Deal Foundation continues its impactful work across the 7 taluks of Gadag district, driving positive change through various initiatives. Here’s a look at the key activities that took place in September.
Formation of Self-Help Groups for Disabled Persons and Women
In September, the foundation successfully formed 11 new self-help groups (SHGs) in Gadag, Mundaragi, and Shirahatti taluks, encompassing a total of 112 members. Additionally, 3 Mahila Self-Help Groups were formed, involving 30 women. These groups aim to access bank loans to support self-employment opportunities, such as dairy farming, goat rearing, and other livelihood activities.
Here are some of the new SHGs formed:
- Daneshwari Mahila Self-Help Sangh, Lakshmeshwar Taluk
- Pandit Puttaraja Gavai Vikal Chetanara Self-Help Society, Kotbala Taluk Rona
- Udbhavamurthi Vikalchethanar Self-Help Society, Hosalli Taluk Rona
- Shree Basaveshwar Vikalchethanar Swasaha Sangh, Hosalli Taluka Rona
- Puttaraja Gawai Handicapped Self-Help Society, Hireha Taluk Rona
- Spurti Vikalcheat Self-Help Society, Gadag Taluk
- Satyamma Devi Vikalachetan Self-Help Society, Hatalageri Taluka Gadag
- Beeralingeshwar Handicapped Self-Help Society, Hatalageri Taluka Gadag
- Saraswati Handicapped Self-Help Society, Shivajinagar Taluk, Shirahatti
- Shri Krishna Tulsi Mahila Sangh, Magadi Taluk Shirahatti
- Anushree Mahila Self-Help Society, Magadi Taluk Shirahatti
Bank Linkage and Financial Inclusion for Disabled People
To enhance financial inclusion, a total of 5 SHGs across Shirahatti, Naragunda, and Mundaragi taluks have opened savings accounts with Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank and Canara Bank. These accounts enable smoother financial transactions and access to bank loans.
The SHGs linked include:
- Nisarga Mahila Self-Help Society, Shirahatti
- Kottur Basaveshwar Vikalchethan Self-Help Society, Akkigunda Taluk Lakshmeshwar
- Asare Vikalchethanar Swasaha Sangh, Kallur Taluk Lakshmeshwar
- Pandit Puttaraja Vikalchetana Self-Help Sangha, Kotabala Taluka Rona
- Puttaraja Gavai Handicapped Self-Help Society, Niralagi Taluk Gadag
Loan Disbursements and Economic Empowerment
In Shirahatti and Mundaragi taluks, 50 people with disabilities received bank loans in September, enabling them to start or expand various livelihood activities.
Meetings and Training Sessions
- A board meeting was held at the Secured Credit Cooperative Society, Mevundi, where current and upcoming activities were discussed.
- Leadership and skills development training were conducted for disabled group members in Naragunda, Shirahatti, and Mundaragi. Training included entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, and sustainable livelihood skills.
- Self-help societies in Shiratti taluk were visited by MSW students from RDPR University to understand ongoing work.
Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Support
The foundation continued its commitment to sustainable agriculture with initiatives like:
- Vermiculture: Earthworm manure production at the Deal Foundation’s facility, with the manure used across three acres of land. Training on vermiculture was also provided to SHGs.
- The Eco Samridhi Farmers Producers Company hosted its Annual General Meeting in September, attended by about 100 shareholders, including the directors, chairman, and Deal Foundation staff.
Sewing Training for Disabled Families
The Mevundi Tailoring Unit, a sewing training center, continues to empower disabled families and women with vocational skills. This initiative has been ongoing for four years.
Upcoming Initiatives for October
- -Formation of 20 new SHGs involving 200 persons with disabilities.
- -Bank linkage for 10 SHGs to facilitate loans and financial services.
- -Capacity building and livelihood training for 20 groups.
- -Ongoing sewing training and garment-making services at Mevundi.
- -Expansion of vermiculture initiatives.
- -Recruitment of 250 new members for the Farmer Producers Company.
- -Awareness training for 10 groups across various taluks.
- -Continued activities at the Aramba Self Employed Center (ASK Center), with plans to establish an office at Rona.
- -Preliminary meetings for registering district cooperative work with taluks excluding Mundaragi.