SELF

HELP

GROUPS

Introduction

Self-Help Group or in-short SHG is now a well-known concept. It is now almost two decade old. It is reported that the SHGs have a role in hastening country’s economic development. SHGs have now evolved as a movement.

What is a Self Help Group ?

A self-help group (SHG) is a village-based financial intermediary usually composed of 10–20 local women or men. A mixed group is generally not preferred. Most self-help groups are located in India, though SHGs can also be found in other countries, especially in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

SHG model in India

In India three different models of linkage of SHGs to the financial institutions have emerged. They are:

Banks, themselves, form and finance the SHGs. SHGs are formed by NGOs and other agencies but

financed by banks. Banks finance SHGs with NGOs and other agencies

as financial intermediaries.

The second model is the most popular model. Almost three-fourths of all the SHGs come under this model. Only 20% of the SHGs are covered under the first and 8% under the third model respectively.

The history of the self-help group READ:

In 1997, READ was the first organization in its area to introduce the concept of women self-help groups, and 5 women self-help groups were formed in Andimadam Block of Ariyalur District (in the villages of Periyakrishnapuram, Thanjavooranchavai, Vilandai, Vilandai Colony and Keelnaduvai).

Since then, the program has expanded a lot. With financial support from the Mahalir Thittam project of the Tamilnadu Corporation for the Development of Women Ltd., (TNCDW), The Council for Advancement of People`s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) and Sahaya International, READ has currently organized more than 1300 groups, each with 10-15 members.

READ's SHG program currently covers three blocks in two districts (Ariyalur and Cuddalore district). To operate these programs, READ has extablished four branch offices (Andimadam, Sendurai, Variyangkaval and Srimushunam)

The READ staffs gave basic training to each of the Self-Help Groups on a variety of topics:Rules and regulations of SHGAnimators trainingAccounts trainingLeadership development TrainingCapacity building trainingEntrepreneurs TrainingSelf employment Training

Self Help Group

A Self Help Group in Ariyalur District organized and managed by READ.

The need for Self-Help Group:

More than 60,000 women spread in 2 Blocks of Ariyalur District belong to the ‘Below poverty line’ category (ie. their annual income is less than Rs. 24000 (=$500)). These women are from different caste groups such as Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), most backward Caste (MBC) backward caste (BC) and minority groups (Muslims). 

Most of them are illiterates/semi-literates. Only 15 percent of this population own economic assets, such as weaving looms, cows and goats, or a petty shop business.

If they need money, they cannot go to a bank to get a loan, so often their only choice is to get a loan from a local money-lender, who usually charges outrages interest rates (sometimes more than 100%!).

Often such debts cannot be paid off in time, and the individual or the family gets in deeper poverty, and sometimes leads to suicide.

The situation is especially poor for women, because they have often little or no economic status, and especially when their husband is working elsewhere, they have to face severe financial hardship.

Occupation-wise they are landless laborers, agricultural laborers, construction workers, weavers and contract weavers and daily wage labor (coolie workers). The job availability in the agricultural sectors is roughly for 3-4 months a year and the rest of the period they travel usually to nearby areas for coolie work. They try to support their families with their little income.

Motive

This can lead to a strong and permanent improvement of their socio-economic conditions in a number of ways:

Initiation of savings and credit activities, and promotion of income generating programs in these self-help groups will bring more economic development and independence to these women and their families.

For the first time in their life, these disadvantaged rural women and men become organized into groups. The formation of these self-help groups will facilitate discussion of many issues pertaining to their socio-economic, educational and health status.

This process will also lead to increased confidence and social status, especially for women, in their communities. This will encourage these women to participate and contribute in general social and political matters in their respective villages, including women's rights.

Case story of self-help group member

•Kolanchiammal

Before Kolanchiammal got involved with a self-help group, her family suffered a lot from money lenders and it was very difficult for her to maintain her family. She came to know about the importance of Self Help Groups and made herself a member in the Vanavil Self-help Group which is being looked after  by READ. After getting a loan from READ, she bought four goats and takes care of them well. Now she is having a habit of saving the amount for future use. Thus the total family benefited from this. One of the goats has yielded two offspring.

WomenEntrepren

eur

KIRAN MAZUMDAR SHAW

Chairperson and CEO of Biocon Ltd, India’s largest Biotechnology company

Born on March 23, 1953

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Schooling at Bishop Cotton Girls School and Mount Carmel College,Bangalore

B.Sc. in Zoology from Bangalore University in 1973

Ballarat University in Melbourne, Australia and qualified as a master brewer.

Awarded honorary doctorates from University of Abertay, Dundee, U.K. (2007), University of Glasgow, U.K. (2008) and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, U.K. (2008)

HER CAREER

Trainee brewer in Carlton & United Beverages in 1974

Became India’s first Brew Master

Switch of occupation Trainee Manager with Biocon Biochemicals

Limited in Ireland in 1978 Founded Biocon India in collaboration with

Biocon Biochemicals Limited

CAREER WITH BIOCON

Capital Transition from an enzyme production

company to an integrated biopharmaceutical company with strategic research initiatives

In 2004 she became India’s richest women As per 2009 Forbes ranking Mrs. Shaw

stands 92 among first 100 most powerful women

CHALLENGES FACED

Personal challengesYouthful ageGenderUnfamiliar business

Lack of fundsNot familiar with biotechnologyWomen entrepreneurLack of assets

Infrastructure Quality Managing investors expectations

DETERMINATION

First company world wide to produce Insulin and in October 2008 it developed oral insulin too

As a leader she used to set feasible goals like production of enzymes and antibodies from fermentation and research process

ACHIEVEMENTS

Nikkei Asia Prizes- Regional Growth by Nikkiei Inc. (2009) Wharton Infosys Business transformation Award (2006) Padma Bhusan (2005) Honorary Doctrate from Manipal Acadamy of Higher education –MAHE (2005) Life time Acheivement Award from Indian chamber of Commerce (2005) Honorary Doctorate of Science from Ballart Universty (2004) The Economic Times Business Women of the year (2004) Whirpool GR8 women award for science and technology (2004) Australian Alumni High Achiever Award from the IDP Australian Alumni

Association (2003) Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Healthcare & Life Sciences

Category (2002) Woman of the Year from the International Women's Association, Chennai (1998–

1999) Padma Shri (1989) Outstanding Young Person Award by Jaycees (1987) Rotary award for the Best Model Employer (1983) Outstanding Contribution Award (AWAKE) (1983) Gold for Best Woman Entrepreneur, Institute of Marketing Management (1982) 

PERSONALITY

High self esteem○ Loves and believes in herself○ Proud to be an Indian○ Tradition and culture

High on conscientiousness○ Reliable○ Responsible○ Organised○ Dependable

High on agreeableness○ Warm with employees, stakeholders○ Trust

High on emotional stability○ Positive emotional stability