The meetings involve discussions of the various ways incomes of the SHGs can be augmented, the different sources of income like making bangles etc which are being practiced by any one SHG, which is then replicated by the others. Thus the Federation works as am essential check and link for the SHGs. The annual convention of the Federation this year was organized and funded by the women themselves, collecting Rs.100 from each of the members. They also managed the logistics for the event, making it a huge success.
Gayatri has not only embraced her role as the President of the Federation but is also always thinking of ways to improve lives of the women she meets every day. From making bangles and pots to assisting in construction work, any work that any woman is doing in any of the 25 villages, is discussed in the Federation meetings and is replicated in other parts. The income thus generated is over and the above the income they earn as day-time labourers in the field. This has not only ensured that her SHG has saved up to Rs 40,000 in the past 14 months, but has also facilitated her family buying more cattle to augment their earnings.
From sending her kids to school, to offering jobs to the husbands of SHG workers, Gayatri is a champion of improvement of quality of life. She is now enthused about Rural Sanitary Marts, an entrepreneurial venture for sanitation and health, built with women at the core, and is ready to broach the idea in the next Federation meeting, once again coming up with new ways to touch the lives of women around her.
