university provide both training and the
organic certification of seeds. Producer groups and SHG members are now communicating regularly
with the Gram panchayat (village local government).
The training schemes conducted by the Agricultural Departments and Agricultural University cover crop
patterns (Rabbi Crop), seed processing, soil testing and its importance, use of fertilizers before soil
testing and agricultural management. Government agriculture officers were called in on these meetings
to share current problems and identify solutions. Marginal farmers are linked to government programs
such as digging small ponds for water management and soil testing. Soil has been collected from 65
farmers for soil testing.
Implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)
The NREGA scheme provides a job guarantee to BPL farmers for 100 days in a year. Prior to
implementation, the SSP team ensured that villagers were well informed about the scheme and its
benefits, holding various community meetings, workshops and gram sabhas. It was pioneered by project
villages in the Nanded district, which became a model for other districts.
Maharashtra State Electric Board (MSEB) meter reading program: SSP arranged for the Federation
women in Nanded district to work with the Maharashtra State Electric Board (MSEB) meter reading
program in five villages as a pilot. Two federation members were trained to operate a digital camera and
complete MIS data entry. The Federation in Nanded obtained recognition to function as a bill collection
center and earn an income through this work. SSP also provides technical support to Federation women
as part of the MSEB program, covering the installation of computer software and data entry.
MSEB – Monthly electricity bill distribution: They developed the SHG women network in 70 villages of
Osmanabad, and currently 75 SHG members are engaged in this activity. For this distribution work,
MSEB is giving Rs. 1.50 per bill to the Federation. SHG members earn an income through this work.
Farmers Club formation: 30 villages from the Osmanabad and
Tuljapur talukas, and 10 from the Nanded district were selected
to form the Farmers club. The NABARD scheme was then
introduced in villages with existing vegetable cultivation groups,
and the implementation process explained to them. The team
members regularly meeting the NABARD DDM’s in Osmanabad.
Now our team leaders are supporting farmers club leaders and
hoping to open the bank account for further processes.
NABARD Melava at Osmanabad: SSP and NABARD – DDM
conducted training programs for farmer club members, which were
attended by women farmers from 25 villages. Overall, 55 women
members benefitted from the training. Training mainly focused on
the purchase and sale of the products, and was coordinated by
NABARD DDM Mr. Deshpande.
SOCIAL BUSINESS
SAKHI RETAIL Sakhi Retail was established in January 2009, with the aim of providing consumer education and raising
awareness of rural low income households about the use of clean, green appliances, eco-friendly fuels
and other low-energy products.
The lack of markets, resources and competitive products often presents constraints on the scalability of
women’s businesses. SSP hopes to increase corporate interest in rural markets through the activities of
Sakhi Retail. It has established links between village level entrepreneurs (Sakhis) and corporate groups
for this purpose.
In partnership with British Petroleum, SSP co-created the Oorja Stove, a smokeless stove operating on
bio mass fuel. Corporate partners include Godrej, HUL, Honeywell, First Energy, SELCO solar home
lighting, D. Light, OGP Nutraceuticals, and Olive Mobiles.
Identification of Products: The criteria for product selection are clean, green, affordable, quality
products that would benefit the community, but are not necessarily known to community members or
available in local markets. Educating consumers about the products is an important aspect of Sakhi
Retail’s work. Selection of products is based on customer surveys carried out by top selling Sakhis. By
negotiating with multiple corporations over a range of products, Sakhi Retail has enabled the rural poor
to access quality products at affordable prices.
Building the Network of Sakhis: Sakhis from rural communities with demonstrated business acumen are
selected to form part of a network. They are assigned a sales area with a guaranteed customer base of
500-1,000 households, and to prevent competition, only one Sakhi is permitted to operate in a single
village. Each Sakhi makes an initial investment of Rs. 10,000 to purchase a stock of goods. They earn
commission on sales and re-invest part of their profit for the subsequent purchase of additional stock.
Distribution Strategies: Sakhi Retail initially pursued a strategy of door-to-door sales, to capitalise on
the social standing of the Sakhi and the community’s trust in them. They now also possess a number of
show rooms which customers can visit, and have recently begun to target restaurants and hostels
directly for products like the Jumbo Stove.
Research on marketing of local produce/commodities – future area of work
Nayan S. Momaya and Fahim, two students from the Dharwad School of Management, Karnataka
University, completed a study of SRPL and Sakhis. Their aim was to help Sakhis establish a rural retail
outlet for the trade of groceries. This should help farmers get a better price for their crops and minimize
the transportation costs involved in moving crops from one place to another. Conventionally, farmers
sell much of their produce at the nearest Agriculture Produce Market Yard (APMC) to a middle man,
who in turn would auction it to retailers at a profit. The ‘buy low and sell high’ strategy of middle-men
prevented farmers from receiving a fair price for their crops. Providing a direct platform to Osmanabad
farmers and those from elsewhere in the district, has been a central aim of SSP.
Having established the logistics infrastructure and a workable model for the retailing of products by
women in rural areas, Sakhi Retail is now set to scale up its operations with a new range of energy
efficient products.
Sakhi Retail is now part of the Dasra Social-Impact Cohort
Despite stiff competition, Upmanyu Patil, the CEO of Sakhi Retail, was selected for the for Dasra Social
Impact programme, which ran from 24th
to 30th
Sept 2010. Dasra Social-Impact is a professional
development program for social entrepreneurs looking to scale up their organizations over the next 5
years. The program equips entrepreneurs with the tools to realize their visions, through training,
mentoring, networking and raising funds. The participant attends three, week long, intensive training
sessions at the beginning, middle and end of the 9 month program, following which they have acquired
the requisite skills to successfully expand their own organization.
SAKHI SOCIAL ENTERPRISE NETWORK In keeping with its larger focus on livelihoods and women-led enterprise strategy, SSP has initiated a
Business Development Support Services Unit. Over three years, the unit provided women SHG members
with a forum for exchange with peers, a platform from which to gain new skills and local business
support. It was formally legalized as Sakhi Social Enterprise Network (SSEN) in 2009 as a non-profit
company to function as an incubator for rural social enterprise through which women can expand their
livelihood options.
SSEN has three core elements: (a) an Entrepreneurship School which focuses on entrepreneurship
development (b) a Vocational School focusing on vocational training and placement, and (c) ‘Go Direct’,
which provides services to government and corporate entities that can also serve to subsidize the costs
of the first two branches.
Entrepreneurs Training Module on Market analysis and business skills
The School of Rural Entrepreneurship is currently being piloted in Osmanabad district. It is a co-creation
of SSP and Start Up!, an organization dealing with new ideas and models of social change. The goal is to
inspire and help women and youths to launch socially-minded micro-businesses by developing their
entrepreneurial skills and mindsets.
Regular follow up meetings have been conducted with the 120 women SHG
micro-entrepreneurs who attended the first program of Market Oriented
Value Enhancement training in April-May 2010. MOVE is a curriculum for
entrepreneurial training pioneered by the Prof. Subhash, Dharwad School of
Management, and implemented and scaled up by the Best Practice
Foundation, a Bangalore based NGO. The concept of Rural Entrepreneurs
training was explained to participants, and their business skills were discussed.
In the follow up meetings, 14 trainers volunteered for the training program.
Two business foundation trainings were conducted in Osmanabad by these trainers with the help of
women resource personnel. Nominal fees for one day training were collected from 60 women
entrepreneurs who attended. Together with
including business skills (prepared ch
demand for entrepreneurial training in over 20 villages.
Vocational Training School: SSP has
boys who have completed their schooling. SSEN introduced gap filling courses
connect rural youths to local industries and the service sector
thereby professionalizing its services for a new segment.
years, demand based IT skills mobile centers were run in partnership
with Microsoft, reaching over 500 youth
SSEN partnered with the Government and DB Tech
technical education entity, to teach
management and career counseling
rural BPL youth under its existing Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar
Yojana (SGSY) special projects were also in
Since June 2010, in partnership with Don
that the BP group accesses 3,005 b
trainee campaigns, home visits, trainee counseling,
Sabhas. Training for the first batch started in
far completed their courses. 148 of them
have also been organized to provide ongoing support
Training to make CFL bulbs
SSEN conducted a scheme of CFL production training in partnership with General Engineering and
Marketing Organization from 11th
participants received basic information about
in damaged bulbs, and the internal
Study on SSP’s BDS services by Options and Solutions supported
by HIVOS in Sept and Oct 2010:
• The activities specifically implied
kind of support offered and the circumstances in which it is
provided.
• Services needs, at different levels
were discusses - from raw material sourcing to in
processing/production, packaging, transport, ma
Together with the Resource persons, they developed
business skills (prepared chart with 7 business skills). These training programs
training in over 20 villages.
has piloted and launched demand based training for young girls and
boys who have completed their schooling. SSEN introduced gap filling courses and placement services
connect rural youths to local industries and the service sector,
thereby professionalizing its services for a new segment. For three
years, demand based IT skills mobile centers were run in partnership
r 500 youths in remote villages. In 2010,
SSEN partnered with the Government and DB Tech, a pan-India
teach computer literacy skills, retail
management and career counseling. Placement programs for the
rural BPL youth under its existing Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar
were also introduced.
Since June 2010, in partnership with Don-Bosco, SSEN completed a survey of 40 villages
3,005 beneficiaries. Strategies used for to recruit new members
rainee counseling, parental counseling, corner meetings and Gram
Training for the first batch started in September 2010. 216 students, from 40
148 of them have since obtained placements. Monthly
to provide ongoing support.
CFL production training in partnership with General Engineering and
to 13th
Jan 2011. During this three day training
basic information about the spare parts of CFL bulbs, how to identify the problem
internal color code.
Study on SSP’s BDS services by Options and Solutions supported
implied in BDS were discussed – the
kind of support offered and the circumstances in which it is
levels of business operations
from raw material sourcing to in-house
processing/production, packaging, transport, marketing,
DB-TECH – Orientation
they developed a training tool kit
training programs increased the
piloted and launched demand based training for young girls and
and placement services to
survey of 40 villages. It was found
Strategies used for to recruit new members include
eetings and Gram
, from 40 villages, have so
parental meetings
CFL production training in partnership with General Engineering and
this three day training course, the nine
how to identify the problem
warehousing, and cash management. The cycle of business operations was analyzed, from the
investment of cash in working capital, through to the final negotiation of price and the overall
surplus. It was found that SSEN had been primarily focused on production at the expense of other
core aspects of the process.
• The target clients for SSEN and SRPL were discussed, and which of them could also use BDS. It was
found that the SSEN/SRPL focus on micro-entrepreneurs essentially limited them to very small
businesses. However, consideration of cost recovery suggests that some attention on larger
enterprises would be financially prudent. Services to large corporations, or other larger enterprises,
could provide links to much larger markets.
MICRO FINANCE
Sakhi Samudaya Kosh (SSK), the microfinance entity of Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), was formed with
the mission “to provide a range of socially relevant financial services for rural women and their
communities to help reduce poverty and to improve quality of life.” SSK began operations in 2006 with
an initial capital of Rs. 42 lakhs (one lakh is 100,000) funded by SSP with federations playing a role in the
initial generation of loan applications. In 2008, the entire operation was handed over to SSK where
several federation leaders were absorbed as field officers.
Focus on SHG: SSK provides financial services to its poor rural women consumers through SHGs, and to
urban consumers through Joint Liability Groups (JLGs). In focussing on its primary commitment to serve
the rural poor, SSK has emphasized the strength of the collective at the village level. Sustained efforts
are made to build the field officers’ relationship with group members, increase transparency within
groups and increase awareness of the status of loans and accounts among the members.
Livelihood Orientation: SSK loans are intended for the development of sustainable livelihoods rather
than on short term consumption needs. 95% of loans are currently used for productive purposes. By
registering as a non-profit entity from the beginning, SSK has avoided the pitfalls of other profit-driven
microfinance institutions, which may charge high interest rates and use coercive recovery methods.
Institutional Processes and Coverage
The total loan disbursement of SSK as of March 2011 was Rs 32.02 crores, spanning 8014 SHGs and JLGs,
reaching 31,839 members from 798 villages. For this financial year 2010-2011, SSK disbursed Rs. 8.36
crores of loans to 855 SHGs reaching a total of 5,870 members.
Products: SSK has four loan products based on principles of flexibility
and tailored to livelihoods. There is a short term loan with a maximum
size of Rs.40,000, a medium term loan of up to Rs.1,00,000, a long
term loan of up to Rs.3,00,000 and an emergency loan of up to
Rs.30,000, with interest rates ranging from 20-22% and repayment
schedules ranging from 12 to 24 months.
Credit-related processes: These include the promotion of loans, generation and appraisal of loan
applications, disbursement of loans, follow up and recovery. The various steps have been formalized to
increase transparency, build group health and trust, and to create checks and balances. Groups are
thereby monitored closely, in such a way as to prevent the mistakes made by other microfinance
organizations.
Vegetable grower’s groups ember
Health Camp
COMMUNITY HEALTH
SSP set up the community-owned Health Mutual Fund (HMF), which later evolved into the Sakhi Arogya
Samudaya Trust (SAST), to increase access to health services and provide social protection for the poor.
Women are centrally involved as service providers, and help to create a demand for improved health
services by forming health governance groups in their villages. With the active participation of
community federations, SAST was legally registered in May 2009, to focus on health initiatives –
preventive and promotive health care, the expansion of access to health insurance and the monitoring
of health services providers.
Arogya Sandhi or Community Health Trust Fund: The HMF was initiated by SSP with Sakhi federations in
2006. It was subsequently converted into a partnership model, with an insurance company. Arogya
Sandhi, or ‘An Opportunity For Health’, was launched as a comprehensive health service and insurance
provider in January 2009 with Swasth India Services (SIS), a for-profit health venture. The change of
model allowed SSP to provide outpatient health care and hospital coverage at affordable prices to
families with limited access to healthcare services. Members pay an affordable annual premium of Rs.
750, which can be subsidized further for the extremely poor, and are entitled to a family coverage of Rs.
30,000 and accidental death cover. Other benefits include discounted medical consultations, drugs,
compensation for wage loss, and onsite referral services from Arogya Sakhis or community health
entrepreneurs. In addition, the Trust set up Sakhi Clinics which provide outpatient services, similar to
public health centers, in areas with limited health care.
As of March 2011, the fund had around 12,682 people enrolled in 175
villages, with member contributions of Rs.18.7 lakh serviced by 16
empanelled hospitals and 18 doctors.
Women’s Health Governance Groups (HGGs) work to promote
community health and create sustainable public-private health
partnerships. Health products are created according to community
demand and made available to through HGGs. Groups also conduct
workshops on female and child heath, with special emphasis on health issues of the monsoon period.
HGG activity identifies and addresses gaps in the provision of medical services in rural areas, while
promoting women’s initiatives and influence in the community. HGGs are able to identify local problems
regarding healthcare provision and community needs, and bring these to government bodies and PHCs
for consideration. HGG agendas emphasize the importance of good transportation links to hospitals,
immunization programs, female health and general health awareness. When PHCs set about providing
demanded services, and sufficient funding is secured from government authorities, HGGs act as an
awareness platform, ensuring that communities utilize the available services.
Health Governance and Monitoring:
HGGs act as monitoring groups that hold the public health services (PHCs, Taluk and District Hospitals)
accountable to the community. Members are made aware of their rights to public services and actively
encouraged to access the PHC for primary care, thus increasing the demand for its services and forcing it
to be responsive to the community. To date, around 25,000 women have been able to access AIDS
testing, education and follow up care through the work of HGGs.
Initiatives
• Organization of Health camps conducted in partnership with
empanelled hospitals, to promote Arogya Sandhi and educate
members about network benefits.
• Encouragement of regular savings for healthcare contingencies.
• Provision of interest free loans to new members who are ready for
enrollment with SHGs. Existing groups who have sufficient savings
need to be initiated to qualify for interest-free health loans.
• Creation of a booklet of testimonies from experienced members
on the advantages of this initiative.
• Recruitment of new members by existing members.
• Visits by trust members to people who have used the services provided by empanelled doctors to
record their views and identify any difficulties experienced.
Key activities:
Training of Arogya Sakhi on HB testing: A training program was carried out by SAST to address health
problems arising in women and girls due to iron deficiency. It was run by Dr Mahek from SIS, and 30
Arogya Sakhis from Arogya Sandhi participated. The program covered hemoglobin testing methods and
technology, the importance of HB testing, the kinds of diseases that can be caused by an abnormal HB%,
the symptoms of anemia patients and how to improve HB% by adjusting diet or taking oral supplements.
Village Anemia health camps: After training, 5 active Sakhis started their own HB testing service and
organized testing camps with the help of health supervisors. Out of 1000 women and girls in eight
villages, it was found that 70% had health complaints, and that many are not using the public health
facilities available to them. Diet and cooking methods were also discussed.
Adolescent girls meeting: A meeting was conducted with 60 adolescent girls at school to promote the
use of sanitary napkins and to understand how menstrual health is currently managed. It was found that
out of sixty girls only 2 were using sanitary napkins, while the rest were following traditional practices,
which are not hygienic. The major findings of the meeting were that access to sanitary products in
villages is limited, and the products themselves may be unaffordable.
Melava
The Melava held on 5th
January, 2011 at Solapur was an opportunity for SSP to spread its message of
grassroots women's empowerment and community development. Over 500 women participated. The
Melava helped to raise awareness of the successes and activities of SSP, as well as introducing new
women and partners to the organization. It provided a forum for further education and the sharing of
ideas among the Sakhi women and those interested in the projects and services that SSP provides.
Arogya Sakhi training
“By joining SAST’s Arogya Sandhi (Health Insurance Program) I was able to provide medical treatment
when my son was sick.” said Surekha Tai of the Boramani Village, “SAST’s program helped pay over 8500
rupees in healthcare for him”. A series of role-plays were performed to re-create common problems in
village life. With a child falling ill, the mother in the play had no choice but to approach money lenders
to help pay for medical treatment. Through the advice of a friend, she instead joined an SHG run by local
women and supported by SSP. As a result, the mother was able to treat the child using the group’s loan.
The 2011 Melava helped not only to attract new interest, but also to provide new ideas for rural
women’s groups. Overall, it served to advance the ultimate aim of self empowerment through self
education.
AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION Women lead farming initiatives in Dindegaon, Maharashtra
Dindegaon is a 300 family strong village located near Osmanabad in
rural Maharashtra. Over 100 households are farmers, while 30 are
employed as laborers. Until last year, the men in the village would
take all decisions on what crops to plant with little focus on family
nutrition. Due to sudden spurts of rain, crops were washed away;
uncertainty increased while the yield of food grains reduced.
Meanwhile, labor and input costs had increased, making farming
untenable for small
farmers.
Many women, like Meera, were part of the network of over 1,00,000
savings and credit groups . Over the years, several had accessed
loans and improved their incomes through participation in the
network. But their roles in agriculture had remained unchanged.
Women worked on their own farms, as workers, but did not view
themselves as farmers. All that changed for Meera, who now leads
25 women producers.
In April 2010, her group
gained first hand
information about
improving health and
nutrition through
diversifying crops. Next,
with the help of SSP
teams, the group visited
the Agriculture Science
Centre. The government trainers and scientists testified that while
these women had not received formal training in improved
agriculture, they had hands on knowledge of farming. Meera and
her group decided to negotiate an acre each of land from their
families for vegetable production. Around 14 women decided to
farm on each other’s farms, dispensing with labor. They were
pleased with the organic produce that they harvested, which sold
at higher price. After the men in the village noticed the improved
health of their children, there was a village-wide transition from
Women’s Producer Groups are reducing:
Climate Risk in agriculture by
• Using indigenous seeds
• Bio fertilizers and pesticides
• Low inputs after analysis of soil
content and moisture
• Efficient water through drip
irrigation
• Planting bio shields
• Farm ponds
Appointing women as Climate Monitors
• Give onsite on time crop, inputs
advisory to transfer from lab to
farm
Creating collective marketing groups
• Linking rural collection to urban
vendor women
Accessing small Funds for climate smart
agro initiatives.
“Collective farming allows poor women
to gain control over small farmland and
decision making in agriculture. They
have a new identity as farmers, until
now only possessed by male farmers”
Godavari Dange, Leader of the Sakhi
Women’s Savings and Credit
Federations, Osmanabad,
Maharashtra.
chemical fertilizers and cash crops to organic farming of millets, vegetables and cereals.
Collectively, it was agreed that crop farming would be organized in accordance with the guidance of
agriculture scientists. Women began comparative farming to test the merits of bio-compost and chemical
fertilizers. One woman conducted an experiment to compare the yield from indigenous seeds and the
government hybrid varieties. She found that the yield remained constant in the absence of chemical
fertilizers, which permitted a reduction in costs. Since the creation of village vegetable markets, there is now
a ready availability of fresh produce and daily diets have changed. Incomes have also risen, as women groups
send their representative to market in towns.
Through the GROOTS–SSP Climate Resilience project, the 14-member group has submitted a loan proposal to
their Sakhi Federation. The loan will allow the group to expand vegetable cultivation, undertake seed
production and enterprise for bio composting.
DISASTER RESILIENCE
“Building Community Disaster Resilience with NGOs and Women’s Groups in Bihar, India”
SSP has carried out initiatives focused on grassroots communities in disaster risk reduction for more
than 10 years by organizing learning exchanges, dialogue workshops, DRR pilot initiatives,
documentation and profiling of community trainers, forming a national alliance to bring the grassroots
voice out at the national and global level.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
• Understanding the concept of resilience
• Recognizing the role of SHGs/CBOs by NGOs to reduce risk
• Strengthening the network with NGOs and communities
• Including women’s groups in NGO programmes
• Involving communities and understanding vulnerability
• Strengthening local partnerships
• Documenting best practices in DRR
• Shifting the focus from immediate disaster response to sustainable development
• Mobilising women community in addressing climate threats
Participatory Assessment:
To enable NGOs and
communities to move from
short-term disaster response
initiatives toward sustainable
development, SSP organized an
assessment visit in Bihar.
Most of the NGOs were
working in flood related
activities on relief and
rehabilitation. Very few were found to be linking the short-term relief work to sustainable development.
Networking initiatives
Proper communication channels were needed to maintain the partnership of NGOs and grassroots
communities. SSP has addressed this need by forming a network involving grassroots communities and
NGOs to build a more resilient community in Bihar.
Meeting with partners
In December 2010, a meeting was organized in Patna with all SSP partner NGOs to discuss the future
course of action. It was decided that to strengthen the partnership the following activities should be
conducted without delay.
• Conducting learning exchanges among NGOs and communities.
• Creating a grassroots network in Bihar
• Preparing guidelines on the process of orientation on DRR in Bihar
• Identifying communities/groups who have taken the lead in DRR
• Providing support for such groups to help them sustain these activities
• Preparing coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies to address climate threats across
vulnerable communities in Bihar.
• Highlighting the role of women in resilience building at the state and national level
• Encouraging partnership between government and community in development programmes.
Outcome
NGOs are being made increasingly aware of the need to move away from short-term relief provision
toward a sustainable development approach. Local authorities are also recognizing the benefits of
community partnerships to encourage development in village life. The grassroots network initiative has
consequently been given a push from the intervention of the network in Bihar.
SSP PROGRAMMES IN TAMIL NADU Introduction: After the 2004 Tsunami, SSP started to work in 40
villages in the Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu.
The emphasis has been on reducing healthcare costs, promoting
female empowerment and improving community resilience to
natural disasters.
ASHAA Group Formation: SSP approached the villages in January
2005, and carried out an assessment of the water, sanitation and
health situation in the area. A community workshop helped to
identify certain issues that were important, and with the support of SSP the female community
organized themselves into ASHAA (Arogya Sakhis for Health Awareness and Action) groups. Each group
was granted access to the nearest public and private health facilities, and in this way ASHAA groups have
begun to prevent diseases and reduce the need for expensive healthcare. The success of the first ASHAA
groups has influenced nearby villages and, with the assistance of established groups, a further 60 ASHAA
groups have now been formed.
Health Guides and ASHAA Groups: As a first strategy to intervene in health, Health Guides were
appointed in local villages to work with the community. They were giving training by medical doctors on
various key illnesses, with a particular emphasis on women’s health. Health Guides are able to provide
training to ASHAA members who participate in village development work, helping to build awareness
among community women.
As the next step ASHAA Groups (Aarogya Sakhi Health Awareness & Action) with 12-20 members were
formed in each village. The groups consist of voluntary workers who motivate villagers to take part in
health and sanitation initiatives. The formation of ASHAA Groups has changed the way women
participate in the development process. Women have now approached SSP to build community centers
in the villages, for livelihood activities, training, medical camps and SHG activities.
Working with Primary Health Centres: One of the major activities of ASHAA is the promotion of
partnership between communities and village Primary Health Centers (PHCs). These government-
operated clinics provide each village with a local health center and assigned village health nurse (VHN).
Prior to the tsunami, the village nurse came to the village erratically and did not provide adequate care
for the patients. The villagers had negative misconceptions about the quality of service, and the center
was ignored in favor of more expensive private hospitals. This incurred an average expense of Rs. 200
per month per person on family health. Since ASHAA negotiated with PHC doctors and nurses, the
picture has changed dramatically.
The nurse now visits the village weekly and provides medicines for basic illnesses to ASHAA leaders who
distribute them throughout the village. Once the infrastructure and medicine stocks had improved, the
villages began to utilize the PHCs, thereby saving up to Rs. 200 per month.
Community Health Fund: To sustain the health services and network, ASHAA has created a common
health fund for the community. Each member makes monthly contributions to the fund to cover health
related expenses. This idea is being spread across the villages in the hope that membership will rise.
ASHAA also maintains a database with information about doctors in the district, pharmacies, medical
laboratories and hospital facilities, amongst other things
Roles of the ASHAA groups: ASHAA groups have worked with state
governments to identify and implement the following healthcare
schemes:
• Referrals: More than 1300 patients were referred to Primary
Health Centers and district level government hospitals in
Cuddalore and Nagapattinam from April 2010 to March 2011.
These included cases of fever, TB, accidents and family planning.
• Polio: Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can lead to partial or
full paralysis. To eradicate this disease, the Indian government organizes polio drop-in camps every
year, during which Ashaa group members jointly work with PHCs as volunteers in their village.
• PHC Nurse Visits: PHC Nurses now make three visits per month to villages and provide treatment to
pregnant women, the elderly and young children. They also distribute vitamin A tablets, iron tablets
and vaccinations.
• PHC-Outreach Services (ORS) camp: ASHAA members are actively involved in Outreach Services
(ORS) with PHCs to distribute free tablets, identify pregnant women, distribute Tuberculosis tablets,
and implement other village level programs organized by government health centers. The Cuddalore
health department PHCs have also held awareness days throughout a 2 week period for ASHAA
members in areas such as viral fever. Last financial year 48 ORS camps were organized, from which
more than 1200 people benefited.
• Village Health checkup & health awareness program: ASHAA members usually organize village level
health awareness programs in collaboration with their nearest PHCs. During these programs, staff
nurses and health inspectors provide information about various diseases to community women, and
distribute vitamin tablets. In the last financial year, SSP organized 26 such camps, in which more
than 600 women participated.
• School camp: Through PHCs, SSP organizes school camps in local communities, concentrating on
rural elementary schools. Last year more than 16 such camps were organized in Nagapattinam.
During the camps, a dedicated team headed by PHC’s Doctors screens students to identify any major
health problems. The stuff nurses and ASHAA volunteers measure the student’s height and weight.
• Awareness of H1 F1 virus (swine flu): The Thiruvenkadu PHC organized a one day awareness
program about the H1F1 virus on September 8th, in which women’s federations from Chitra,
Leelavathi and Rathika participated. Mr.Rajendran, a health inspector, provided information about
the virus and its symptoms. He also warned that there are nearly 30 people who have so far died as
a result of it. He insisted that community people spread awareness, particularly to SHG members.
Tamil Nadu chief minister health insurance scheme: SSP has helped poor women to obtain surgery in
Krushnasami Hospital at Cuddalore. Mrs.Vasanthi (37), from Chinnandikuzhi village, was found by
doctors to have a stomach tumor, after a year of persistent health problems. She was referred to
Krushnasami Hospital, Cuddalore, for treatment under the Tamil Nadu chief minister health insurance
scheme, and received surgery on February 2nd free of charge.
Working with municipal health department in Cuddalore municipality, Tamil Nadu:
• Mobile Health camps in flood affected areas:
members requested OT-PHCs
flood affected coastal areas. Two health camps in Cuddalore
have since been set up.
• The first camps were held on December 8
of Sonankuppm and Singarathoppu
members benefitted, Dr. Baskar, health officer of
health centre, ran the camp, with
Special Medical camp with fisheries welfare department:
organized a one day medical camp for fishing communitie
2011. Senior health officer Dr.Rajakumari and other health officials from Th
with the help of traditional village panchayat leaders and ASHAA
people benefitted from the camp and 26 patients were referred to the district government hospital for
further treatment.
Partnerships with Health Institutions:
PIMS Special camps: The Pondicherry Institute of Medical
three Special health camps last year.
local people can take full responsibility for planning. PIMS
treatment where appropriate. 1,030 peopl
Partnership with Aarupadai Veedu Medical College Pondicherry:
College Pondicherry jointly organized
2010. The camp was run by a team of medical practitioners headed by Dr.Arunachalam,
140 people participated. The medical checks covered
things. From those that attended, 17 patients
vidu medical college. In the last two
college for the Tsunami affected coas
SSP PROGRAMMES IN GUJARAT
Formation and Maintenance of Savings and Credit Groups
Self Help Groups (SHGs) consist of 10
contributions into a pool of money from which credit
function as agents of change, with many women members becoming key actors in the progress and
development of villages and towns. In the Kutch district, there are currently 293 SHGs across 65 villages;
and in the Jamnagar district there are 368 groups across 55 vil
accounts, which enable them to obtain
organized into 6 further groups and 1 federation (across Rapar and Bachau), whilst the 368 groups in
Jamnagar are organized into 5 further groups
Working with municipal health department in Cuddalore municipality, Tamil Nadu:
in flood affected areas: SSP federation
to organize health camps in the
s. Two health camps in Cuddalore
held on December 8th
and 9th
in the villages
Singarathoppu, from which more than 160
members benefitted, Dr. Baskar, health officer of the OT Primary
with the help of three staff nurses.
Special Medical camp with fisheries welfare department: The Department of Fisheries W
medical camp for fishing communities in Konayampattinam village on February 9
2011. Senior health officer Dr.Rajakumari and other health officials from Thiruvankadu PHC
lage panchayat leaders and ASHAA group volunteers. More than 450
the camp and 26 patients were referred to the district government hospital for
Partnerships with Health Institutions:
Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and SSP jointly organized
last year. The camps are arranged locally so that ASHAA group members and
responsibility for planning. PIMS provide free medicine and
1,030 people benefitted from the camps held last year.
Aarupadai Veedu Medical College Pondicherry: SSP and Aarupadai Veedu Medical
College Pondicherry jointly organized a special medical camp in Nochikadu village on
team of medical practitioners headed by Dr.Arunachalam,
. The medical checks covered Bp, Sugar, Anemia and Fever
17 patients were referred for further in-house treatment at Arupadai
last two years SSP has jointly organized several camps with this medical
sunami affected coastal people of Cuddalore.
SSP PROGRAMMES IN GUJARAT
Formation and Maintenance of Savings and Credit Groups
Self Help Groups (SHGs) consist of 10-20 women who come together once a month to make regular
pool of money from which credit can be drawn. Within the community, SHG
as agents of change, with many women members becoming key actors in the progress and
development of villages and towns. In the Kutch district, there are currently 293 SHGs across 65 villages;
Jamnagar district there are 368 groups across 55 villages. All these groups have opened bank
to obtain loans and credit from MFIs and banks. The 293 SHG
and 1 federation (across Rapar and Bachau), whilst the 368 groups in
further groups and 1 federation (across Jodiya, Dhrol and
The Department of Fisheries Welfare
Konayampattinam village on February 9th
iruvankadu PHC, ran the cap
oup volunteers. More than 450
the camp and 26 patients were referred to the district government hospital for
Sciences (PIMS) and SSP jointly organized
group members and
e medicine and arrange further
SSP and Aarupadai Veedu Medical
Nochikadu village on December 23,
team of medical practitioners headed by Dr.Arunachalam, and more than
Fever, amongst other
house treatment at Arupadai
jointly organized several camps with this medical
20 women who come together once a month to make regular
. Within the community, SHGs also
as agents of change, with many women members becoming key actors in the progress and
development of villages and towns. In the Kutch district, there are currently 293 SHGs across 65 villages;
lages. All these groups have opened bank
loans and credit from MFIs and banks. The 293 SHGs in Kutch are
and 1 federation (across Rapar and Bachau), whilst the 368 groups in
and Jamnagar).
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Linking to Local and Other Government Schemes
in Jamnagar
Passed In Process Renewed
Focusing on sustainability of SHGs by linking to various encouraging schemes
In the Jamnagar District SHGs are rigorously checked by banks, who monitor their transactions, record-
keeping and monthly register. The groups can apply for the revolving fund from the Sakhi Mandal
Project, District Rural Development Authority (DRDA) and the new cash credit scheme by the
Government of Gujarat called Mission Managalam. A total of 19 groups were assigned Rs. 5000/- each
from the revolving fund.
Groups were also encouraged to apply for funds directly from banks, allowing loans to be obtained at a
nominal rate of interest. If links between banks and groups can be established now, the process of
negotiating further loans in future should become easier. A total of 62 SHGs applied to deal with the
banks directly, out of which 21 have so far been approved. The remaining groups are in process of doing
so. The total loan allocated ranges from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 per group, and as a result of the bank
linkage scheme, a total of Rs. 5,30,000/- was distributed to the 21 sanctioned groups.
Zaynam Izakbhai Notiya, 42 (member of Sailani Saki Bachat Mandal, Sachan, Jamnagar) has been connected with
SSP for 7 months. The village where he lives is largely composed of minority groups, such as Muslims, and the
population is mostly engaged in fishing. The catch of fish in this area is prone to vary according to both manmade
and natural factors. It has consequently been important for the women in the community arrange alternative
sources of income, in case the catch of fish should be low. Zaynam had the idea of tapping into the skills that local
women had in tie-dying sarees and blouses, an acticity which had thus far been confined to their homes. After
negotiating a loan of Rs50,000/- Zaynam purchased stocks of material from Jamangar for the local women to use.
25 women were initially engaged in Zaynam’s project, and she hopes to involve around 250 women in future. A
piece of tie-dyed clothing can sell for Rs.50 to Rs.110, and the project has, with the help of the credit linkage
scheme, boosted the incomes of households in the village considerably.
Linking to Local Government and other Development Schemes
The process of strengthening the SHGs and working with women leaders had helped to link members of
rural communities to various government schemes.
In Jodiya Taluka, most groups are
dependent on fishing as their primary
source of income. However, many were
unaware that fishing licences are
required to legally catch fish. SSP staff
were able to help female members and
their families to obtain licences both to
catch and sell fish.
There have been a variet of related
development schemes in this area:
- A total of 37 fishing licenses were
distributed in 2010-2011 with SSP’s
help, and 8 licenses were renewed.
The benificieries are mostly from the
three villages of Jodiya, Sachana and
Bela.
- 13 families were provided with
connection to electricity.
- 4 members obtained hearing enhancement devices .
- 2 members were approved for old age pensions and house reparing schemes.
- 6 members benifited from government housing schemes.
- In addition, 5 individuals benifited from the government’s total sanitation program, in which they
received Rs. 1200/- for the construction of toilets.
Several linkages have been established in Rapar too:
- A total of 63 applications were selected under the Manav Kalyan Yojna and schemes of taluka
Panchyat. Successful applicants have received a variety of items, including pulling carts, sewing
machines, large polythene sheets to cover the grains and storage bins for their grain.
- In Shivgadh Village, 40 applications were accepted for the Balika Samrudhi Yojna scheme in January.
Under this scheme, a bank account for a girl is opened in her guardian’s name, into which Rs.500 is
deposited every month. The money is received in full when she turns 18 or is married.
- Under the Total Sanitation Campaign, 70 BPL Families obtained readymade structures in the villages
of Shivgadh and Vrajvani.
- 18 forms were also selected for Indira Awaz Yojna, in which the beneficiaries received Rs. 55000/-
for housing assistance.
- Under the Mendiyawal (Herbal medicine) scheme (Government of Gujarat) a total of 29 applications
were selected, in which the farmers received Rs. 5000 as a motivational fund to grow herbal
medicines on their farm. This scheme promotes for the growing of herbal plants, which only need
minimal attention for their cultivation.
Livelihoods and Community Enterprise Development
As part of SSPs focus on female empowerment, rural women in Jamnagar have received various kinds of
support. The focus has been on promoting income generating activities to help women support
themselves and their families for generations to come.
Last year, the SAHAS committee (details in last year’s report) was set up to achieve these goals. It is a
local body designed to monitor the disbursement of funds to existing and prospective future female
members. In addition, development has been encouraged by linkage schemes. Loans have been
negotiated as a result of bank linkages in Jamnagar and Kutch, for investment into embroidery work,
khakra making and other income-generating activities.
Market Survey and meetings
A meeting with the Uthan organization in Bhavnagar was arranged by SSP in order to observe the work
that they do for the development of fishing communities in the coastal regions of Mahuva. The
community visited belonged to the Koli Cast, which is one of the more backward communities in
Gujarat.
Crab and lobster fattening techniques were attempted here, with some encouraging results. However
the pilot scheme also encountered some issues. The crabs found in this region are of a different type to
those in Jamnagar, so the method may need to be adapted. Technical advice from experts will probably
be needed to design the optimal technique. The project has been supported by the Coastal Salinity
Prevention Cell.
Crab Fattening Pond and the crab which is put in the pond for fattening
Training
A training program was held in
September, during which two
women leaders from Jodiya and one
from Rapar, Kutch attended. The
women leaders presented in detail
the activities that have been
undertaken through networks for
Disaster Resilience in Gujarat. Plans
to expand and strengthen the grass root networks were also discussed. The participants in the workshop
were from Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra and it was a great platform for them to share
their experiences with each other.
Six training programs were organized by SSP in collaboration with the
Dantiwada Krishi University in the Rapar Taluka of Jamnagar on
different issues concerning Livestock Rearing and Agriculture. The
programs were attended by 13 villages. They covered the use of
fertilizer and the optimal time to sow different crops for maximum
yield. The main focus was on the cultivation of cumin, bajara, wheat,
mustard, and isabgole. Members concerned with raising livestock
were trained in how to provide the best care for the young, animal
nutrition, how to administer home-made remedies for common
ailments and how to reduce waste in caring for cattle.
An agricultural training program was also run in Fategardh, and was
attended by 35 women. The main objective of this program was to
address the vegetable shortages in these villages, which had led to
people travelling as far as Taluka to obtain produce. Many of the
women had large plots of land in their homes, and so were
encouraged to cultivate their own vegetables instead.
Two training programs on handicraft activities were also held this year.
One of the programs, for which there were 20 attendees, trained
women in embroidery, and the other was a special Training of Trainers
Program. 4 female members participated and were advised in pinning
and printing training, so that they can pass on skills to local women in
their areas.
Three training programs on group dynamics and record keeping were carried out in Sachana Village,
Jodiya village and Dhrol Taluka for the groups newly formed under the NABARD SHG and Strengthening
programs. The President, Secretary and Women Leaders of 50 SHGs participated.
Women leaders from Gujarat at
the Grassroots Women Leaders
Workshop in Bangalore
Training program on Animal
Husbandry at Fathegardh
jointly conducted by SSP and
Dantiwada University
Record Keeping and Group
Dynamics Training for the
newly formed groups in
Jodiya, Sachana and Dhrol
Exposure Visit to Bhanwad Agri Mall and Bhatiya to see the Solar
Powered Shock Machine in Farms
Exposure Visits
Agriculture is the primary occupation in Jamnagar. Farmers in the area requested some help in setting
up a controlled environment for the purchase of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Previously, their
supplier, the Agri Shop, had been charging far over the odds for basic supplies, and creating a black
market during times of shortage.
An exposure visit to Bhanwand and Bhatiya in Jamangar district was duly organized, in which 11 farmers
participated. There is a local NGO dedicated to helping farming communities already working in the
region, called SAVA. The main aim of the exposure visit was to see the Agri Mall, which had been set up
over a year ago in Bhanwad. In Bhatiya, the recently installed Shock Machine was observed. It is
designed to protect farms from wild pigs and other pests, which can otherwise destroy crops by eating
or crushing them. The machine delivers a shock to any animals that stray into crop plantations, (but it
doesn’t harm them). It is solar powered, so people don’t need to bring the batteries home with them at
night for charging.
The farmers were quite excited to see both things, and were keen to replicate them in their own
regions. To help them achieve this, SSP created links between the owners of Agri Mall and the farmers.
According to the Agri Mall rules, farmers are obliged to pay Rs.1500/- to become members, and must be
at least 250 in number to qualify. Membership entitles them to a number of services, including a fair
price on quality seeds (around Rs.100-Rs.150 less than the market price). They are also able to access
pesticides and fertilizers at a nominal rate, by dealing directly with dealers rather than negotiating
through an intermediary. The total stock in the mall would be Rs. 800 per member, from the
membership fees which they had initially contributed. After the consultation meeting, the farmers
readily agreed to open up a mall at Amran, and a total of 236 members were enrolled from the
neighboring village. The mall was inaugurated on 26th
April, 2011 by the District Development Manager
of NABARD – Jamnagar.
Enhancing Awareness & Access to Health Services & Sanitation
The project also focused on
improving the health services and
sanitation facilities available in the
rural areas of villages of Kutch and
Jamnagar district, through the
women’s initiative.
Through women groups and SAHAS
committee at the block level,
members were motivated to
construct toilets. The aim was to
eliminate open defecation, which is
one of the primary causes of illness. It was unanimously decided by the members that a loan should be
negotiated to contribute toward the construction of toilets. The following table shows the loan provided
by the SAHAS to help the beneficiaries construct the toilets.
In Rapar, the activities were carried out with the collaboration of local PHCs, and administered by
women’s groups. The leaders were also involved in a sanitation campaign and vaccination program.
The staff and leaders were supported by the local government health department initiative, who helped
them to organize the health camps for women and children. This year alone, a total of 115 women
members and approximately 130 children’s were benefited by the camps.
Exposure Visits
The proposed construction of ECO-SAN toilets was
sanctioned by NABARD in one of the working areas of
Kutch. A group of 11 village members were involved in
an exposure visit to a village called Vankwad, Rajkot
Taluka, where SSP had overseen the construction of
toilets with the support of the fund Wherever the Need
(WTN). This helped to clear up any outstanding doubts
that village members may have had about the toilets. They observed how the waste material collected
from the toilets can be used as manure, reducing the dependence of villages on organic manure
purchased from outside the village. The members decided to go ahead with construction in their own
village, which would represent the first model of its kind in Kutch.
Capacity Building of Community Disaster Resilience
As a part of a campaign to improve the resilience of communities to disasters in Jamnagar district, SSP
has engaged in a number of activities to raise awareness and provide relevant training for local people.
Training Programs
The four day Advance Search and Rescue Program was conducted by the Fire Brigade in Jamanagar, in
which approximately 30 participants were present. The program was carried out by GSDMA trainer Mr.
Trilok Thakker, Mr. Maheshwari, Fire Brigade Jamnagar, 108 services, and DDMO Jamnagar. It focused
on search and rescue, water rescue, fire safety, first aid, and relief distribution.
A one day orientation workshop on School Safety was conducted jointly by SSP and GSDMA in Jodiya for
selected principals and teachers from coastal areas. The focus of the workshop was on how to best
protect schools during times of disaster. Contingency plans were discussed, and participants were
briefed in first aid and psychological aftercare for affected students.
Impact of SHGs – Through participation in SHGs, women are able to acquire greater awareness of the
issues affecting their communities, as well as developing their leadership abilities, decision making skills
and raising their status in society. SHG members’ participation in Panchayati Raj institutions and
contributions to gram sabhas has increased. Involvement in SHGs has also helped women to build up
savings and strengthen their relationship with government institutions. Approximately 1000 SHG
women have been linked to different government schemes.
Advance training on Search & Rescue, water rescue and first aid using local as well as latest techniques
Impact of Livelihood and Community Enterprise Development – Through EAP/EDP, need based training
is provided for SHG women in their IGA activities. SHG women have been involved in exposure visits,
workshops, market surveys and linkages with the government.
Impact of Health Services and Sanitation – Increased awareness among SHG women of their healthcare
rights has led to more thorough monitoring of the PHC/CHCs. Women have become involved in a variety
of ways, including overseeing the medicines available in local PHCs/CHC, checking midwife duties, and
the number of days spent by midwives in the villages, Anganwadi supervision, setting up need based
camps before or after the monsoon season and organizing special check up camps. As a result of these
activities, the general health of the SHG women has improved. Many members from women’s groups
have been inspired to become Government Ashas, so that they can extend the service that they provide.
Impact on Human Resource Development - SSP has undertaken a variety of different capacity building
training programs for its staff, including visits to different sites around Maharashtra.
SSP PROGRAMS IN WASHIM DISTRICT
SSP has developed a series of unique strategies to encourage self-employment for women in Washim.
These include a social enterprise schemes, the development of principled partnerships and the
promotion of economic leadership. The section below outlines the various programs that have been set
up and their impact.
Focus on Livelihoods and Credit through MF
96% of the MF portfolio for this district is dedicated toward improving women’s livelihood prospects.
• Access to credit in the non-farm sector has increased. Average incomes amongst those using the
loan for investment into social enterprise are Rs.3,467 higher than the incomes of women using
loans solely for consumption purposes.
• FGDs report that women have enhanced their business skills and financial and group management
skills as a result of involvement in microfinance initiatives.
• Women who received MF loans for enterprise reported an increase in expenditure, especially on
food, health, education and travel
• Access to insurance was the highest among groups that had taken MF loans for investment into
their livelihoods. Of the 36 women who reported having insurance, 13 had obtained it through the
MFI. SAST safeguards livelihoods of households where emergencies may otherwise wipe out their
capital base by reducing health expenditure and increasing access to health care.
• Overall, it is found that women who had taken MF loans to help improve their long-term income
prospects had improved standards of living.
Social networks of women and larger Institutions
SSP’s approach has been to increase investment in women leaders and village entrepreneurs, in the
hope that increased awareness on health, environment and energy issues will filter down to the
community at large. A unique feature of SSP is its capacity to promote principled partnerships with large
corporations, banks, insurance companies, NGOs and government institutions.
• The development of social networks has helped to improve healthcare and education for women in
Wasim and their children. 13,873 members of SAST have already made use of community health
programs. These schemes aim to strengthen partnerships with health care providers,
pharmaceutical companies and insurance agencies.
• SASK also encourages people to use public healthcare services, and ensure that they are fully aware
of their rights in that regard.
• SSP partners actively with the public health bodies on HIV/AIDS awareness, women’s health and the
task of making primary health centers accountable to poor communities.
• Health governance groups continue to actively monitor local institutions and promote health
awareness. By following a revenue model, SAST funds 175 Sakhis to promote good healthcare
practices and provide support for women to address other social issues.
• The choice of good-quality, environmentally friendly, products has increased, as evidenced by the
70,000 sales of Oorja stoves in areas where incidence of water-borne illnesses is very high. By
promoting energy conservation and the use of organic manure, Sakhi Retail encourages sustainable
farming, improving the health of the soil and increasing its long-term fertility, while simultaneously
producing nutritious vegetables. This practice is complemented by organic farming initiatives of a
federation of 500 women farmers. Awareness of environmental issues among 2,55,000 families in
the region has increased.
• Campaigns on social issues such as sanitation and alcoholism reported by federation leaders have
illustrated women’s ongoing participation in social issues.
• SSP has partnered with the government Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Universities and NABARD to obtain
recognition for female farmers, who can provide technical support regarding crop yield in
unfavorable conditions.
• SSK has built partnerships with banks, specifically public sector banks and agencies such as Milaap,
to obtain funds at lower interest rates. These partnerships have helped to tailor loan products for
agriculture innovations and short term working capital products for women entrepreneurs. SSK is in
the process of building new partnerships for creating loans for housing repair and new housing.
• SSP has a partnership with Don Bosco Tech (DB-Tech) India, to train youths and women and link
them to the industry and service sector. This should help to provide women with more choice over
their future, through improved access to social networks, credit and social capital.
Fostering Women’s Leadership
Through active outreach programs, women are able to help their communities access better healthcare.
Women who are actively engaged as Arogya Sakhis, field officers, health governance monitors and
community leaders show their collective support for SSP’s initiatives through melavas held annually,
which are attended by almost 2000 women.
The extent of women’s leadership is illustrated by the sheer volume of women who are mobilized:
• 61,454 are associated with SSP initiatives.
• 85,000 women are now using socially-responsible products (bio fuels, solar energy, safe water,
organic agriculture) that change their lives.
• 20,000 women and families have improved their health and social protection
• 300,000 women are receiving information about products and services, livelihood opportunities and
financial literacy.
Women leaders together with SSP play the roles of educators, promoters, monitors, innovators and
agents of change. Federations have reported that in several villages, women’s groups worked with their
local governments for total sanitation, organized campaigns on alcoholism and monitored ration shops
thereby promoting women’s involvement.
A fellowship by federations to support upcoming leaders has resulted in the formation of a grassroots
innovation lab. Women leaders form a peer cohort and take on localized innovations, with the support
of experienced federation leaders through regular visits and review meetings. Several emerging
innovations have been scaled up by women themselves through these cohorts. Encouraging women to
be innovative in the organic farming of vegetables is one such experiment that includes over 2,000
women farmers across two districts. Other women leaders took on the task of ensuring that their village
became 100% open defecation free.
Conferences Attended
Grassroots Women organize Self Help efforts to restore communities after the Haiti disaster
A Groots International team including Prema Gopalan, with over two decades combined experience in
designing and implementing a women-centered community approach, went to Haiti from 18th
to 24th
June, 2010 supported by the Huairou Commission. The team met with 95 women leaders in focused
group meetings in Port au Prince and Leogane, from 22 groups representing over 15,000 families.
During their visit, the team listened to women in affected communities speak about how the disaster
had impacted their daily lives, and the involvement of institutional actors – government and relief/aid
agencies. Two decades of experience in post earthquake recovery in Turkey, India, Jamaica and Peru,
amongst others, have taught Groots International that involving women in disaster relief and long term
planning hastens the pace of recovery while ensuring that communities receive the services that they
are entitled to.
The only signs of community gatherings were around market stalls
serviced by women. Stalls were set up in the only open spaces that
were left around the tents. Every morning and evening women
prepared and sold fresh home-cooked food and snacks. ‘It’s a service
for all the women who have to leave their homes to work in the
neighborhood’ said Selby, who ran her mother’s shop in the
Petonville Camp.
In all the tent camps visited, stories were heard of extraordinary courage from ordinary women who had
survived the disaster and lost everything they had; but felt a sense of duty to help others. In every camp,
there were sparks of hope - self help collectives that had sprouted after the disaster.
Innovation Workshop for Social Enterprises held in Mumbai from 26-28 August 2010
The objective of the Marico Innovation Foundation is to fuel innovation in India, by creating knowledge
and recognizing breakthrough innovations. The Foundation organized an Innovation Workshop for Social
Enterprises in August 2010. The purpose of this workshop was to encourage innovation in social
Women selling food in market
organizations, to increase their impact. Prema Gopalan attended as a speaker, and shared insights on
SSP’s journey from small NGO to creating Sakhi Retail, as well as grassroots entrepreneurship in rural
women. The feedback received from the participants indicated that the workshop was engaging and
likely to inspire positive changes in the organizations present.
6th International Microinsurance Conference 2010
Prema and Naseem also attended the 6th International Microinsurance Conference 2010 and the 3rd
Microinsurance Innovation Forum held from 8th
to 11th
November, 2010 at Manila, Philippines.
Field visit to Manila Based Organizations
On 12th
and 13th
November 2010, Naseem completed a field visit to
some Manila Based organizations - Damayan ng moralitag philipinog
Api Inc - solidarity of poor Philipinos (DAMPA), Community Organizers
Multiversity (COM), Damyanu of Homeowners Associations and the
Upper Nivasa Neighborhood Association (UNNA). The object of the
trip was to understand the structure of these organizations and the
nature of their work. Naseem shared the experience of SSP’s
Community Resilience Fund, along with other experiences in the
Leadership program, Community Health Fund, urban farming and self
help groups. She learned much from her visit about local fund mobilization, the use of funds for
community development programs and the distribution and sale of mineral water. The field
organizations hope to set up more exchanges between community women’s groups in India and Manila.
Women’s Day
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 8, 2011 (IPS) - Women from grassroots organizations all across the globe arrived
in New York for a five-day summit dedicated to bolstering female and community- based representation
at all levels of political decision making. Following on from this year’s Commission on the Status of
Women (CSW), the Grassroots Summit on Women’s Leadership and Governance, hosted by the Huairou
Commission, attracted individuals from a range of institutions, spanning village healthcare advocates to
international scholars.
The event offered a chance for participants to share local success stories and challenges, while creating
a platform for grassroots organizations to strengthen their partnerships with entities such as the newly
formed UN Women. Among the participants at the summit were Naseem Shaikh and Godavari Dange,
(Grassroots Leader) from Maharashtra.
Partnerships
Non-Profit
• Ashoka Foundation
• Covenant Centre for Development
• GROOTS International: SSP is a Founding and Steering Committee member
• Godrej India Pvt Ltd
• HDFC, SIDBI, Axis Bank and Bank of India for on-going capitalization of the SSK Micro-finance.
• Huairou Commission: SSP facilitates the Huairou Commission working group on Global Program on
Women and its Community Resilience Program
• Initiatives for Development through Participation of Marginalized Sections (IDPMS)
• Intellecap
• Knowledge Links
• Start Up!
• Tide Technocrats
• Uplift India Association
• Swath India Services
Funders
• American Jewish World Service
• ANZ
• Australian Aid
• AVERT Society
• CITIGROUP
• DRDA, Gujarat
• Ford Foundation
• Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society (MSACS)
• Avert Society
• GROOTS International
• Habitat for Humanity India Trust
• HIVOS Netherlands
• Huairou Commission
• International Labor Organization (ILO)
• iPartner India and The God My Silent Partner, UK
• Misereor, Germany
• NABARD, Gujarat
• Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust Project (NRTT)
• Sir Ratan Tata Trust
• The World Bank
SSP AUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST
MARCH, 2011