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Poor
living condition and lack of economic opportunities
in rural areas are destroying the social
and economic fabric of villages. To enable
emerging community action by facilitating
the creating of services and resources that
would empower rural population to overcome
the inertia caused by the long spells of
marginalization and deprivation they have
suffered RTU is implementing a Rural Development
Programme since 1992. Self Help Groups (SHG),
Micro Credit, mobile tailoring unit, potable
water support etc. are the main activities
of this programme. 26 remote villages of
Theni & Dindigul districts are covered
by this programme.
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Irulayamman
Nagar Self Help Group President
My name is Valli. My husband died 3 years ago
leaving me and my 3 children orphans. We were
living in Periyakulam on the riverbank in a hut,
without any source of income. In Feb 2003. RTU
came forward to sponsor a few families like us.
It has built 8 houses for us. But we were lacking
basic necessities like, drinking water and electricity.
In the same year a self-help group was formed
by RTU. The main purpose of this group was our
overall development with focus on economic development.
Therefore savings and credit was one of the main
activities of our group from its inception. Every
member has saved an amount of Rs.10 in each month
and collected a substantial amount. The group
started disbursing small loans to the needy members
on a nominal interest. Thus we were relieved from
the clutches of local moneylenders. RTU facilitated
us to avail of a government loan of Rs.25,000/-
INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITES
I
am Latha from the Village Kamatchiammal Koil.
I was living in a hut with my husband, 2 children
and mother-in-law. Being landless and with
no assets life was really a struggle for us.
Our earnings have seldom been enough to meet
the family's day to day needs. We never stopped
dreaming of a more secure and contented life.
But our minds have always been preoccupied
with survival. Three years ago RTU started
a saving and credit group for women in our
village. I also joined the group. Joining
the group has proved to be a turning point
in my life.
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Water Development
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| Bore Wells
drilled |
30 |
| Hand-pump
installed |
12 |
| Hand-pump
repaired |
3 |
| Bore Wells
flushed |
2 |
| External
pipe line support |
3 |
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The
group became a place where I could learn about
my health and that of my children, about my
rights as a woman, and about doing business.
I began to save in the group scheme Rs.50/-
per month. My vision and self-condition grew.
On 18/8/05 I took a loan from RTU and Rs.2000
from the group and purchased a cow. The cow
gave more than sufficient milk for our family
use. During the |
| past
292 days this cow gave us 1922 litre milk.
I spent Rs.26.50 daily for feeding the cow.
We took 1 litre milk daily for our own consumption
and sold the rest of milk and improved our
economic status. We have constructed a house
to live and posses golden ornaments for our
daughter after meeting the school expenses
of our children through this income. My children
will become professionals, I am confident.
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