Case study : Where There is a Will There is a Way
Kaveri SHG Group Shines at the Village

Dumti is a small village situated in Sindhanur taluk of Raichur District. Ten years ago, this village had hardly any facility. Illiteracy was rampant in the village. Almost 90% of people depended on their daily earnings. After a day’s work, they were paid for about 100 to 150 rupees. People mainly depended on rain for cultivation. Due to unpredictable weather, the income was very less compared to other villages. Farming was the main occupation of the common person in the village.

At this very juncture the Vimukti staff, Mr. Arogyappa, studying the situation, rendered his support by forming Kaveri self-help group of 16 women. Among the 16 members, two of them knew a little to read and write, but others had to start from scratch from the evening school. As daily wage earners they saved Rs. 100 a month, learnt banking, collected information pertaining to various subjects, and participated in the trainings, and learnt to be self-sufficient. They exposed themselves to the world outside through their initiatives and skills.

Presently, they are capable of handling their own group activities without much outside help and support. People in and around the village also recognize this fact. They have also initiated development of the village, and made available water facility, electricity, transport facility and qualified teachers to teach in the school.

The villagers have a good word about them. The VCT had initiated the whole process by forming a group of volunteers, who in turn initiated a lot of change in the village. Among their other good works, they have identified ten poor deserving families and helped them to build their own little homes. The group is very keen to perceive things and keep the people of the village informed about them. The members of this group are dynamic, hard working and faithful, and are always at the service of the people.

There are no shortcuts for success. There are good times as well as bad. Society is also a mixture of good people as well as bad. Bad people take time to mend their ways and change is always a long process. Hence, patient endurance with hard work of these Kaveri SHG group members has to be admired. Vimukti has been the backbone of this group and its activities. It goes without saying, therefore, the whole Kaveri group is indebted to Vimukti staff, Mr. Arogyappa, for his share in the right motivation of the group members.