Lalita K Harijan and Group is crowdfunding to purchase raw material for masala powder business

Lend a little. Change a lot.

Funded
$960.00

Still Requires
$0.00

Fully Funded

1 share = $18 in contribution on average

Our Story

They say entrepreneurs are those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage. After facing many obstacles and hurdles as Devadasis Lalita H, Umavva K and Housavva S have started to see the opportunities around them as ambitious women. Despite being outlawed, the Devadasi system has been hampering and affecting the lives of many girls. Girls, who are married to the temple deity at a very tender age lose out on basic education, happy childhood, proper job, all in all a simple life. They now want their chance at a simple life. Reigning from a small village in Karnataka doesn't stop these women from having big dreams. While 40 year old Lalitha wants to expand her garam masala business, 50 year old Umavva and 46 year old Housavva S wish to expand their buffalo rearing businesses. Like all mothers it is their dream to fulfill the wishes of their children and they are ready to put in as much as work required to achieve their dream. They need a loan of Rs 60,000 to expand their business and accomplish their goals

Partner Details

MASS

Partner since: 01 Jun, 2013
Total amount disbursed: Rs.83,205,000

Mahila Abhivrudhi Maththu Samrakshana Samsthe (MASS), founded in 1987, is a membership organization for Devadasi women in Belgaum, Karnataka. Its vision is: to eradicate the Devadasi system, and empower exploited women trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation under the guise of the Devadasi practice.

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Loan details

Status: Fully Repaid
Lend by: '28 Feb 2014'
Repayment Term: 18 months
Repayment Period: Apr 2014 to Oct 2015
Interest cost to borrower: 11.05% (flat per annum)

Lenders (10)

Sumit

shushant

Lydia

Mark

Jane

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Updates

Lalita Harijan- The woman who earned respect

Written by Pragati Sharma Publish date 12-Sep-2014

The concept of weekly market is pretty renowned in villages in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. Every village has a fixed market day and vendors from all the nearby villages come with their goods to make a good profit. When I reached Chikkodi, the day was just starting and village was alive with the lively vendors setting up their shops. It was a Thursday and enthusiasm of villagers palpable during every market day was infectious.

I was here to meet Lalita Kempavva Harijan, who took a Milaap loan a few months ago to expand her Garam Masala Business. Just like all the other shop keepers, Lalita was busy along with her husband in setting up their shop. They have been doing this business from 25 years now and I wasn't surprised to see Lalita’s familiarity with the quality and prices of all the spices they were selling. She told me, “We are able to make a sale of about Rs. 5000 during one market day and easily make a profit of Rs. 500.” They buy all the spices from Belgaum wholesale and sell it in a total of 5 villages during their respective weekly market days. Taking the loan allowed Lalita to have initial capital required for buying bulk quantities from wholesale and as a result make more profits.

Lalita is a former Devadasi. Unlike all the other borrowers I've met so far, Lalita proudly told me that her former Malik (the partner she had when she was a Devadasi) is her husband. She has a daughter and a son. They have both completed their higher education and are now seeking to learn employable skills such as tailoring, driving etc. Before leaving Chikkodi market, the last glimpse I had was of Lalita, sitting at her shop, happy and content.

Today Lalita is not only financially sound; she also has a happy family and respect. For most of the former Devadasis, respect is a priced possession and Lalita has earned hers.