Today’s society faces many forms of discrimination and disadvantages across various spheres. Disability is a significant factor contributing to poverty, with a large portion of the disabled population living below the poverty line. In such a society, individuals with disabilities encounter numerous challenges and often experience discrimination. To combat this, the Deal Foundation is working to raise awareness about the issues faced by people with disabilities, aiming to enlighten their lives and help remove the negative perceptions surrounding them.
In addition, the Deal Foundation is providing training to individuals with disabilities and women to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities and improve their economic well-being by forming self-help groups. In every taluk, the workers of the Deal Foundation are collaborating with people with disabilities and women, encouraging them to join and actively participate in self-help groups.
The ‘Navachetana Mahila Swasahay Sangh’ in Sogihala village, Lakshmeshwar taluk, is one such self-help society. Virupaksha, the livelihood officer of Lakshmeshwar taluk, visited Sogihala village on behalf of the Deal Foundation to learn more about the society. He first informed the VRWs about the activities of the Deal Foundation and obtained their consent to visit the homes of people with disabilities. Virupaksha visited every house of differently-abled individuals in the village, providing information about the Deal Foundation and the concept of self-help societies. As a result, those interested formed a Self-Help Society. With Virupaksha’s support, ten women came together to establish the ‘Nava Chetana Mahila Self-Help Society’ and opened an account at KCC Bank. The members of the society decided to contribute ₹500 each month towards savings.”
After the formation of the association, Virupaksha provided book writing training, leadership training, and 2016 disability awareness training to the members. Six months later, during their monthly meetings, all the members discussed applying for a loan from the association to start employment. The members are successfully managing the association without any hindrance.
Six months after the formation of the association, all the members visited the bank and submitted an application for a loan. However, KCC Bank informed them that loans would be granted only after one year of the association’s formation. In the meantime, the members decided that something should be done, so they agreed to use their savings to provide loans within the group. Those in urgent need took the internal loan first. Among them, Renuka Patil took an internal loan of ₹10,000 for sheep farming, which has helped her family. Similarly, Pushpa Oli took a loan of ₹15,000 to open a grocery store and is improving her financial situation by working from home.
Thus, she is repaying the loan properly without any arrears. After repaying her loan, Netra Patil, one of the members, received a loan of ₹25,000 for dairy farming and is now employed. Jyoti Kumbara took a loan of ₹40,000, which she is using for farming and purchasing sheep. Over the past two years, all the members have taken loans from their internal savings and are engaged in various forms of employment. As a result, their association has become a model for women seeking support for their families.
The members of Navchetana Mahila Sangh have set an example for society, showing that when women are given the opportunity, they can achieve great things. Recognizing their progress, the Deal Foundation organizes the Swavalambane Award program every year to honor women with disabilities. This year, the self-help society that has excelled in economic employment was also recognized and awarded. Among the nominees, the Nava Chetana Mahila Self-Help Society from Lakshmeshwar taluk was selected for the third prize, receiving ₹10,000. The Deal Foundation organizes this program with the goal of encouraging more women and helping them achieve economic growth.
Women are supporting their families by receiving training from the Deal Foundation and engaging in employment. The members of the association shared their views about the Deal Foundation, which has contributed to all of this. We noticed that it is the first organization working for the economic development of disabled individuals and women. We decided to participate and take advantage of this opportunity, forming a Self-Help Society with the help of Virupaksha from the Deal Foundation. Even saving a small amount has helped us in difficult times. Through the formation of this association, we are receiving information from many departments and loans at low interest rates. We are running the association with our savings, and through various training programs, we are engaged in self-employment, which has been helpful for our families. As our association has been recognized and encouraged, our interest in working has grown. On behalf of all the members of our association, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Deal Foundation and Virupaksha for their continued support and cooperation.
Thus, the Deal Foundation is providing equal opportunities not only to disabled individuals but also to women, helping them gain recognition in society. Many disabled people and women are supporting the organization of the Deal Foundation. As a result, all the disabled individuals and women are hopeful that the Deal Foundation will achieve even greater success in the future.
For any specific queries or any assistance regarding this blog please contact info@deal-foundation.com and log on to www.deal-foundation to know more about the work we do.
thank you