India - Women, development and micro-credit among the proposals of "Bosco Reach Out"

05 April 2016

(ANS - Guwahati) - Scientific and empirical data have shown that working for women's development also brings many benefits for their families and their communities. Aware of that, the Salesians of the Province of India-Guwahati have promoted Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHG). On 29 March last they organized a meeting on micro-credit, during which, thanks to agreements with some banks, it was possible to give loans to thirteen women belonging to these self-help groups.

The WSHG initiative has been started in the districts of Kokrajhar and Karbi Anglong in the State of Assam by the Office of Planning and Development of the Province of Guwahati, through the "Bosco Reach Out" programme, thanks to the collaboration of the National Bank and Rural Development.

The aim of WSHG is to improve the skills and competencies of women belonging to groups that, through the help of the credit offered by banks, are able to make best use of the resources available in their villages, and to start livelihood activities. Several forms of development of women's skills have already been started to the benefit of the community.

The meeting of 29 March in Bhoksong, was attended by representatives of the various WSHG, as well as various bank officials and representatives of Bosco Reach Out. During the training session Fr A. Jayaprakash SDB presented some successful cases where the simple villagers have been able to start small business ventures to generate income and development for their families.

One of the bank officials explained the potential of micro-credit and promised that if the initiatives are successful and the loans are repaid regularly, banks may grant even more credit to encourage further development.

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ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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