Not only that, the money is also lent to other villagers, charging interest at a rate lower than the local bank, thus reducing their reliance on banks for small loans. This has not only helped them reduce the village reliance on banks, it has helped them gain the much coveted ‘financial independence’, a thing unheard of in villages populated by the Rajput caste, where women aren’t even allowed to step outside of the house.
She played a pivotal role in getting her village Open Defecation Free (ODF), by personally walking up to the 68 households in the village and discussing with them the hazards-both physical and mental-of open defecation. When asked her about the changes she brought to the women of her village, she said " Women now step outside the house and not just to go the toilet! They also now know how to sign their names, and the meetings twice-thrice a month have become means to share our life stories and have each other's backs!"
Rajmani plans to continue using her SHG funds to encourage members and villagers to borrow. Her work as an AWW is also her priority, where she teaches young kids general knowledge, good habits and about physical and sexual health- from Menstrual Health Hygiene Management (MHM) to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH). She was very open to suggestions of new entrepreneurial ventures like Rural Sanitary Marts and seemed set on the idea to include as many women as possible to SHGs.
