Women's Micro credit program in Jitpurphedi community Dadagaun

Words by Rislene Alami
Every month, a member of the women’s micro credit program collects savings from the different women’s groups of the Jitpurphedi community. Four groups are located in Dadagun and is composed by 40 women, they are mainly farmers, animals keeping, teachers, and some of them do embroidery.
Every member of the group has to save a minimum of 100 rupees in the name of the group and if they wish, women can individually save the amount of money they want.
The participants of the women’s micro credit program appreciate the services proposed by the cooperative as they are all presents and they all deliver individually savings to the co cooperative. In average, each member of the women’s micro credit program is able to save 100 rupees required for the group and up to 500 rupees for their individual savings. They have a bankbook/passbook where every individual deposit is appointed and a received is given by the cooperative. The amount collected by the group is appointed on a register by a member of the cooperative.
The meetings conducted for women’s micro credit program also allow women to ask whatever they want to the members of the cooperative in charge of collecting the savings and they are also a good way for the women to discuss about daily life topics and to build confidence and solidarity links.
Another two group is located near the dumping side of the village. This women’s micro credit program is composed of 18 women. In the raining season, the majority of the women cannot attend the meetings because they have to work in the rice plantation. Nevertheless, they have all entrusted their money to the women who can attend the meeting which is a testimony of confidence and solidarity, indispensable for the group to function. One of the woman could collected 110 000 rupees with her pumpkin plantation that she sell in Balaju. She is currently paying back a loan that she contracted with another co-operative.
In overall, women involved in the women’s micro credit program have a good understanding of how the co-operative works and they appreciate the services proposed. They developed solidarity and confidence links which is good for the solidarity caution group to work and also improve coherence and social life within the village. Women can higher their autonomy by managing their business, taking their life under control and be pride of themselves for ensuring a more stable future to themselves and their families.