CSR

Shahenazbanu and her husband Aiyubbhai have been working as Embroidery laborers for the past 4 years. Their embroidery work earned them only ‌3000 a month. Thus, Aiyubbhai also drives a lorry to run their family of five. A few months back, Shahenazbanu attended an Embroidery workshop organized by SMFG India Credit Khambhat branch. In the workshop, Shahenazbanu learnt different kinds of Embroidery designs and other ancillary items like Zari work, diamond fixing etc. She also learned how to source materials and importantly where and how to sell the finished product. Post the workshop, Shahenazbanu purchased an Embroidery book and learned more designs on her own as well. Shahenazbanu now purchases cloth from the retail market, embroiders and sells the final product to Traders. She has already started earning an additional income of ‌2,500/- to ‌3,000/- monthly. Shahenazbanu and Aiyubbhai are now confident about achieving their dream of providing better education and to their children, ensuring a better future. The entire family is thankful to SMFG India Credit.

Saritha is a 45-year-woman from Namakkal, a district in Tamil Nadu. As the primary breadwinner for her two young children, she faced difficult economic and emotional circumstances after her divorce. The field mobilisers from WORD counselled Saritha and invited her to join the apparel-making training unit of the organised with the support of SMFG India Credit’s Jeevika initiative. Today, Saritha owns her own tailoring shop in Namakkal. Empowered with technical and financial skills, she now employs two more women in the unit due to the rise in demand for her work.

“The Jeevika program has completely transformed me from a person hiding behind closed doors to being the breadwinner for my family.”

The program enabled Saritha to enroll her children in better educational institutions and transformed her economic condition.

Kishan is a 26-year-old youth from the Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh. He did not have the necessary guidance to pursue a sustainable income source. With the intervention of SMFG India Credit’s Gurukul initiative at Bilaspur, Chattisgarh, he received counselling and completed a 35-day residential programme. Equipped with soft skills and technical knowledge of banking and financial services, Kishan started working as an Individual Relationship Officer (IRO) in SMFG India Credit, Saraipali. Today, he works as a Senior IRO and can support his parents and other family members with ease.

“The unemployed youth in the district should join a training like Gurukul to build a positive change in their lives.”

The program enabled Saritha to enroll her children in better educational institutions and transformed her economic condition.

Sumati resides in a slum community in the Kalipatti area of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Her husband is a daily wage labourer who works in the paddy fields in the region. Due to the seasonal nature of farming, the family’s income was unstable. They were unable to meet expenses for contingencies and even to fund their young son’s university fees. Sumati was invited by our team to take part in the beekeeping training organised by our on-ground partner, MYRADA. We supported her in acquiring startup material to rear honey bees. Sumati approached a local farmer with the support of our local volunteers to place her bee box as part of his organic farming initiative. Today, Sumati earns an income from selling the honey extracted from the bee boxes. She has also managed to double her income by installing a super box.

“I’m thrilled that SMFG India Credit and MYRADA involved me in training and helped me secure a fixed source of income. Initially, I was petrified of bees, but with SMFG India Credit’s constant support and handholding, it is now easier to handle them.”

Kabali is a 61-year-old taxi driver from Perambur, Chennai. He experienced Nyctalopia (night blindness) and was unable to see during the evening and night hours. Kabali came to our VCC at Perambur in 2018. It was deduced that he was suffering from cataract in both eyes. He was then advised to undergo an emergency cataract surgery for his left eye. Our trained team at Perambur, through our “Jyoti” initiative brought him to the Sankara Eye Hospital where a cataract surgery with the intraocular lens was performed. With financial support from us, Kabali could completely focus on getting better. With his optical vision fully restored, he continues his business as a taxi driver

Tamizhvani is a 32-year-old private sector employee from Pallipalayam Taluk in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu. The volunteers at WORD identified her during one of their menstrual hygiene sessions in the community. She was not aware of the concept of reusable sanitary pads and was using chemical-based disposable sanitary pads. Like other women in the area, she would dispose of the product in the local river. Initially, Tamizhvani was worried about the health issues that can emanate from the use of reusable pads and the stigma associated with drying them in sunlight in public. She was empowered with accurate knowledge on menstrual hygiene practices and recently requested our team to provide another set for her young daughter.

“I was anxious about drying the pad in sunlight and hiding it from everyone in the community. However, the team helped me understand that this pad does not require sunlight to disinfect. I can use it for many months, and it helps me save money.”

Shahenazbanu and her husband Aiyubbhai have been working as Embroidery laborers for the past 4 years. Their embroidery work earned them only ‌3000 a month. Thus, Aiyubbhai also drives a lorry to run their family of five. A few months back, Shahenazbanu attended an Embroidery workshop organized by SMFG India Credit Khambhat branch. In the workshop, Shahenazbanu learnt different kinds of Embroidery designs and other ancillary items like Zari work, diamond fixing etc. She also learned how to source materials and importantly where and how to sell the finished product. Post the workshop, Shahenazbanu purchased an Embroidery book and learned more designs on her own as well. Shahenazbanu now purchases cloth from the retail market, embroiders and sells the final product to Traders. She has already started earning an additional income of ‌2,500/- to ‌3,000/- monthly. Shahenazbanu and Aiyubbhai are now confident about achieving their dream of providing better education and to their children, ensuring a better future. The entire family is thankful to SMFG India Credit.