The White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

Project present by NARI JAGRAN MANCH in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India

TITLE OF THE PROJECT: Community Animators as Women Entrepreneurs

BACKGROUND:

Bodh Gaya is the world in a nut-shell. Tourists and pilgrims interested in Buddhism visit this place especially in the winter months. The town becomes a market-place : rival commercial interests dominate the scene. As always the "losers" are the dalit castes who live in interior villages or on the margins of the town and market. They are the landless, cheap labour force and their main concern is survival.

The women in these communities are the most disadvantaged : economically, socially and politically. Our Women’s Rights Organisation, (Nari Jagran Manch or Forum For Women’s Awakening) works for women from this class.

There is a vibrant program of micro-finance / micro-enterprise taking shape in the women’s groups. Small economic gains bring hope, courage and confidence into their lives. This program is supported with different capacity building sessions on political participation, health-care, finance-management, leadership and women’s rights.
The progressive transformation of attitudes and behaviour patterns is a clear indication of the relevance of the program.

A NEW INTERVENTION

The Project under consideration is visualized as a break-through as regards the role of women in the traditional livelihood patterns of village communities. 5 women leaders/ community animators at the field level will engage in independent businesses. They will be role models for a life-style marked by self-reliance and right livelihood.

THE OBJECTIVES

The enhanced economic status and their influence as entrepreneurs will have a powerful effect ­ especially in a male-dominated , traditional rural context. The enterprise will serve as a model for hundreds of economically deprived women in the area. Many will learn from this experience and new skills will be developed. A pattern could emerge for simple village-based sustainable livelihoods ­ to question the market-driven culture of the town.

ACTIVITIES

The 5 women concerned have presented the following concrete plans:

1. Start a small tailoring unit in an interior village with sewing machines. There will be classes in tailoring, embroidery and knitting. The sale of garments and the fees charged for the classes will ensure continuity and it will answer a felt need of the rural community.
   
2. Start a mini-co-operative of cycle-rickshaws. The rickshaws will be given out on hire. This is a very convenient, non-polluting means of transport in the town. There is a good demand for rickshaws with so many tourists coming in.
3. Same as 2 above
4. Rent out telas ( an open cart with 2 wheels and drawn by a cycle). These serve as mobile shops to sell food stuff, peanuts, fruit and vegetables. Good income potential in the winter months.
5. Start organic farming on small plots of land and market organically grown vegetable and fruit. Other women with small plots could also pick up the skills.

CAPACITY BUILDING

These women along with their friends from the villages will be trained in the needed skills : financial management, marketing techniques, organic farming, leadership in the community.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

In each case the gains will be very evident. Our usual method of visits and conversations will provide a good picture. We will request the Bodh Gaya JIVAN SANGAM or the Bihar Social Institute (Patna) ­ for expert help in guiding and evaluating the program.

BUDGET PROPOSED Each of the women entrepreneurs could receive a one-time only grant of RUPEES 30,000.
This could be given over a period of 2 years
Total 30,000 x 5 = Rs 150,000

Costs for training/capacity building = Rs 800 per month on an average

Total for 2 years = 800 x 24 = Rs 19,200

TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED = Rs 169,200. (The Universal Currency Converter Services .)

Respecfully and gratefully submitted:

Nari Jagran Manch or Forum For Women’s Awakening

Please enter under special instructions: NJM when making your donation. Thank you.