With the outbreak of Covid-19 and the subsequent nationwide lockdown, daily wage earners have been struggling to survive, with many facing starvation.
Ambuja Foundation's Village Functionary staff member Neetu Dhruw in Chhattisgarh, a Sahyogini, heard about the SAHAYA loan from Union Bank, which provided women belonging to SHGs with a loan of Rs. 5000. This was a ray of hope, and with guidance from Sahyogini and Ambuja Foundation, 10 SHG groups applied and brainstormed ways to use the funds to generate income.
Success followed: Union Bank granted loans to 52 members (Rs. 5000 each) across 6 groups. Out of these, 21 members started backyard vegetable production (called a 'Wadi'), earning Rs. 500–800 weekly by selling produce in local markets.
Additionally, 5 members opened small grocery shops, and some started making face masks for the Gram Panchayat and Janpad Panchayat, earning Rs. 11,000 from masks made at a cost of Rs. 5000.
Through similar loan systems, SHGs in other Ambuja Foundation locations received support:
- 3 SHGs from Sankrail received Rs. 1.8 lakh each
- 6 SHGs from Kodinar received Rs. 14 lakhs from Kodinar Taluka Co-operative Bank
- 9 SHGs linked in Roorkee for credit
- 1 SHG from Chandrapur received Rs. 3 lakhs for seed and fertilizer support
- 10 SHGs from Dadri received Rs. 20 lakhs
- 5 SHGs from Bhatapara received Rs. 2 lakhs each
- 15 SHGs received Rs. 7 lakhs each for seed and fertilizer support in Chandrapur
Under Process:
- 26 SHGs from Chandrapur to receive Rs. 1 lakh each
- 16 SHGs under process in Darlaghat
- 4 SHGs under process in Ropar
