Janasetha Village Savings Centre
Of the many projects handled by Jana Setha Sahana Foundation, the Janasetha Village Savings Centre is one of the most successful .
In this scheme every member becomes a contributing partner. Each member is given a passbook and all deposits and withdrawals are recorded. Minimum deposit expected is Rs. 50/= which is about half a US Dollar. The members are free to deposit any sum of money at their will and they receive an interest on their savings. Each depositor is entitled to receive a loan equivalent to twice the sum that lies to her credit in the account. It is from these savings that the members receive loans or advances as they need.
Loans are granted over the counter on production of the passbooks. When the loan requirement is more than the amount saved, a guarantor who is a member of the women's committee is required in order to approve the loan.
JSSF staff members are always available for advice and guidance on any matters.
Janasetha Village Women's Association
The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the most disadvantaged groups in society. We have therefore helped to develop many women's committees to enable work as self-help groups.
We provide them with education and training in order to help them to establish small income generation projects or cottage industries. We provide loans and constantly monitor and support them until they are established ensuring an added income for the family.
JSSF's Janasetha Village Women's Association is a women's' group which has been formed to upgrade the living standards of village women as well as to bring unity and communal harmony .
This Association has helped women to discover their hidden talents and use these to enhance their living standards. JSSF offers support in two very effective and practical ways. One way is to provide necessary know-how through teaching and training and through providing financial assistance
In addition, this also encourages closeness, friendship and unity in the villages. For instance, when a funeral takes place in the village, the women‘s committee get together to help with the funeral arrangements and offer help to comfort the bereaved. The bereaved are often offered financial assistance, on a grant basis, to cover funeral expenses.
The association also provides loans to its members in emergency situations and to help them start their own self - employment projects.
The regular meetings of the associations provide the women an opportunity to meet together socially and discuss various aspects of their own projects. They also help each other problem solve and to share their experiences. The meetings provide them an opportunity and a place to increase and improve their literary and artistic talents.
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