Self-help group in Ganj
The women of the four home-stay families and six others are members of this group. They meet once a month to discuss issues affecting them and have succeeded in getting the municipality to improve water supply and waste collection in the neighbourhood. At these meetings, each member contributes Rs.50 to a common pool. Part of these savings is used as an emergency fund that can be borrowed by any of them if three other members agree. Some of them have used this to pay for medical care or repair of their homes. The rate of interest they have fixed among themselves is 2% per month - this compares favourably with the rate of 5% per month usually charged by money lenders. What is not lent out is deposited in a bank account in the name of the group. Once they have enough capital, they will be able to start a small business together.
