SAMUH NE KARAYI KHUD SE PEHCHAN”(THE CONCEPT OF SHG MADE ME REALIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF)

Background:

Sushila Devi, a 28-year-old lady from Shivpura village, is a mother of the young boy. Tears roll down her cheeks as she narrates her story. She was very young when she got married.

The Earlier Situation

She always wanted to continue her education, but it was hard for her because she was married to a very conservative family where girls are dropped from school once they attain Puberty (the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction).

Even though she couldn’t pursue her education beyond high school, and was married off early, she never gave up on her dreams and aspirations to do something big in her life.

The Extraordinary Journey

Few months back she came to know about the Sakhi Project. She was keen to know more about the groups. Initially, she attended the meetings and learned about the concept of SHGs, but it was not comfortable for her to step out of the house and join the groups. Her in-laws were very reluctant and did not allow her to join Self Help Groups.

Sushila was extraordinarily passionate and had a strong determination to join the SHG. One beautiful day her husband allowed her to associate with a group. She joined the Tejaji Self Help Group with the confidence and aspiration to grow stronger.

The Positive Impact

Sushila was nominated as the Samuh Sakhi of her village by her SHG members. The process of selection of Samuh Sakhi is transparent and on a rotational basis. The idea is to develop second line of leadership and motivate the women to take charge of their community and village. She promoted the importance of small savings, and encouraged the women she interacted within the village, to form self- help groups. She also helped other groups of her village in Book keeping (a practice of recording and maintaining the daily accounts of the SHG) and writing work.

She has earned immense respect for herself, and especially the women in her village are incredibly thankful to her for counseling and help.

Today, the confident Sushila says, “I earn respect not only from others but also from my husband and in-laws. This is the biggest achievement of my life”.