As a result of the Deal Foundation’s community organization and development initiatives aimed at creating livelihoods for families of persons with disabilities and women, self-help groups for both women and persons with disabilities are being established.
Women and persons with disabilities in rural areas aspire to participate in livelihood and income-generating opportunities to support their families. The Deal Foundation ensures equal participation, free from gender and disability biases, empowering them to progress in every field.
As a result, women and self-help groups for persons with disabilities have been formed. The Deal Foundation has provided livelihood training in dairy farming, kumkum production, beekeeping, and other self-employment skills, helping them achieve financial stability. Likewise, Livelihood Officers are actively working in every taluk to support these initiatives.
After forming the self-help group, the women began engaging in employment following their training. Veena Shakhanavar, the Livelihood Officer of Gadag Taluk, brought together women from Kotumachagi village and informed them about the initiatives of the Deal Foundation. She also explained the benefits of self-help groups and various government schemes. The women agreed and decided to form a self-help group. A total of 12 women came together to establish the ‘Hombelaku Mahila Self-Help Group.’ They opened an account at KVG Bank and started saving ₹200 per month.
Later, Veena provided the group with Disability Awareness Training (2016), Book Writing Training, and Leadership Training. Additionally, Shivakumar Shiroli, the Training Coordinator of the Deal Foundation, visited the group to conduct Financial Literacy Training. He also shared insights on employment opportunities and discussed potential career options based on the interests of the group members.
When the members discussed their preferred occupations, they expressed interest in dairy farming, the roti business, and sheep rearing. Based on this, after six months, they collectively decided to apply for a bank loan and continue pursuing their chosen occupations.
During their discussion on preferred occupations, the members expressed interest in dairy farming, the roti business, and sheep rearing. Based on this, after six months, they collectively decided to apply for a bank loan and pursue their chosen occupations.
Six months after the formation of the group, Veena discussed the possibility of applying for a bank loan with the members. Accordingly, they prepared all the necessary documents and submitted their loan application to KVG Bank. However, the bank informed them that the loan would only be sanctioned after one year. In response, the members deliberated among themselves and decided to utilize their savings to take loans and start their businesses in the meantime. Some members withdrew loans from their savings and began engaging in agriculture-related occupations.
After one year, Veena once again submitted the loan application to the bank along with all the members’ documents. This time, the bank sanctioned a loan of ₹1,00,000. Five members of the group utilized the loan: Shankravva Sintalakeri took ₹20,000 to purchase a cow and started a dairy business, providing a stable source of income for her family. Najma Vaddatti took ₹50,000 for agriculture and is now actively engaged in farming. Akkamma Mudhol took ₹10,000 to start a goat-rearing business, while Gouravva Mangalagatti also took ₹20,000 to invest in goat rearing.
In this way, all the members of the group have continued to progress in their respective businesses. They expressed their gratitude for the support received from the Deal Foundation, saying, ‘We are happy to see an organization working for persons with disabilities. Later, when we realized that women could also receive opportunities, we formed this group with Veena’s support, which has been highly beneficial for us. Additionally, saving money has provided financial security during difficult times. By taking loans through the group and pursuing our chosen businesses, we have proven that women can achieve anything when given the opportunity. This initiative has significantly improved our families’ financial stability. On behalf of all the group members, we sincerely thank the Deal Foundation and Veena for their invaluable support. We request the foundation to continue identifying and assisting more women like us in the future.
In this way, the Deal Foundation is empowering women and persons with disabilities by recognizing and nurturing their hidden talents. By providing essential resources and training, the foundation is helping them showcase their skills and gain recognition in society. Everyone hopes that the Deal Foundation will continue its efforts to support all women and persons with disabilities in Gadag Taluk, further expanding its impact and earning even greater recognition for its remarkable work.
For any specific questions related to this blog or any assistance, please contact Info@deal-foundation.com. To learn more about the work we do, visit www.deal-foundation.com.
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