Grass root level approach for sustainable development
- Part 1 :: Self Help Group -

By Grace Laikhuram *

I am a media student doing my post graduation in mass communication specializing in journalism. Currently, I am in the field doing my internship in an NGO called Sampark in Bangalore. My stint in this NGO has taught me a lot about hard work, determination to make a difference in the society by adopting a grass root level method for sustainable development.

In a state like Manipur, where majority of the people are poor, I strongly feel we can adopt their strategies of bringing about sustainable development through grass root level approach.

Here is a brief account of the organization, its activities and the strategies developed to implement its activities to achieve sustainable development of the marginalized section of the society.

About Sampark and its activities in Koppal

Sampark a non-governmental organization, established in 1991, began as a resource agency for other NGOs, government and donor agencies to support them in marketing for rural products, income generation programmes, and gender related activities.

It has use its expertise in handling issues related to poverty and rural livelihoods to initiate holistic development through people's forum and community based leadership in 37 villages in Koppal district of Karnataka.

Sampark started with its developmental activities in Koppal district, which is 12 hours away from Bangalore, in 1998 and have progressed a long way over the ten years Through extensive research and field work, Sampark found that Koppal is one of the poorest districts in north Karnataka.

Therefore, it felt a greater need to be present there on the field and help the people increase their living standard. Sampark is engaged in a lot of developmental activities in Koppal district. The main activities are as follows:

1. Micro Credit
2. Capacity Building
3. Vocational Training
4. Enterprise Training
5. Health Awareness
6. Education
7. Agriculture Related Activities

Sampark also has expanded its activities in Bangalore by establishing creche for children of construction laborers.

Sampark came up with two concepts 'Self-Help Group' and 'Cluster Group' in order to facilitate implementation of the activities mentioned above. In a nutshell, 'Self-Help Group' and 'Cluster Group' are the instruments/vehicles adopted by Sampark for implementing all the developmental and welfare activities in Koppal district.

What is a Self Help Group (SHG)?

Small and informal associations of poor people were initiated by sampark on the principles of self help and collective responsibility.

The formation of SHGs helps the poor to pool their savings, deposit it in banks and access credit facilities from the group, bank and other institutions. Through the formation of SHGs, sampark aims to not only help the poor to come out from the clutches of moneylenders and traders, but also to play significant role in empowering women socially and economically.

It consists of 10 to 20 members (women) with an average member of 15 women. Each SHG selects two leaders named as representative 1 and 2 to supervise the activities of the group.

Activities of the Self Help Group:

Group members participated in various activities within the group and out side the group...conducting weekly meetings, saving regularly, and utilizing the facilities provided by the government, banks, clusters and other institutes. During the meeting, they discuss various personal, village level and social issues.

Savings and credit: The SHG members meet up once a week in the evening and each member put their savings that amounts to 10 to 20 rupees. The next day they deposit their savings in a bank.

Self Help Group (SHG) has three sources of credit programme:

1. within the group: the group money itself is given out as a loan to group members
2. bank: members take loan from the bank
3. clusters: the group take loan from the clusters

Within six months of inception of the Self Help Group, Sampark conducted 6 module training for the group. They are as follows:
1) Group Concept:
Give orientation on why the need for forming a SHG, how a SHG should work and also the importance of a SHG

2) Rules and Regulations:
The rules and regulations to be followed by each self help group and each member of the group.

3) Financial Management:
Give orientation on savings, the procedure for taking loans and various bank transactions

4) Leadership and communication:
A soft skill training programme on developing leadership and communication skills was conducted to train the members to lead the group properly and achieve maximum result.

5) Book keeping and Book writing:
The group members were trained on book keeping and book writing. Skills on Book keeping like maintaining registration book and accounts book for the member and the group were imparted during the training. Also, the group members were introduced to skills of Book writing like writing articles and stories

6) Gender and poverty analysis training:
An orientation programme on gender and poverty analysis was conducted for the group members.

After undergoing this 6 module training, the group starts their lending activity. One very important feature of these SHGs is that it is an independent group with no interference from Sampark. The work of Sampark is just to guide these groups and help them make their own decisions independently.

In short, they have control of their own group in all respects.Altogether there are 200 SHGs in 40 villages which are formed and supported by Sampark.

To be continued....

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* Grace Laikhuram, doing Post Graduation in Mass Communication, contributes regularly to e-pao.net. The writer can be reached at grace(dot)laikhuram(at)gmail(dot)com
This was webcasted on 23rd December 2008.

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