The Deal Foundation continues its mission to empower women and persons with disabilities through economic development and self-reliance initiatives. By setting clear objectives, the foundation aims to achieve substantial progress. Key efforts include awareness training, community sensitization, baseline surveys, livelihood training, and the establishment of self-employment centers. The foundation also emphasizes the formation of self-help groups (SHGs) for differently-abled individuals and women, supported by Livelihood Officers working in every taluk.
The goals are to establish bank and market linkages, form farmers’ producer companies, and create cooperative societies at the taluk and district levels. In its pursuit of empowering persons with disabilities, the foundation conducted comprehensive surveys to identify individuals needing support and informed them about available training programs and resources.
Among these initiatives, the Tulsi Vikalchethanara Swasahaya Sangha in Gadag taluk serves as a prime example of the foundation’s success in empowering differently-abled individuals.
Formation and Development of the Tulsi Vikalchethanar Self-Help Society
Veena Shakhanavar, a Lovely Wood Officer in Gadag taluk, led efforts to identify and engage differently-abled individuals by conducting surveys across various village panchayats. She worked closely with Village Resource Workers (VRWs) to spread awareness about the Deal Foundation’s initiatives, encouraging individuals to join self-help societies and pursue employment opportunities.
Veena collaborated with officials from Drunkunda Patna Panchayat to gather selected individuals with disabilities, providing them with information on their conditions, government facilities, and the benefits of forming a self-help society. Inspired by this outreach, ten disabled individuals came together to establish the “Tulsi Vikalachetana Swasahay Sangha,” opening a bank account at KVG Bank and committing to monthly deposits.
Training and Empowerment Initiatives
The Deal Foundation provided the newly-formed society with essential training, including:
- Disability Awareness Training
- Bookkeeping and Financial Management Training
- Leadership Skills Development
- Employment Training
These initiatives empowered members to take proactive steps toward improving their financial independence. Determined to relieve their families of financial burdens, the society members began pursuing various entrepreneurial activities with support from their families and the foundation.
Inspiring Stories of Economic Empowerment
The members of Tulsi Vikalchethanar Self-Help Society are engaged in various income-generating activities:
- Mansoorabi Karnachi, a member with physical disabilities, runs a small grocery store from her home with the support of her mother and elder brother.
- Asma Lada Saab Navar and Reshme Lada Saab Navar, two sisters with physical disabilities, help their father with the family business by packaging and selling long sticks to local shops.
- Parijan Kallanavara, who has a physical disability, sells flowers from home, while Parida Begum, who is visually impaired, sews and sells door curtains.
These examples illustrate the members’ determination to become financially independent, proving that disabilities do not limit their potential.
Plans for Expansion and Future Growth
The Tulsi Vikalchethanar Self-Help Society aims to expand its entrepreneurial activities but requires additional capital for growth. The society members, eager to achieve financial independence, have applied for a bank loan to fund small business ventures. With Veena’s assistance, they have submitted a loan application and anticipate receiving funds soon. The members are committed to starting businesses that will help them further support their families and secure their livelihoods.
Acknowledgments and the Impact of the Deal Foundation
Members of the Tulsi Vikalchethanar Self-Help Society have expressed their gratitude to the Deal Foundation for its unwavering support. Before the foundation’s involvement, many families viewed disabilities with resignation, believing nothing could be done. Veena’s work with the Deal Foundation provided a new path, offering training, job inspiration, and a way to form a self-help society.
Today, society members are recognized within their communities, and their families are proud of their achievements. The members remain committed to working towards the prosperity of persons with disabilities, and they credit the Deal Foundation for changing their lives.
The Deal Foundation remains dedicated to supporting the financial well-being of disabled individuals across every taluk by providing training and livelihood opportunities. The foundation’s impact continues to grow, bringing hope and progress to more lives.
For inquiries or further information regarding this case study, please contact the Deal Foundation at info@deal-foundation.com. Learn more about our work at www.deal-foundation.com.