Share
The problem:
In a large country like India, there are millions of remote pockets with little access to the world beyond. At a time of social distancing and isolation, people in these pockets are truly stranded.
Small business owners and retailers are the heart and soul of rural India, creating employment and sustenance at a small, but essential scale. Many of those affected are running deep in debts, and unable to even get new stock to keep their business running. While they wait for long-term relief, there is a crying need for immediate financial aid.
In a large country like India, there are millions of remote pockets with little access to the world beyond. At a time of social distancing and isolation, people in these pockets are truly stranded.
Small business owners and retailers are the heart and soul of rural India, creating employment and sustenance at a small, but essential scale. Many of those affected are running deep in debts, and unable to even get new stock to keep their business running. While they wait for long-term relief, there is a crying need for immediate financial aid.
The bright side:
For the last 10 years, with your support, Milaap has been helping thousands of small businesses (particularly those led by women) in the remotest pockets of India. Together, we have impacted 6 Lakh lives in rural India over the last decade. This means that we have an existing channel for help to flow to those who need it most.
Out of this, we have shortlisted 1000 families whose source of income has been severely affected due to the pandemic outbreak.
The idea is to help each small business owner with a small grant of Rs. 5000 to help them with immediate expenses and solutions.
Why businesses:
Small businesses play an important role creating livelihoods in smaller parts of the country. Businesses led by rural women, in particular, also shape communities and societies by addressing social issues and solving problems of dependence and sustenance.
A small grant could be more than just a temporary solution for these businesses. It can actually help them get back on their feet and translate to a stable source of livelihood for even multiple families relying on the same business.
The digital channel for help that you helped us create for these businesses are their most promising hope in these uncertain times.
Here are some of the beneficiaries we have shortlisted so far:
Microfinance Organisation name: Apani Sahkari (Jaipur, Rajasthan) Donate now!
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
- Bagru Painting- Bagru printing is one of the traditional techniques of printing with natural colour followed by the chippas of a remote place of Rajasthan. The process starts from preparing the cloth to finished printed fabrics through their indigenous methods. Learn more: https://milaap.org/stories/unpopular-hands-behind-the-popular-bagru-print
- Aara tari work/Aari embroidery - Aari work is a type of embroidery which is done on a stretched fabric and stitching the design with a long needle which has a hook in the end. Aari work is known for its elegant thread work that enhances the gravity of hand embroidery
Microfinance Organisation name: Gram Utthan and Mahashakti (Bhubaneswar, Odisha) Donate now!
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
- Integrated fish farming- Gram Utthan with the help of sponsor institutions took up the district of Kendrapara in Odisha to implement the Integrated Fish Farming method.
Learn more: https://milaap.org/stories/integrated-fish-farming - Dhokra art- Dhokra art is essentially stunning metal figurines fashioned from bronze and copper based alloys using a ‘lost wax casting
Learn more: http://kalasamridhi.com/kala-samridhi( run by mahashakti foundation, a field partner of Milaap)
Microfinance Organisation name- Prayas for Development (Gandhinagar, Gujarat) Donate now!
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
- Bandhani Saree making- https://milaap.org/stories/bandhani-livelihood-for-families-of-wadhwan-gujarat
Microfinance Organisation name- Volunteer for Village Development (Ukhrul, Manipur) Donate now!
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
- Handloom work- Ima Keithel (market) in parts of Manipur are all-women run markets and one of the largest in Asia
Learn more: https://milaap.org/stories/ima-keithel-a-place-where-women-voices-are-heard-louder-than-anywhere-else
Microfinance Organisation name- Mahila Abhivruddi Mattu Samrakshana Samsthe (Belgaum, Karnataka) Donate now!
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
Micro business communities supported by our partner and majorly run by women:
- Fruit vendors- Breaking the social shackles, these women have built their own livelihood vending fruits and other food items
Learn more: https://milaap.org/stories/shanta-keeps-her-hopes-alive-and-aims-high
How you can help:
A community we have nurtured over the years is facing grave losses, their lives halted, and their livelihoods at stake. You can help them by making a contribution to Milaap's Rural Businesses Relief Fund. You can donate to individual fundraisers for the causes you want to support, or contribute a lump sum amount to this fundraising campaign. Milaap, as always, will ensure timely delivery of the funds to the ones in dire need of it.
A community we have nurtured over the years is facing grave losses, their lives halted, and their livelihoods at stake. You can help them by making a contribution to Milaap's Rural Businesses Relief Fund. You can donate to individual fundraisers for the causes you want to support, or contribute a lump sum amount to this fundraising campaign. Milaap, as always, will ensure timely delivery of the funds to the ones in dire need of it.
Gram Bikash is a trusted Milaap field partner that carries out micro-finance activities in rural areas of WB to support rural livelihoods
