A pucca house- a dream that came to life

I met Jodanaben Lalabhai Maru 41 and Manjuben Alkeshbhai Maru 36, of Dahod district (Gujarat) on my recent field visit.These women were  funded by Milaap for their bamboo business. When I saw Jodanaben’s pucca house, I was moved by the fact that she had built a house. This was a rare sight for me, as most of the houses in the area were not made of concrete. When I entered the house, her husband was making a bamboo basket. She introduced me to her husband and mentioned about her son being enrolled in a skill training centre. 


With the loan, Jodanaben purchased bamboo sticks that cost her Rs 100 per stick. The coming months mark the festive season, so she wants to make more bamboo products than she usually does. To earn a good profit, she and her husband sit separately in the same bazaar. At times people would visit their house for purchasing broom and big baskets,,commonly used for storing vegetables. With the bamboo business, they earn Rs 10,000,  out of which they are able to save Rs 3500 every month. All her savings are utilised for her mother-in-laws medical needs. “We take her to the government hospital and sometimes private hospital when her condition becomes too bad”, said Jodanaben. So they spend between Rs 2000- Rs 3000 for her medical needs. Other expenses include water and electricity charges that cost them Rs 200 and Rs 2000 respectively in a year. With this family size, it was important for her to earn and learn the art of making bamboo, which she managed to successfully learn after her marriage. Jodanaben is happy that with her earnings she was able to contribute some amount in building a concrete house and also take care of her ailing mother-in-law.


She feels blessed about getting a loan without any hassle as banks have too many formalities and ask for lot of paper work. She, along with her husband, wants to thank all the lenders for supporting their skill and assured me that they have been and will continue paying their instalments without fail.