Livelihood Success Story

Mantia Devi: 46 years: Patura ,East Champaran

A journey of empowerment and inspiration This is the story of Mantia Devi. She is an example of exemplary success hailing from a village chargharwa of Barwa panchayat .She became the active member of local self-help group formed by.The training provided by the organization build her capacities and now she is the president of the local SHG Nari Mala and has 12 members in the group. She initiated a savings and credit program, as well as a program for generating income the group took loan of 1.5 lakhs out of which they have been able to repay 36,000 in a short span of time. The group conduct regular meetings, records the minutes of those meetings, practice participatory decision-making processes, and maintain a transparent accounting system. Although the women are not highly educated, many have even not gone to school Mantia Devi encourages them to review their programs by identifying weaknesses and planning solutions. Because of their success, others who were sceptical of them in the beginning especially men who would criticize and try to break the group has started viewing them view us positively, and this has instilled a sense of confidence amongst them. The interesting thing is Mantia Devi's work has not stopped at this she has also raised a voice against the corruption in Indira Awas Yojana in CM's Janta Durbar and received flak and threat from Mukhiya for the same but she continued with her efforts and found support from the local MLA in her endeavour. She has contested the Panchayat Samiti election and is a potenatil candidate for 'Pramukh'. We as an organisation strongly support her story as it is a story of a woman who has managed to initiate livelihood activities for her group members as well as has good finance management skills. In addition she has also made a foray into local politics so hers' is a journey that will inspire many women from poor communities and give them a hope for a better future.

Saguni Devi :45 Years

Cast Been : (Lives on rural indigenous work for living ike labour and Fishing ) She is 45 years old and one among the 1st batch of women change agent. She knows how to mobilize women and understands their problem by heart. She has ground based ideas to combat with the local issues. Her major achievement is her victory in ward member elections in the ward which is heavily dominated by single upper cast population. Post independence it was the 1st time in history of Nawada Panchayat of East Champaran Bihar. She has beaten her rival candidate with huge difference of votes. Now She is leading women group of 1000 ladies of Nawada Panchayat, Izra Panchayat and Areraj Nagar Panchayat.