Hello again! Here is some background on my trip.I will be living in the town of Satara, which is 45 minutes south of Pune, located on this map. Pune is south of Mumbai, by 136 miles, so I'm not terribly far from a huge metropolitan city. Until I get to Satara, I won't know what my housing arrangement will be, but they could range from homestay, appartment, hostel, or a room adjacent to my non-profit's office.
The non-profit I'll be working with, Mannvikas Samajik Sanstha (hereafter MSS), is a micro-credit organization. The description I've been sent about their work is pasted here:
Mann Vikas Samajik Sanstha (Sanstha) seeks to improve the quality of life of women and their families living in the rural areas of western Maharashtra. Frequent droughts plague these areas, and over the past two decades many local residents have migrated to the cities due to a lack of job opportunities and deteriorating conditions in the villages. Women are particularly disadvantaged, as few females in this tradition-bound society own assets or have access to educational and job opportunities.
To improve the lives of rural women and their families, Sanstha runs various projects through a partnership with its sister organization, the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank. A cooperative bank created by and for women, the Mann Deshi Bank targets the needs of the rural poor. It is the first bank in the country to have more than 2000 members from the backward caste, and all of its clients fall under what the government defines as the “priority” or “weaker” sector. It specializes in both group and individual lending, as well as savings and some forms of insurance.
Sanstha also works closely with the Mann Deshi Mahila Bachat Gat Federation, or Federation of Self-Help Groups. The Federation consists of more than two hundred self-help groups, which are made up of self-employed women like vegetable vendors, milk sellers, and weavers. The federation receives financial support from the Indian government and conducts group savings and credit transactions with the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank.
In partnership, these three organizations aim to stimulate the achievement of social goals – empowerment, asset creation, leadership development, capacity building, and property rights for women – through projects in the areas of economic well-being, education and health. Taken together, these projects constitute a holistic approach to helping women in rural areas – one that combines economic activity with the educational tools and health care that are necessary for leading a productive life.
There is room for a Service Corps Fellow to contribute to MSS’ livelihoods and education projects. Some of these include uplifting the lives of rural poor women and empowering them through banking services, making farmers strategically plan and manage farming activities and wisely market their products, a program to boost girls’ attendance in school, establishing partnerships with commercial banks, and creating a newsletter.
Sounds pretty exciting! I'm really happy with my placement and can't wait to see how I'll be involved in their work.
