VSSM’s support helps nomadic families to earn a dignified living …

Ritaben is one of the many women entrepreneurs VSSM supports. 

Rita!!

As a child Rita had always seen her parents sculpt Ganesha idols hence, celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is a must for her. It is a festival ingrained in her being. Every time she would account for losses after the festival we would advise her to not get into the business of making Ganesha idols during the next season, she too would pay heed to our recommendation. However, the moment the community would start preparing for the festive season her heart would give in!! “We are Bawri, making idols of the deity is our ancestral occupation, it is difficult for me to give up!” Rita would confess. 

 

“We know the environmental implications of POP idols but it is hard to make Ganesha idols with clay. Also, if we are unable to sell these idols it is hard to store them in our small homes. Hence, Plaster of Paris (POP) works better for us. Nonetheless, this year we decided to make only clay idols, this entire lot here is clay Ganesha. They turn out to be expensive, the returns are not much yet people haggle, with the profits are less. Tell me one thing Ben, do you all bargain when you all go and shop in those glitzy malls?? So why haggle with us? If you stop bargaining, we will not mark up their prices, we earn our bread from it, we too have to sell them, all we need is fair returns for all the hard work we pour in!”

 “This year the corona has inflicted a blow on our businesses. We could not invest in the idol-making this year. But you (VSSM) supported so I am sure it will be fruitful. We are reeling through difficult times Lord Ganesha will bring better days!!”

 We are grateful for the support our well-wishers provide, to allow us to be instrumental in enabling such families to earn a dignified living. The families we mention here are the Bawri community residing in Ahmedabad’s Ramdevnangar settlement and Ritaben is one of the many women entrepreneurs VSSM supports. 

નામ રીટા,

નાનપણથી મા-બાપને મૂર્તી બનાવતા જોયેલા. તે ગણેશચતુર્થી તો કરવી જ પડે એવું બરાબર ઠસ્સી ગયેલું. નુકશાન થાય ત્યારે કહીએ કે આવતી ફેરા ચતુર્થી નથી કરવી. પણ ચતુર્થી આવવાના ચાર મહિના પહેલાં તો મન પાછુ પાતળુ થઈ જ જાય. અમે રહ્યા બાવરી મૂર્તી બનાવવાનું કામ તો બાપ દાદાનું એટલે એમ કાંઈ છુટે?

પ્રદુષણની વાત સમજીએ પણ માટીમાંથી ગણેશ બનાવવા સહેલા નથી અને પાછુ વેચાય નહીં તો અમારા નાના છાપરાંમાં એને સાચવવા બહુ અઘરાં. એટલે પ્લાસ્ટર ઓફ પેરીસનો ઉપયોગ કરતા.

પણ આ ફેરા અમે નક્કી કર્યું માટીમાં કામ કરવાનું તે લ્યો માટીમાંથી ગણેશ બનાવ્યા. માટીમાંથી બનાવેલા ગણેશ મોંધા થાય. લોકો ભાવતાલેય ખુબ કરે. ઘણી વખત મળતરેય બહુ ના મળે..

તે હે બેન, તમે બધા પેલા મોલમાં જઈને ખરીદી કરો ત્યાં તમે પાંચ ઓછા લ્યો એમ કો છો? તો અમારી પાસેથી પાંચ ઓછા કેમ? ભાવતાલ ના કરે તો અમારેય ક્યાં વધુ કિંમત કહીને વેચવા છે? બસ મહેનતનું મળી જાય તો ઘણું.

કોરાનાના લીધે આ ફેરા ચતુર્થી કરવી શક્ય નહોતી પણ દર વખતની જેમ તમે (VSSM) મદદ કરી તે ચતુર્થી ફળશે એ આશાયે કામ કરીએ છીએ.બધે તકલીફ છે જાણીએ છીએ પણ વિધનહર્તા બધુ ઠીક કરશે..

અમદાવાદના રામદેવનગરની બાવરી વસાહતમાં ઘણા પરિવારોને સ્વમાનભેર રોજગારી મળી શકે તે માટે VSSMમાં અનુદાન આપનાર પ્રિયજનોની મદદથી મદદરૃપ થઈ રહ્યા છીએ જેનો આનંદ છે...

#MittalPatel #VSSM #Bavari

#livelihood #employment

#ganeshfestival #ganeshidol

#ecofriendly #interestfreeoan

#ganeshchaturthi #nomadiccommunity

#વ્યાજવગરલોન #ગણેશમુર્તિ

#રોજગારી #બાવરીસમુુદાય

Paniben is doing successful business of Hawser (Ropes) with the help of VSSM

Paniben posing with Mittal Patel

Paniben is very hardworking and brilliant woman. I know her since last eight years. She never cried of her pain or poor condition. Whenever there is need to go to government offices for Ration Card, residential plot or any other work, she is ready with no excuses. She is mother of two sons and a daughter. She administers everything of her house. I saw her husband after eight long years. Her house is recognised and run only on her name. 

She lives in a hut covered by tin sheets roof, where there is no facility of water connection or electricity. She was given an interest free loan to arrange a business of Hawser. She re-paid her first loan and VSSM Karyakar Harshad gave her another loan. I met her during my visit to Surendranagar Distict of Gujarat. I asked Paniben, “What benefit you got from loan? This hut is as it is! Couldn’t you save something out of your earnings after the loan?” 

“Why are you saying so, ben?” I am certainly benefited from this loan. I could expand my business because of the loan and I did spend for my son and daughter’s marriage out of my savings. Even the delivery expenses of hospital for my daughter in law, I could pay out of my savings. Now I am saving for my younger daughter Tulsi’s wedding. After that I would work upon the rebuilding of my house.” 

Listening this one cannot hold on without saying Wow! Moreover her administration is very clear. Every month she re-paid her loan installment on time in her language. She even takes care if anyone else in their group doesn’t re-pay loan installments on time and tells them strictly to pay it on time. If someone skips to pay or delay, then Paniben would surely scold that person! She has strong feelings for VSSM and she says pointing at Harshad that when you sent him first time at our place, you said to keep him happy, you ask him if he had to suffer any difficulty?” 

Paniben with her husband showing the piggybank

She doesn’t like to go to the bank so there is a question where to put her savings. Everything she keeps on hand so sometimes the savings gets spent. I expressed a thought in one meeting that everyone should keep a piggybank at home and some amount of the daily income from the business should be added to piggybank keeping the daily expenses aside. The piggy bank must be opened only once a month to pay loan installments. Rest of the amount should be used to purchase the business material. This practice would never make you feel lost in debts. You would be having money on hand and that will add confidence into you. 

This thought was widely accepted by the people of her hamlet and they all are happy with this practice of keeping the piggybank. They also kept a different ‘Galla’ (Piggibank) for savings. All in the hamlet has honesty in their character so that none complaints about any stealing of the savings. 

ગુજરાતી અનુવાદ 

પનીબેન #બાવરી(#મારવાડીદેવીપૂજક) ખુબ મહેનતુ અને બાહોશ સ્ત્રી. છેલ્લા આઠ વર્ષથી એમને ઓળખુ પણ કોઈ દિવસ દુઃખના #રોદણા એમના મોઢે સાંભળ્યા નથી. સરકારી કચેરીમાં રેશનકાર્ડ, પ્લોટ કે કાંઈ પણ કામ માટે જવાનું હોય તો કશાય કકળાટ વગર તૈયાર. પરિવારમાં બે દીકરા ને બે દીકરી. ઘરનો આખો કારભાર એ સંભાળે. એમના ઘરવાળાને તો આઠ વર્ષે મે હમણાં જોયા. બાકી ઘર જ જાણે પનીબહેનથી ઓળખાય, ને ચાલે. 

રાંઢવાનો ધઁધો કરવા વગર વ્યાજે લોન આપી. એકવારની લોન ભરાઈ ને બીજીવારેય કાર્યકર હર્ષદે આપી. છાપરાંમાં જ એમનું રહેવાનું. પીવાનું પાણી કે લાઈટની કોઈ સુવિધા ત્યાં નહીં. હમણાં #સુરેન્દ્રનગર ગઈ ત્યારે દૂધરેજ વસાહતમાં જવાનું થયું. પનીબહેનને પુછ્યું કે, ‘લોનથી શું ફાયદો થયો? આ છાપરુ તો એમનું એમ છે એમાં કાંઈ ફેર નથ પડ્યો. તો લોનથી કાંઈ કમાઈને ભેગું કર્યું કે નઈ?’

‘એમ કેમ બોલો સો બેન? લોણથી ઘણોય ફાયદો થ્યો. મારા બે સોકરાંને એક સોકરી મે લોનમાંથી જે ધંધો વધાર્યો એમાંથી જ તો પૈઈણાયા. મારા એક સોકરાંની વહુની ડીલીવરીનો ખર્ચોય એમાંથી જ તો નીકળ્યો. હવે તુલસી (નાની દીકરી)ના લગન હાટુ ભેગા કરુ સુ. એ થઈ જાય પસી ઘર કરવું સે.’

સાંભળીને મોંઢામાંથી વાહ નીકળી જ જાય. પાછો લોનનો #વહીવટ એકદમ ચોખ્ખો. દર મહિને હપ્તો એમની ભાષામાં કહુ તો ટેમ સર આવી જ જાય. પાછો પોતાનો હપ્તો તો ટેમસર આપે આખી વસાહતમાંથી અન્યોએ લીધેલી લોનના હપ્તા પણ ટેમસર ભરાવે. જો કોઈ હપ્તો ના ભરે કે મોડાઈ કરે તો બિચારાનું આવી જ બને. પનીબેનનો કોપ એના માથે ઉતર્યા વગર ના રે. અમારી સંસ્થાનો ભાવ એમના મનમાં જબરજસ્ત ‘અને હર્ષદસાહેબને પેલીવાર કા તમે વસાવટમાં મુક્યા ત્યારે કીધુ કે ઈ નાના સે ઈને હાસવજો. તે પુસી જુઓ ઈમન વસાવટમાં એમને કાંઈ તપલીક પડવા દઉસુ?.’

બેંકમાં જવું ગમે નહીં એટલે બચત ક્યાં મુકવી એ પ્રશ્ન ખરો. પાછુ બધુ હાથ વગુ રાખે એટલે વપરાઈએ જાય. એક મીટીંગમાં મે ગલ્લાનો વિચાર આપેલો કે, દરેકે ઘરમાં ગલ્લો રાખવો. રોજ ધંધામાંથી જે વકરો થાય એમાંથી દાણા પાણી ને ધંધા અર્થે થનાર પ્રવાસ ખર્ચના કાઢી બાકી ગલ્લામાં નાખવાના. ને મહિને એક વાર ગલ્લો ખોલવાનો. એમાંથી લોનનો હપ્તો ભરવાનો ને બાકીના પૈસાનો ફેર #સામાન લાવવાનો. આવું કરશો તો કોઈ દિવસ પાછા નહીં પડાય.

આ વિચાર દૂધરેજ વસાહતના લોકોએ બરાબર અપનાવ્યો ને એટલે એ સુખી થઈ રહ્યા છે. બચતનાય ગલ્લા કર્યા છે.. પાછી આખી વસાહતમાં છે ઈમાનદારી એટલે ગલ્લા ચોરાતા નથી એ ખાસ નોંધવું રહ્યું.

Kashi Ma takes care of her mentally retarded son with the help of VSSM for loan to do business

Kashi Ma with her son

When I heard name of Kashi, I remembered the famous story of Gujarati literature named ‘Lohini Sagai’. I could connect this Kashi with the character of Kashi in the story. The real life Kashi is taking care of her 35 year mentally retarded son with a great zeal. Kashi Ma’s age is above 65 years. She spends every month nearly Rs. 2,000-2,500 for her son’s medicines. 

I went to visit the Vansfoda hamlet of Hadmatiya at Gir-Somnath, at Rajkot District of Gujarat.  During my visit there, he kept moving around me with his medical file given by the doctor he was consulting for his illness. He is not able to speak but he must be understanding his mother’s feelings about him and there was a sign in his eyes that if someone may help his mother. 

Kashi Ma took an interest free loan of Rs. 20,000 from VSSM to buy Plastic Tubs to do its business. She was going by truck, tractor whatever public transport she got for selling the Tubs around nearby villages. She earns her livelihood by selling those Plastic Tubs only. She also spends for her son’s medicine from the same income and she pays her loan installments too out of it.

I spent two hours there but she neither uttered a word for help nor she complained about her difficult situation. Yes, she expressed that government has given APL ration card and she wanted instead of BPL Ration Card/or Antyodaya Card so that she may get a little relief in her financially tough situation. 

Generally there is an amendment according to Supreme Court’s order, if there is any handicapped member in the family, that family should get an Antyoday Ration card. But sadly Kashi Ma does not have that Antyodaya card. She should get that ideally. 

VSSM Karyakars Kanubhai and Chhayaben have taken up the responsibility to help her get Antyodaya Card. Moreover, ex Sarpanch of Hadmatiya village and others too have promised to cooperate for the same. 

Kashi Ma has a desire to get a plot to make her own house to stay. As villagers are supportive, we too are hopeful that VSSM’s effort will bring results for her. We are also determined to help her get the medicines for her son on a cheaper rate. 

We feel like to bow down to Kashi Ma looking at her tireless efforts to take care to keep existence of her mentally retarded son. 

Really, as it is said in Gujarati, “Ma e Ma, Bija Badha Vagdana Va” feels to be truth when we see mothers like Kashi Ma.

We can see her son with a file behind her in the house where Kashi Ma stays. 

Equality broke Caste Barrier

Nomadic Community Member Fuljibhai broke Caste Barrier

Mittal Patel with Darbar Women

“I can give you loan but what if you don’t pay the instalments? Fuljibhai Devipujak who was standing nearby said firmly, “Ben, I am their guarantor. If these people don’t repay I will be bound to pay your money back!” 

Social atmosphere is smothered by casteism. Everyone has forgotten the fact that they are Indians at the end of the day. Everyone has started identifying their own caste and that has become the only important thing. In such a situation, Fulabhai easily flung the caste barrier away.   

"Although you are helping people from Nomads, take a look at our plight once. Then you decide to help us or not. We are Darbars. We don’t like pleading for help. But 2017 floods destroyed everything. Our cattle died and our fields were washed away. Can’t you give us loans the way you gave it to Devipujaks of Patni Odha village? We really need it otherwise we would not have asked for it", these women said pleadingly.  

This incident took place when some Darbar women from Patni Odha which is a part of Khariya village had come to request for the loans to buy buffaloes. Nothing can be more accurate example of unity than a Devipujak man being a guarantor of Darbar women.

I am happy and proud. The meaning of Pledge ‘all Indians are my brothers and sisters” was proven true… Now I will have to give loans to these women.

This picture with Darbar women has been taken by Naran. 

ગુજરાતીમાં અનુવાદ

‘લોન આપુ પણ પછી હપ્તા ના ભરાય તો?’

પાસે ઊભેલા ફુલજીભાઈ દેવીપૂજકે કહ્યું, ‘બેન હું ઓમની ગેરંટી લઉ. આ લોકો લોણ લે અન ના ભરઅ તો હું ભરવા બંધાયેલો!’

ચારેબાજુ #જાતિવાદનું #ઝેર ઓકાઈ રહ્યું છે. દરેક વ્યક્તિ ભારતીય હોવાનું ભુલી ગયો છે ને હું ફલાણી જાતિનો ને ઢીંકણી જાતિનો એ કહેવા લાગ્યો છે ને જાણે એ જ અગત્યનું બની રહ્યાનું દેખાઈ રહ્યું છે. ત્યારે જાતિવાદના આ વમળને આમ સાવ સહજ રીતે ફુલાભાઈએ હડસેલી દીધું. 

‘તમે વિચરતી જાતિઓન ભલે મદદ આલો પણ અમારી હાલત એક ફેરા જુઓ. પસી તમે જ નક્કી કરો ક અમન મદદ કરવી ક નઈ. અમ દરબાર સીએ. ઓમ મદદ મોગવી ના ગમ. પણ 2017મોં આયેલા પુરે બધુ બગાડી મેલ્યુ. અમારી ભેંસોય જઈન ખેતર બેતરેય બગડી જ્યાં. પટણી ઓઢામોં #દેવીપૂજકોન લોણ આલી ઈમ અમન ના આલો? ખરેખર જરૃર હ નકર ના મોગત.’

ખારિયાગામનું પરુ પટણીઓઢામાં રહેતી દરબાર #બહેનો ભેંસ લેવા માટે લોન આપો એવી વિનંતી સાથે મળવા આવ્યા ને ઉપરની વાત થઈ.

એક દેવીપૂજક ભાઈ દરબાર બહેનોની #ગેરંટી લે એનાથી મોટી સમભાવનાની વાત શું હોઈ શકે...

આનંદ થયો ને ગર્વ પણ. પેલી #પ્રતિજ્ઞા અમે ભારતીય છીએ ને બધા #ભારતીયો મારા ભાઈ બહેન છે એ સાર્થક થઈ... લોન તો આપવી જ રહી... 

દરબાર બહેનો સાથે કેમેરામાં કંડારવાનું નારણે કર્યું...

VSSM helps Nituben stand up on Her Feet

VSSM helps Nituben to have her own vegetable cart and brings smile to her face

Nituben  Dantani belongs to Guptanagar of Vasna area of Ahmedabad District. She has three kids and her husband in her family. She was doing labour work and household chores in the bungalows for her livelihood expenses. Her husband used to borrow money on interest which he used to spend to do his business of vegetable selling. He had his hand-cart on rent. He used to pay daily rent of Rs. 20. His less income went in paying daily rent of hand-cart, vegetable purchasing and paying interest of the money he borrowed. Nituben came in to contact with Ilaben, the VSSM karyakar. She narrated his situation and asked for Rs. 20,000 loan. 

Her own house is with tin roof on it, so they have the main problem of paying more share of his income in to interest amount that he had earlier borrowed. VSSM helped Nituben with the loan she asked for. She spent Rs. 20,000 of loan to purchase a new hand-cart, electric weighing machine for vegetables and a big umbrella for shade for her husband. He also brought more vegetables to sell. She repaid her husband's previous loan too to become free from paying interest. 

VSSM help has now started showing the impact. Nituben is able to run her house well and she is saving money also. She has repaid Rs. 12,000 to VSSM out of the 20,000 she borrowed as an interest free loan. She could save money to buy another hand-cart and she is now helping her husband to earn more. They now have fruits along with vegetables. Though sometimes they fail to repay as decided but they wish to pay back and they keep working hard to pay back the loan which helped them to be independent in their business. The help proved truly like lifeline to them. They thank VSSM again and again for the help. 

Nituben’s children used to study in the government school. Now she has decided to educate them well so that she has admitted them into Satyam School nearby her house. She is happy with the help and working hard to achieve more in life. 

VSSM wishes Nituben a happy and respectful life. 

VSSM is forwarding thanks along with their gratitude towards the donors who are the co-travellers in this journey of social service for the NT and DNT communities. 

LOAN ID: 1068

VSSM Helps Dakshaben set up her Business

VSSM helps Dakshaben, a Domestic Helper, become a Fruit Vendor 

Dakshaben Rajubhai Nayak is staying at Guptanagar area in Vasna village of Ahmedabad. She was earning her livelihood by doing household jobs in nearby bungalows. Her husband Rajubhai is working in the hotel Thriller. She has one daughter and a son too. She was also selling bananas filled up in a small basket.  She was earning her livelihood but that did not give enough profit to meet the ends. It was difficult for her to meet the ends.

During 2014, she came in contact with Ilaben, the social worker who is working with ‘Vicharta Samuday Samarthan Manch’ (VSSM). VSSM helped her by giving interest free loan of Rs. 20,000 during May 2017, which helped her add more fruits and buy more stock to sell by hand-cart. This interest free loan helped her earn good profit as well as saved her money which could be gone into paying interest of the loan if she had gone to some local money lender. Her earning has reached up to Rs. 300 to 500 daily which has strengthened her paying capacity. She pays her decided Rs. 2000 EMIs regularly (5 EMIs are already paid) which is an additional change in her life. 

Loan ID 1312

VSSM saved Nenuben from being a Defaulter and saved her Prestige

“Sister, If I don’t repay loan, it would be a crime to Nature”: Nenuben

Nenuben Expressing her happiness and gratitude to Mittal Patel  

Nenuben  (Devipujak) belongs to Ramdev Nagar area of Jodhpur, Ahmedabad. Her husband passed away due to an illness. She had been alone with her three children. It was very difficult for Nenuben during that period to raise her children on her own with no income. Her husband had left a hut for her on the land he owned. Hence, there had not been any problem about moving here and there. The main problem she had been facing was to earn in order to bring up her kids. Nenuben knew tailoring work. She started stitching traditional dress for women of her community. She had been stitching with good finishing hence, the ladies had been coming to her to get their dresses stitched. Gradually, now she also started keeping dress material to sell.

She had admitted her children into government school. Her life was not that easy. Her children left school as they were not interested to study. They started helping her to earn. Her son Sanjay also started working as office boy but his job was gone suddenly. Nenuben's leg had been fractured and it had affected her earnings. Her other son Bechar had been grown up and he thought to do their traditional business of making idols of Ganesha and other artefacts. The idea of earning from the business had not been successful as there had been less selling than they presumed. Now this added to their problems as it had become difficult for them to manage the repayment of loan they had borrowed on interest from local money lender. 

Nenuben Showing her business to Mittalben

She came to VSSM office with her son Becher. VSSM decided to help her during her troublesome time, lent her interest free loan of Rs. 70000. Initially it was decided that she can re-pay according to her convenience. After six months of borrowing loan from VSSM her business of stitching and selling the Marwadi dress material ran well, she would re-pay according to VSSM’s mode of re-repaying the loan, on a regular basis, as it had been decided with her. She could expand her business also. She brought material from Jaipur.

The new business startup ran well and she started re-paying instalments to VSSM and other loan from Kalupur bank she had taken of Rs. 1 lakh for idol-making business. She was too much worried of her prestige and that is why she didn’t show her inability to repay Kalupur bank’s loan. She could lose her house against loan, but VSSM’s timely help without saved her from paying high interest as well as to maintain her respect as loan holder of Kalupur bank. She never wanted to be declared defaulter on her loans she took from the bank. 

We owe Nenuben's success to all our well wishers who never fail to appreciate and support us!

LOAN ID: 1407

VSSM helps Lilabhai fill colours in his life

VSSM Interest Free Loans filled Colours in the life of Lilabhai

Lilabhai built standing kitchen in his new house through VSSM Loans

Lilabhai Bhotubhai Patni (Devipujak) belongs to Deesa village of Banaskantha District. He is a seasonal vendor and his wife helps him in the business. He wished to expand his business but was facing financial limitations. He got to know about the interest free loans that VSSM extend to NT- DNT community members and decided to contact Maheshhai (VSSM worker). He could avail the loan of Rs. 25,000/- with which his business started. It had started off well and he could repay his loan timely and had some savings too!

Thereafter, he took second loan of Rs. 10,000/- to get a house under Rajiv Gandhi Awas Yojna. The actual amount to be paid under this scheme was Rs 2 Lakh 49 Thousand, but as he belongs to NT community, he had to pay 55,000/- from which VSSM helped him avail 45, 000/- through Pandit Dindayal Awas Yojna, hence he could get a house of his own! He could spent VSSM loan for his house which we can see how he has built standing kitchen in his house. He is happy that he could avail his own house with VSSM’s support of Rs. 10,000 loan that too interest free. He has re-paid Rs. 2000/- out of his loan he borrowed.  

Lilabhai's winter wear shop

As the winters were about to arrive, Lilabhai thought to buy warm clothes for winter from wholesale for the season’s business. But he estimated an investment of 1.5 Lakh. He already had an ongoing loan of Rs 10, 000/- through VSSM. But he still decided to borrow a third loan.Given that he had repaid the previous loan timely, VSSM decided to extend a loan of 50,000/- for his business. Since he was still short of 1Lakh, he borrowed Rs.50,000 from somewhere on the interest and put in all his savings and got his stock of winter clothes for his business. God bless, his business is doing great and he is also repaying the loan on timely basis.

Lilabhai knows how to drive an auto rickshaw and now he wishes to buy one. He says that his wife will manage his seasonal business at one place and if he will get an auto rickshaw, he can move around with his stock and do business along with getting passengers in the auto rickshaw from which he can earn too. Once he repays both the loans to VSSM, he wishes to get another loan for buying an auto rickshaw.

Lilabhai showing winter clothes to Mittal Patel

He has two children and since his engagement with VSSM, he understands the importance of education in a better way. He wishes to send his five-year-old son to school and also puts aside Rs. 200/- for his extra tuition. He is focused towards his kid's education and their bright future.

Now that we know that Lilabhai has had a taste of how hard work and dedication pay off, we wish Lilabhai a bright future and may he always keep working hard towards achieving his goals and VSSM shall stand by his side in hour of need. 

We are grateful to our donors who support us to help many people like Lilabhai who struggle to earn the living.

LOAN ID: 1362

VSSM enables Talabhai add silver border to his life

VSSM helps Talabhai Barot Expand his Business

Talabhai showing his embroidery material

Talabhai Ukabhai Barot is the resident of Old Deesa of Deesa Taluka of Banaskantha District. Talabhai is earning his livelihood expenses by running a small business of embroidery lace borders. It was very difficult for him to run his house with the investment of small amount for the business. The costing of running business was more and earning was lesser. Thus, Talabhai could not fulfil the basic needs of his family. Talabhai, the father of three daughters, was taking the money from the private money lenders for high amount of the interest on it. The small capital on hand restricted him to buy more material on a cheaper price from the wholesale dealers. He was buying his business material from Palanpur and his profit was less due to buying less material on a daily basis on a higher rates from the local shop. The local money lenders used to take higher interest rates and even if any day he didn’t have business, he had to pay the actual interest for the capital he has taken from the local money lender. 

Talabhai was already earning lesser than his requirement and wanted some loan to purchase more material for business. He goes to the surrounding areas to sell the embroidery borders. Initially he used to buy material for Rs. 5000 and 2000. Then he met VSSM Karyakar Maheshbhai through a loaner of the VSSM. He expressed his problems and asked if he can have some loan from VSSM. He was given Rs. 20,000 during the May 2017. The good part of showing trust to him has now given him confidence to buy more material from Surat for wholesale rates. His profit has increased as well. This interest free loan saves the interest he had to pay earlier. His capacity to buy more material has made him good businessman who can give considerable options to his customers. All these changes have enabled him to repay his loan to VSSM regularly. 

He has already paid half of the amount of his loan that is 10,000. He himself calls Maheshbhai to pay the dues which shows his integrity. Talabhai says that now he is not in that poor condition or feels disrespectful. But this help brought stability in his earnings and made him stronger to buy more business material. Earlier local lenders used give loans of 10000 by cutting 1000 as interest and he had to pay rest 9000 by 100 Rupee each month. This made the vicious circle of debts going and amount to be paid increased. But VSSM's interest free loan freed him from this vicious circle.  

Maheshbhai says with smile, “Local money lenders are telling us that our business is now in danger as your organisation is giving interest free loans. People don’t come to us for money now but they say that we are getting interest free loans and that is very helpful to them.” 

What more can be success than this to us! Our trust is taken care by repaying the loans on time with thanks by the community. We could be the means for them to bring stability in their lives by our small amount of helping hand. 

We owe this success to our respected donors! We hope you keep appreciating us like this. 

Loan ID: 1325

VSSM becomes the strong support for Jiviben in her old age struggles of life

VSSM Supports Hexagenerian Nomad Woman by giving Interest Free Loans

Jiviben showing the cutlery

Jiviben belongs to Totana village of Kankrej Taluka in Banaskantha District. Jiviben’s age is about 60 years. She stays in a small hut with her son. She and her son used to sell cutlery and running their small business. Her son used to go place to place on a bicycle selling cutlery material like rubber bands, hair clips and balloons. Son’s earning alone. They were living on the basis of the income they earned daily.They were purchasing grocery and business material everyday. This practice was more difficult as they could buy and save nothing. More money went in to material purchasing and that was costlier to manage on a daily basis. They could not earn enough comparing with the hard work they used to do. They thought to store ration of at least one month and to purchase material on a wholesale rate; so that, they can save little profit which they used to lose in daily purchases.

They were struggling hard to meet their daily basic needs. Meanwhile, flood washed everything they had. Their house was affected and their life became tougher.

Jiviben talking about her Business to Mittal Patel

VSSM helped Jiviben and her son by providing an interest free loan of Rs. 10,000 for their livelihood. The mother and son felt very happy to see a good amount on hand. They purchased ration for their daily needs which saved their money which used to be spent on daily purchasing of the ration and business material. They purchased more material for business and divided it in to two parts. Her son took more material to sell on bicycle. Jiviben also helped by selling the material while carrying the basket on her head, moving around in nearby areas on her feet. Jiviben's feet hurt due to this constant struggle for survival. They both are trying hard to earn but still they have to build a stronger house replacing the hut. They have repaid Rs. 3000 out of the loan of Rs. 10,000. 

We are grateful that we got donors like you who are giving us consistent support to help people like Jiviben!

Loan ID: 1561

VSSM helps Amitbhai and Anilbhai Develop their Business Again

Amitbhai and Anilbhai could sell the Vegetables with the help of VSSM

Amitbhai with his handcart

Everyone wants to lead life according to his/her talent. Everyone wants to reach the peak of success in life and wants to fulfil all the dreams. It is said that luck goes with the ones who work hard but sometimes even hard work doesn’t bring desired results due to some reasons. Amitbhai also worked hard to follow his dreams but because of not having enough money he was not able to fulfil his dreams. 

Amitbhai stays at Guptanagar in Vasna area of Ahmedabad district. His wife Rekhaben does house-hold work and his two children are studying in the school. He had already debts but still he took loan on interest from the local money lender to do vegetable business. Whatever Amitbhai earned by selling vegetables had gone in paying the interest of the loan he took. His earning was not enough to fulfil his needs to lead life. 

Amitbhai came in contact with VSSM through Ilaben, the VSSM field worker. He applied for loan of Rs. 50,000 to VSSM. VSSM sanctioned the interest free loan of Rs. 50,000. He paid his earlier debts of Rs. 30,000 and rest 20,000 he used for his vegetable business. Amitbhai is now free from the tension of paying interest. He can earn daily 300 to 400 Rupees by selling vegetables and paying his instalments of the loan he took from VSSM, regularly. This little financial stability has built his confidence to follow his dreams.

Anilbhai with his flourished handcart

Anilbhai, also a resident of Guptanagar of Vasna area, was a vegetable vendor. He used to take money from local money lenders on interest whenever he needed money for his business. He wanted to bring more fruits so he again took money from local money lender on interest. At the end his efforts to earn money well went in vein as most of the money he used to earn was going in repaying the interest of the loans he took earlier to run his business well. Remaining amount was going to run the house. It was getting difficult for Anilbhai to run his house and business with a huge amount of debts on his head.   

Anilbhai had heard about VSSM through Ilaben. He took the interest free loan of Rs. 50,000 from VSSM, promising that he will repay it in regular instalments. VSSM gave him loan of Rs. 50,000 with no interest. He paid his debts with those money and came out of the burden of paying interest. It released his tensions and he could focus well on the business. He spared 20000 out to 50,000 to invest in business. Now he daily earns good amount of Rs. 400 to 500. He is repaying VSSM loan instalments on regular basis. He expresses happiness for the help which saved his hard earned money going waste in repaying interests. 

We are thankful to our donors for enabling us to help Amitbhai and Anilbhai setting up their business.

LOAN ID: 1190, 1191