Presented by Suchitra Pattnaik, the Lincoln South Rotary Club Board approved $1,500 to support a nano finance project in the state of Odisha in south-eastern India.
Suchitra has been volunteering for this program which is designed to enable marginalized women to tackle the challenges of poverty and boost their confidence. The program also brings awareness to mental health among the women of slum areas.
In this nano finance system, the women receive interest-free loans to support small business. The women choose a coordinator to manage the distribution of funds and collection on the loans.
The women understand that the sustainability of the system is in their hands. The coordinators and the women feel the ownership of the system and they work together with mutual trust and understanding. This is the goal: "Women Helping Women Through Nano Finance."
We will have an opportunity to hear about the results of our investment and Suchitra's on-site work.