Toy and Furniture making gives power to Women

Introduction: One of the powerful approaches to women empowerment and rural entrepreneurship is the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs). This strategy has fetched noticeable results not only in India and Bangladesh but world over. SHGs are self-governed, with decisions about production and marketing taken collectively, although the group leader is responsible for identifying potential marketing centers and consumers. Informal groups empower rural women to manage rural industries and make decisions collectively for their common economic interests. The success rate of SHG women entrepreneur‟s is enhanced through proper training programs. This success story throws light on how effective training and regular follow up have impact on the life of Shree Sadguru Sakhi Mandal (SHG) of Sukhesh village of Pardi block of Valsad district of Gujarat.

Formation of SHG: Shree Sadguru Sakhi Mandal (SHG) was formed on 9th November, 2010 at Devji Faliya, Sukhesh with ten women members. Ten members belonged to ST caste. Seven members had some education ranging between 5^th and 9^th class and three member studied till first year of graduation course.

In the beginning, members started saving with Rupees One hundred per month per person. Group undergone training on regular savings and credit, book keeping and importance of formation of SHG.  Soon group started meeting regularly and initiated internal lending which helped them to become supportive to their family. After six months, group had a savings of Rupees Six thousand and also cleared the grading by bank. DRDA further provided revolving fund of Rupees Five thousand

Initiation of Income Generation Activity: After continuous savings and regular meetings among the members, group decided to start some kind of entrepreneur activity to earn money to support their family.  Group on its own had taken an initiative to start an entreprenueal activity on part time basis of “toy and furniture making”. However group was unable market the produce because of poor finishing.

Naynaben Rameshbhai Rohit – the leader was of belief to attain the success in the entrepreneur activity, training on production and marketing activity will play an important role. Group together demanded the training on toy and furniture making. Soon after the training, the SHGs started attracting business with its unique design and professionalism. Group started purchases designer magazine to understand the trend in the market. They also visited various exhibitions at the district and state level. To expand the business and increased business need, bank provided cash credit facility of Rs. one lakh under Mission Mangalam in the year 2012.

Presently, group is equipped to undertake big orders and demand a premium for its unique designed product. The group started distribution of their products in major markets which includes Vapi and Surat market. The defective products are sold in local haat. Furniture is mainly supplied based on orders specific to the client’s needs. Showrooms have also started placing orders in recent times.

Impact: The manufacturing of furniture has certainly contributed to some addition to their household income in the sense that they could get gainful employment without moving from their village. Group has a turnover of Rupees three lakhs /month from furniture activity alone which is a part time activity of women members. The group become sustainable through this entrepreneur activity which uplifted their economic and social standard of living. It has also increased the self-confidence of members and boosted their self-esteem to some extent. They could now interact with the strangers, meet the officials to get the orders and market their products with much ease. They could now proudly proclaim themselves as small entrepreneurs who could succeeded in their collective venture and stand as a model to other rural women interested to pursue such activities.

Success Factors: The success factors behind this collective venture include right aptitude for the task, adequate training, guidance to purchase the necessary equipment and raw material, provision of credit, encouragement of the officials, and sound leadership. Above all, the group cohesiveness and solidarity and their self-management skills contributed to the success of this group activity.