In a small village in Karnataka, a group of women came together to form a self-help group (SHG) promoted by the Belgaum Diocesan Social Service Society (BDSSS) under Caritas India’s U3 program. The SHG aimed to strengthen the economic situation of its members and promote sustainable livelihoods in the community through a collective venture.

With the support of Caritas India under the U3 program, the Shree Laxmi SHG started off well and began functioning effectively by holding monthly meetings and started savings. The members of the SHG received capacity-building training from the BDSSS on Documentation, SHG management, management of books of accounts, leadership, social analysis, Grama Sabha, Ward Sabha, Government Schemes, Seed banking, Entrepreneurship Development Program, Poultry farming, Animal husbandry, organic farming, People Led Development Approach, Nutritious Gardening, Personality Development for strengthening and sustainability of the group.
As the SHG grew stronger, it began inter-loaning and providing microcredit to its members for self-employment activities, education, etc for an amount of Rs 90,000/-. The SHG also has a saving of Rs 72,000/- through the contribution of Rs. 100/- per month by every member.

SHG’s aspiration to upscale and succeed was realized after being registered under SANJEEVINI – Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (KSRLPS). SANJEEVINI aims to effectively implement poverty reduction and livelihood promotion programs and support SHGs for inclusive growth. It reaches to reach out to rural poor working through self-managed Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and federated institutions and supports them for livelihoods collectives.

The vision of KSRLPS is to act as a catalyst/facilitator for SHGs to borrow large amounts from formal financial institutions for livelihoods and consumption. Funding the poor is a risky proposition by the banks; one of the reasons for the situation is the lack of effective credit delivery mechanisms for the poor, besides limited outreach & coverage. It is in this context that NRLM has taken up the task of promoting Financial Inclusion of the rural poor. That is delivery of financial services to the rural poor at an affordable cost for poverty reduction and sustainable development. SHG Bank linkage program is taken as the key strategy for the delivery of financial services to the poor in a sustainable manner.

The SHG received a loan of Rs 3, 25,000/- from SANJEEVINI to start a nursery, which would enhance their livelihoods and provide a sustainable source of income. Few of the members visited nearby nurseries in Alnavar, Dharwad and Hubballi areas to get acquainted with the function and scope of work.

With the support of the loan, the SHG spent Rs 38,000/- to purchase seeds of papaya, lemon, drumstick, curry leaf, coconut, and mango along with fertilizers, pots, and other necessary required items for the nursery. Benachi Grama Panchayat has given them space to put up the nursery.

Today, the SHG is a shining example of women’s empowerment and community development. The members of the SHG have become role models in their village and have inspired other women to come forward and form SHGs.

The SHG members are confident about the success of the business venture. The Grama Panchayats have taken a keen interest in promoting nutritious gardening in each family using the saplings from the nursery.

“I am very happy with the way SHG members are cooperating with each other for the effective functioning of this nursery. Our SHG has taken on such a venture for the first time. I believe that nursery will grow fast and we will develop it further in a few years,” says Shobha, a member of the SHG.

Saroja, another member expressed that they are planning to have some discussions with the Horticulture Department to explore the possibility of having a business.
The journey of this SHG is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of community development. Through their hard work and dedication, the members of the SHG have transformed their lives and the lives of those around them.

The story of this SHG is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when people come together to work toward a common goal. The SHG’s success has been built on the foundation of capacity building, inter-loaning, and access to credit and support from government and non-governmental organizations. The SHG’s success has also attracted the attention of many who are interested in joining and supporting sustainable development and women’s empowerment. This SHG is a shining example of what can be achieved with determination, hard work, and support from the community.