Chasing Dreams

Background

Seema Bheel is a determined 30 years old lady of Shivpura village.She was born in a tribal family and experienced years of oppression and neglect. Seema Devi has faced innumerable challenges which have made her a strong woman. She lived with her husband and one child.

Seema worked hard and dedicated herself to pursue her education up to Intermediate. She said “I wanted to be treated as a human being rather than recognized as a poor dalit girl. I always felt ignorant of the other upper-class community of my village.”

The Problems and Earlier Situations:

• The village predominantly had Dalit community and inadequate means of earning for their livelihood. Her husband managed to earn about Rs. 3,000/- a month as a wage laborer. However, this was not enough to meet the needs of the family members.
• The major disappointment for the village was that from last ten-fifteen years no PRI leader or local authorities had entered the village. Most of the villagers did not have primary amenities like pure drinking water, electricity, transportation, roads, sanitation, etc

The Uniqueness of the Story:

• Sakhi which works for the upliftment of the poor and destitute in the various districts of Rajasthan targeted its interventions in Shivpura village. The local community resource persons (CRP’s) and local staff mobilized women and facilitated them about the importance of the Self Help Group.
• The platform encouraged Seema Devi to not only actively participate in the SHG meetings but also gave a path to discuss various social and personal issues of her village. She started understanding the flagship of SHG, learning the importance of saving and credits and realizing that she can also contribute in improving her family conditions.
• During the intervention period it was highlighted that, women takes burden for flour grinding whereas not a single flour mill is available in the village. She took interest to own one flour mill from which she could earn her livelihood too. Eventually her SHG managed to save Rs. 10160.00 within 11 months. She borrowed Rs. 10000 as loan from her SHG to develop a small Flour Mill (Aata Chakki), in her house.
• Seema Devi also took the initiative and discussed the various realistic problems in group meetings. It was the first time that the women of Shivpura village united at the village level. After a thorough discussion with Seema Devi,and Samuh Sakhi (the group leader who is nominated by the SHG) a list stating the various village level issues was prepared. The women leaders decided to convey the village problems with the Sarpanch of the Gram Panchayat and other local authorities.

Positive Changes in Seema Devi

• Seema Devi was the first women in her community who came forward and joined a group. Nostalgically she shared her experience; “the name “Self Help Group” attracted me a lot. It was the first time when I felt welcomed into a group; it was a place where I felt equal to other women.”
• Seema Devi with a smile on face, she said, life has changed drastically, from a woman who was much unsecured, hesitant and always tried to hide identity, now gives the introduction at various platforms of the SHG meetings. Now I also inspire and encourage other women to come forward.
• Seema Devi was encouraged by her fellow SHG members to contest for elections, after seeing her leadership skill. She wishes to pursue her dream of becoming a Sarpanch.
• Despite all odds she started her own business and installed an Atta Chakki (Flour mill Machine) in her village. This initiative helped her to raise her family’s economic condition by earning 3500-4000 rupees monthly. She solved the problem of other women in the village. The women earlier faced difficulties in flour grinding as not a single flour mill was available in their village.