Microcredit group and website updates

I'm back at it again quickly after my previous long hiatus. This will be a short post, however.

I just wanted to have a post updating you about the current size of our micro-credit program, since it's recently expanded. Here is a table summarizing all of the groups we are currently operating and the amount of loans that have been taken out in each group:

There is a lot of information in this table, so I'll point out a few features. We have the total number of loans given, which for some of our older groups you can see is quite large. We also have the total amount loaned in the last column (in Rupees), which is also significant for our older groups. For reference, it takes a few thousand rupees to buy each of fertilizer, specialized seeds, and goats. So, this table really tells you that our program is working very well, with many people taking loans, most likely for the aforementioned agricultural purposes. Also, you can see that the majority of our groups are for women. As is well-documented in this blog and on our website, we believe that these groups are crucial for women as a vehicle of social change, empowering them as economic actors and decision-makers in their households. So, we are happy with the progress shown in the above table. Note that we do allow the groups for men as well because that can provide concrete economic benefit as well. Our main focus is on women, however. I'm very happy with this table! We will continue to work to expand and develop this work, improving our services in whatever ways we can. We also plan on passing control of these groups over to the women within a few years, once they are comfortable with the administration. All in due time.

In case you forgot, here's some of the women who have taken loans from us, along with the product of their loans:

A women in Kukrella who has taken a loan to buy a goat. The milk will be used in the family or sold.

A women in Barwara who has taken a loan to buy fertilizer for her millet, or bajra, crops. They grew nicely. The millet harvest was harvested in October. Villagers use millet to make bread and as a feed for livestock. It is a crucial crop in rural Rajasthan. Notice in her left hand the pink booklet. It is the booklet where they record their monthly contributions to the group's central fund as well as details about loans they take and pay back. 

A women in Barwara, also in her millet field. Notice the pink booklet here as well. 

While we are on numbers, I would just like to mention that we will again be operating summer computer education groups in 5 villages, with 1 village also serving as a pilot for our village information center model. If last year is an indication, then the groups will have at least 20-25 students in the classes. We look forward to seeing all of our students progress this summer.

For those interested in India, right now is the time of the harvest of mustard, wheat, and chickpeas (or surso, gehu, and chana in hindi) in Rajasthan. These are all critical crops in the area for eating, for giving to livestock, for selling, etc. I always mention things like this because this is one reason why our staff is so good at what they do: they are farmers like the people they work with, so they understand all the relevant issues. Some photos:

 A mustard field behind a meeting of a male microfinance group. Beautiful, I think.

Chickpeas are eaten whole in India, as well as used for flour and to make pre-made foods like mungori. They are also very tasty when roasted.

Wheat is commonly used to make chappatis, which are like tortillas and are used to scoop up the main dish that is being eaten.


Finally, I would like to mention that I updated the website, so that I think it contains much more information and has a better layout than previously. We will continue to put more information on here with time. Please give feedback on this, we really need it! We want to attract people to our work using the site, so it's very helpful to get feedback to make it better.

Thanks so much for your attention again. Have a great day and keep India in your heart!