“Bhena Di Umeed” - Women Empowerment Project
Empowering women is the need of the hour, as it is important to value women's contributions and help them grow socially and economically. “Bhena Di Umeed” is one such project initiated by Umeed, which strives to empower the women of Sangrur, enabling them gain financial independence to support their families and have a better life.
Under this project, Umeed has successfully formed Self Help Groups consisting of 12-14 women from similar economic strata and same village. A 'like' amount every month is contributed by these women into the group's bank account, from which members can take loans, repayable at minimal interest rates. Under the supervision of Umeed’s Team, this loan amount is then used by these women, to start, a sustainable livelihood activity to generate regular incomes. ‘Bhena Di Umeed’ aims at providing easy access to money, for fulfilling their personal needs and saves them from taking loan on high interest from local money lenders.
Though lacking higher education and economically weak, these women are hidden gems of talents in craftmanship and handiwork and according to their interests, are trained by Umeed’s Team comprising of professional motivators and volunteers, who not only help by providing them special training in their field, but also assist them in getting the documentations etc for facilitating their set up.
‘Bhena Di Umeed’ aims to provide family environment to their beneficiaries by organising “Circle Style” meetings for better understanding, such environment also encourages members to share to their domestic grievances.
Taking a step towards providing self-employment and making beneficiaries self-dependent, Bhena Di Umeed has initiated “Work at Doorstep” activities for group members by providing raw materials of stitching, embroidery, crochet work, woolen & woven bags making etc. by coordinating with local vendors from surrounding cities like Ludhiana, Samana, Patiala. Many trained members now earning handsomely, while working from home for 2-3 hours daily.
‘Bhena Di Umeed’ Team also aids the members in Banking, enrolment in various Government schemes like pensions, red copy, Health Cards. All SHG group Members are insured under Pradhan Mantri Jiwan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna (PMSBY).
We also plan to assist the Members to enroll in the Central Government welfare schemes like, Pradhan Mantri Vishav Karma Yojna, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Loan etc. to avail benefits in their set up.
Creating Entrepreneurship
Through ‘Bhena Di Umeed’, Umeed is also planning entrepreneurship opportunities for the children of our SHG Members by setting up Cottage & Village Industry.Many small units like Masala making, Bakery, Banni Dairy, Catering, Atta Chakki, Embroidery work, Pickle & Murabba making, Beauty parlour, Cardboard unit, Animal Husbandry of Goats, Grocery & Cosmetic shops, Xerox & Flex printing, Mobile Repair shop etc. have been identified at micro level. Umeed plans to provide professional training and consultation for those interested, creating entrepreneurship opportunities, and helping them establish themselves to earn a living.
Umeed will initially be financing these projects in a professional manner and will also assist the beneficiaries to avail State and Central Government grants, as well as Banks linkages.