The Deal Foundation is working in every taluk for the welfare of persons with disabilities. Accordingly, they have appointed mentors, called Livelihood Officers, who identify persons with disabilities, provide them with motivation, and help them understand that disability is not a limitation but a Livelihood Officers instill the mindset that anything can be achieved despite disability. Similarly, the Deal Foundation provides training to persons with disabilities and has started self-employment centers in every taluk where interested persons with disabilities can start their own businesses. Additionally, they can also sell their products through a website called Jeevan Cart. Furthermore, to make more loan facilities accessible to persons with disabilities, the Foundation has started a District-level Protection Disabled Credit Cooperative Society. Thus, the Deal Foundation has provided many opportunities to persons with disabilities, who are now actively engaged in self-employment by utilizing these opportunities. One such inspiring person is Yallappa Gowda.
Looking at his childhood, Yallappa Gowda is originally from Konnuru village in Nargund taluk. His father’s name is Beemanagouda and his mother’s name is Parvati. He has one elder brother and one younger sister, and they lived together as a family. From birth, he had a disability—both of his ears were deaf. He studied only up to the 4th grade in school. Due to poverty at home and his disability, there was a lot of distress in the family. Because of this, he went to live at his grandmother’s house, where he worked in the fields and continued to make a living.
Thus, Yallappa Gowda grew up at his grandmother’s house, bought a cow, and started a dairy farming business. Later, he got married and lived happily with his small family, including two children. His wife worked in the Panchayat. Around the same time, Sangeetha, the Livelihood Officer of Nargund taluk, visited the Konnuru Panchayat VRW (Village Revenue Worker) and provided information about the Deal Foundation. Yallappa Gowda met Sangeetha and shared about his disability. In response, Sangeetha gave information about the facilities available to persons with disabilities and about self-help groups. Following that, they organized and formed a self-help group by bringing together the persons with disabilities in the area. Yallappa Gowda is also a representative in that group. The group was named “Sri Banashankari Devi Viklachetana Swasahaya Sangha” and opened an account in the KVG Bank. All the members contribute a monthly savings amount of 100 rupees and are steadily building the group.
Later, Sangeetha provided the group with training in book writing, disability awareness in 2016, and financial leadership. She also gave information about the various benefits available from many different government departments.
After these trainings, all the members became interested in starting employment. Among them, Yallappa Gowda had significant experience in dairy farming and was keen to increase milk production on a larger scale. However, he lacked the necessary capital. To support him, Sangeetha arranged a bank loan of ₹40,000 through the SELCO Foundation, and with additional loan support from their group’s savings, Yallappa Gowda expanded his dairy farming business and progressed in his employment.
Thus, Yallappa Gowda sells between 10 to 15 liters of milk daily in his dairy business and is making progress in his economic life. He is establishing himself in society, proving that persons with disabilities are no less than anyone else. Moreover, Yallappa Gowda is a shareholder in the Protection Disabled Credit Cooperative Society. Through this, he is able to access more loan facilities in the future and is achieving his goals.
Thus, Yallappa Gowda continues in his business, repaying his loans regularly without any outstanding dues. He acknowledges the support of the Deal Foundation in this journey. He shares his opinion about the organization, saying that he feels proud to be a member of this foundation. The foundation works for persons with disabilities by identifying them, providing training, and helping them get employed. This has brought light to the lives of many disabled individuals like him. Since the group was formed, saving money has been helpful during difficult times. Also, banks typically do not approve loans for persons with disabilities, but because of the group formation, they are able to access loan facilities, making it easier to engage in employment. He extends his heartfelt thanks to the Deal Foundation and to Sangeetha for providing all these facilities. He requests that they continue to offer even more support to identify and nurture persons with disabilities like him.
In this way, the Deal Foundation has been instrumental in helping persons with disabilities lead self-reliant lives. However, many more people with disabilities are still deprived of such opportunities. It is our hope that these individuals are identified and nurtured, and that the reputation of the Deal Foundation continues to grow.
For any specific questions related to this blog or if you need any assistance, please contact us at Info@deal-foundation.com. To learn more about our work, please log in to www.deal-foundation.com.
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