Objective- To build the organisational stability amongst the rural women for their economic
self reliance, thereby letting the individuals, families and the group to improve their
standard of living. The programme aims to have a strong emphasis on capacity building of
women for their social, political as well as economic empowerment.
Our interest in SHGs, however, is better explained by another fundamental characteristic of
the groups that 100% groups comprised solely of women and it is the lives of these women
that SHGs claim to most benefit. Here SHGs act as an important tool in development
strategies. Women are the most deprived section of the society, they are the one who suffer
the most, who are exploited the most, but cannot raise their voices against it. That's why
we try to concentrate our efforts on rural women.
SHGs are simply micro-credit based groups where women are brought together in order to access
and repay loans as a collective. Olawa tried to demonstrate the correct concept of Self help
group (SHG) to villagers and motivated them to form the groups of homogenous women. Women
were helped to open their bank accounts in the nearby banks. Efforts were made to make the
work procedure more systematic. Monthly meeting programme was developed for SHGs. This was
planned carefully with the specific needs of the individual groups. Methodologies used were
games, discussions, case studies which were most enjoyed by women.
Initially groups formed with the simple rules —
SAVE - ACCUMULATE & GIVE LOANS TO EACH OTHER
Up till now the programme has reached
more than 104 SHGs formed by Olawa in 38 villages in Pen Taluka. SHG members were trained
for capacity building over the period of time i.e Basic Conceptual Training, Training on
record and Book Keeping, Credit Linkage with banks (Financial support to SHGs)
Gradation of SHGs and timely Evaluation is done to track their progress as well as to help
them understand where they are. Groups have their own rules and regulations for its smooth
working.
Following are the few of Income Generation Activities started by SHGs-
● Bhajni Mandal
● Vermiculture Units
● In 35 villages almost all Anganwadi's and Primary Schools Poshan Aahar is prepared for
children by Self Help Groups.
● SHGs are encouraged to produce goods , specifically famous for Pen like different types of
Papads, kurdai, Mirgunde, Sandge, Papdi, Wal, Mug, Nachani, Pohe and many other products.
● Distribution of seasonal material by SHG for SHG members:- eg. Pooja material for
Vatpournima, Ekadashi, Shivratri etc
● Rakhi stalls on occasion of Rakshabandhan
As most of the SHG members are farmers, they spend their lot of time in agricultural
activities. Thus through group activities SHG members prefer to work on seasonal basis for
their extra income.
Due to the outstanding performance of loan repayment by SHG members, in the year 2013 Bank of
India has given individual loan to SHG members under the Credit Card Yojna. Among 32 SHGs
186 women members took benefit of this scheme under which 46,50,000/- rupees were disbursed
During the year 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 Olawa Implemented the Scheme of Government of
Maharashtra's Department of Agriculture "Active Participation of Women in Agriculture. The
main objective of the scheme was – to provide training to rural women for improving their
active participation in agriculture activities and making them self reliant in Agriculture
management .i.e Giving knowledge about new technologies related to their farms and thus
availing equal opportunities for their employment.
During this 3 year programme 50 Farm Women SHGs got exposure to Organic farming techniques,
Vermiculture, Joint vegetable cultivation, Food Processing, Study tour, Mahila Melawas,
Market Survey techniques, Marketting
FORMATION OF FEDERATIONS
As most of the groups were stable in their functioning,
efforts to form federation of SHGs were started and according to that concept of Formation
of Federation was put forward to SHGs. Although all the SHGs were told about the Federation
only who were evaluated as regular in their working were included in the Federation.
The main purpose to Form the Federations were as Follows
To help in achieving
sustainability of SHGs, to strengthen the capacity of member SHGs in one or more of a
variety of fields. ( book keeping, accounting, marketing, financial management, advocacy,
bank linkage, accessing government schemes ),To facilitate linkages between SHGs and banks/
govt. Agencies/ local institutes, To have better access to development information and
marketing linkages To resolve any conflicts that arise within member SHGs, To undertake the
marketing of the Produce of members of the SHGs. To be the window to the outside world, in
replacement of the promoter organisation.
For easy review, regulation and supervision of the functioning of member SHGs.
Over the years structural changes were made in the federations. There are 3 Federations
(Sangha) of total 49 Self Help Groups and 860 women members .
Panchakroshi Mahila Sangha
( Panchakrushi meaning a cluster of five villages having livelihood on agriculture )
Bhogeshwari Mahila Sangha ( Bhageshwari is the name of river , the groups residing in
villages on the bank of this river )
Koynamaee Mahila Sangha ( Original residents near Koyna river now rehabilitants of Koyna Dam
)
All the Federation members have monthly meetings where group representatives discuss their
current work, share their experiences. Each meeting starts with a Prayer, Ooth, and Minutes
of last meeting, main subjects to be discussed and ending with the Vote of thanks by the
village hosting the meeting.
INNOVATIVE PROJECT by PANCHAKROSHI MAHILA SANGHA- TERMERIC PLANTATION
Pen east is hilly and sparsely populated area. Villages mainly depend on Paddy, Ragi farming.
Due to its geographical location as close to Mumbai, land prices are at hike and which has
caused major land sells, causing major migration. Turmeric being cash crops compared to
paddy we are trying to turn their minds and continue agriculture as their mean of
livelihood. In addition to their regular farming activity they have enthusiastically
participated in Turmeric Plantation.
This year in June 2015 Panchakrushi Mahila Sangha were given training and material support
for Turmeric Plantation. Plantation has been done on the area of around 12 Acres. As this is
the first year of plantation , from next time more and more families will be supported in
order to be have major production which will be Processed and sold.
TRAINING IN INCOME GENERATION ACTIVITIES FOR SELF EMPLOYMENT
Detergent and Liquid
Soap, Phenyle Making
Candle and Agarbatti making
Chalk making
Making Coir floor mats
Organic Farming techniques
Imitation Jewellery
Training in fish processing
Training in preparation of various types of Pickles
Training in Food processing
Training in Making Fancy Jute articles
Study Tours to see and actual visit projects are planned every year.
SUPPORT TO SALE GROUPS PRODUCE
A Stall was put up at Mumbai Pune Expressway to sell
famous Poha and related Papad items of Pen.
A Retail Mart specially for SHG produce was started at Pen with support from NABARD to
encourage the sell of SHG products from Raigad.
Every year groups participate in various exhibitions at city level like NABARD, Mahalaxmi
Saras at Mumbai, Bhimthadi Jatra- Pune, Sangli, Kolhapur and Agriculture related exhibitions
in District , state level.
Looking at the progressive work done by Olawa in the field of Saving and redit Linkage,
NABARD Bank managers paid an Exposure visit to see the work of SHGs as a part of their
training programme. Also many SHG members are invited by other NGOs for Experience sharing
BASIC ORIANTATION PROGRAMME FOR SHG ( PAYABHUT PRASHIKSHAN )
Organised population of rural poor that is the population under the poverty line ( BPL )was
given training for capacity building under SGSY Scheme. It is known as govt's one of the
important Anti-poverty programme.
This is a short duration - 2 day non residential programme where SHG members were trainined
to understand the concept of Self Help Group, Group Dynamics, Conflict resolution, conduct
of group meetings, Maintenance of records, Awareness about the social and family welfare
programs etc.
Total 52 SHGs in 36 villages in Roha, Sudhagad, Khalalpur and Pen were given Basic
Orientation Training by Olawa.
TRAINING FOR SHG ( KAUSHALYA VRUDDHI PRASHIKSHAN )-
The training for skill development includes skill up gradation through exposure to latest
tools and technologies, value addition, diversification of products, entrepreneur
development , marketing skills, packaging, labelling etc. Related to the particular business
chosen by the group. Skills include Goat rearing, Bricks Manufacturing, Papad Agarbatti
making, Floor mill, Ganesh idol making Masala making.
Total 19 SHGs in 17 villages in Roha, Sudhagad, Khalalpur and Pen were given Skill training
by Olawa.
