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| Happiness showered Geeta when Ajiwika tiptoed her life. |
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| For the marriage of her elder daughter Geeta mortgaged her 3 bigha (about 1 hect.) Land in the year `95 and took loan of Rs. 10,000 from a local moneylender @ 30% flat, p.a., along with the harvest from her irrigated land. For the first year every thing ran smoothly. But, the greedy moneylender started cheating when he saw the yield of her land, which was around 1600 kg, p.a. He manipulated the Accounts and told Geeta that till now she had not paid back her interest and her principal amount is still standing. He started humiliating her whenever he could get her in sight. In order to pay back the interest, both her sons worked for 5 years without any pay and for full 10 years her land was with the moneylender along with the yield. |
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| Worst was yet to come, it came shortly when one of her neighbor asked that why has she given her land and house on sale its better to sell her, and then she knew about the horrid plans of moneylender. After this she consulted her relatives in the nearby villages among them was a member of Ajiwika. She recommended her name to Vinay Sharma, then GSA and now Branch Manager and then he advised her to become member of SHG in her village. Geeta Devi is a resident of Trighunadih village of Chandan Block in Bihar. She got her first loan of Rs.8,000 @18% reducing, p.a. in the year `07. She paid it to moneylender. She already paid before Rs. 12,000 during this year from her own family earning. She had to buy back her own land, for this she paid over Rs.80,000 as interest during last ten years |
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| and also the yield, which was enjoyed by the moneylender. Initially, moneylender refused to give back her property; all the members of SHG created social pressure then finally had it back. |
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| Today she is quite happy and is busy in the preparation of her younger daughter's marriage. When asked by Mr. Sitaramrao during his visit to the group, that does she have any grudges for paying so high for her own land, she proudly says that she got her 'three bigha' land and sons back. Now she is getting more then 1600 kg rice as harvest from the land. |
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| Supporting Livelihood opportunities for Ultra-Poor |
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| Manjhladih, a remote village of Narayanpur block of Jamtara district was known only for unprivileged tribal community. These people remained in the Dark Ages. They remain untouched till 3 years ago. The 70 families of the village were very poor and most of them were illiterate. Household food security was the challenge for them. The source of income was subsistence Agriculture. Most of the villagers were migrating to nearby cities. Even though their earning was not enough to fulfill their daily needs. This is the scenario of typical Santhal village in this region. |
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| Slowly the picture is changing. Sun is rising in the east. Peoples are are recognizing their dignity. These changes are not less than a miracle. This became possible due to the intervention of AJIWIKA in the village. |
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| Chotelal the GSA of Ajiwika, observing the scenario of the community, identified the village with his Branch Manager for intervention. Ajiwika who is committed for the un-reached people did a small need assessment study. The community was having an old skill of bamboo craft. It was decided with the community that this could be a livelihood opportunity for these tribal families. The raw materials were identified locally. Ajiwika arraigned technical skill training and supported with financial assistance for Basket making. The community was having the human resource, Skill was provided by the organization and the village SHG was there to provide the finance. The SHG was lacking money so they approached AJIWIKA and it was arraigned. This trio worked together to bring the ‘Sun Rise’. |
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Ajiwika not only saw the seed but also help them to get rid of Moneylender. The Moneylenders were changing Rs 15/- per Month with mortgage on their side. Ajiwika strengthen these people specially and also educated them. As the literacy level reached to 40% compare to mere 2 % earlier, Ajiwika also taught women to come out to face difficulty with bravery. AJIWIKA facilitated formation of four SHGs in the village namely – MARANGBURU SHG, CHANDUBABA SHG, AMRATAND SHG and SURSAPAHRI SHG altogether with 45 members. There is a JLG in the village with 12 member. AJIWIKA has extended a total loan amount of Rs. 6,43,000/- in this village. Now Sun is rising in the East for these tribal households. |
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Tahira's Dream Came true |
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Taira Khatoon of chandwari village of Madhupur Branch is true example of life standard change taking place due to Ajiwika's timely help to the client. Taira Khatoon mother of five children was finding difficult to run her family due to pressure building on her because of increase expenditure. She was in deep trouble as her husband is a hawker with small capital and his entire income was not enough to feed the family. Seeing this plight position she thought of starting a variety shop. To realize her dream to start a variety, she needed finance. So she started visiting bank but bank said ‘no' to her because she wasn't able to produce needed guarantee for her. Then she went to moneylender, but here also she got a bad response as the moneylender was charging RS. 15/month interest and with loan guarantee which she said to unable to cope up. |
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Then she came to know about AJIWIKA’s loan for such women. She met with the GSA, who explained her about the procedure and the group guarentee of similer needy women,. The loan process of Ajiwika with service at door facility, attracted many of her neighborhoods. She took first loan of Rs 9000/- from Ajiwika, which was enough to run her variety shop very well. She says that Ajiwika’s financial support was just like inducting blood into her body. She retired the entire loan on time and took 15,000/- rupee to purchase a sewing machine and some cloths. She makes some garments for her husband to hawk.Today she is running her business very well and generating income between Rs 3500/- to Rs 4500/- per month. Now her family standard got improved as she is supporting her family with additional income. With the income she generates helped her to send her children and now she as a big dream for |
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her family to be realized. |
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… dreams come true |
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Safiran Bibi`s name is taken with great respect in the nearby villages of Navadih. She is a lady of strong will and determination, with her belief and hard work she is the owner of bakery house and provides employment to others. |
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One and a half year back she was not in a position to meet her both ends. Her husband used to sell bakery products in the local trains, bought from the suppliers. The margin, which he earned, was very meager as compared to his hard work, around Rs.1500-1800 monthly. She also used to do household works at her neighbors to earn the living. |
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Both of them worked together to make the condition better, but in vain. Then Safiran advised her husband to have there own bakery unit, instead of selling it in local trains, they can sell it in local shops and to vendors. To make this dream come true the major obstacles were ‘Capital’ and ‘Skill’. They consulted their friends and relatives about this. They were a bit hesitant to advise it as they thought that initial capital would be also asked from them. |
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When they moved more into it they faced lots of problem in availing funds as banks refused to lend small amount of Rs.10,000 and also asked seed money of 25% and a guarantor, which they were not having. The moneylenders used to ask heavy rate of interest ranging from 6% to 10% flat per month, also they asked their only piece of land as mortgage. |
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In the meanwhile our GSA, Kamdev Mandal explored that area, and his first client was Safiran Bibi and her group. Her first loan with AJIWIKA was of Rs. 10,000/-. Along with her saving she started her own bakery house, initially she had few hiccups in her business, but slowly she learned and now her business is flourishing. Now her monthly margin is 10,000. |
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When asked that how does she feel, she beams with pride while answering that now she is helping others in making living of other people. |
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