New Zealand
Income generating loans
Laxmi’s mother was left with no income or home for her two children when her husband abandoned them. Since receiving an income generating loan from Save the Children New Zealand, Laxmi’s family have the hope of a better life.
This project is part of Save the Children New Zealand’s programme in southern India with a local organization, the Agricultural Development and Training Society (ADATS).
Income generating loans provide vital financial assistance for some of the poorest people in India, known as Coolies. The loans are often used for the purchase of a cow, goats or sheep, creating an income which helps families become financially independent and self sufficient. The children also receive extra schooling so that they get a better start in life. The pass rate for grade 7 Coolie children in this project has increased from just 20% to 70% in the last 3 years.
Save the Children’s work in this programme includes a Dry Land Development project. As the Coolie people are amongst the poorest in society, they are landless. If the land is occupied and cleared, however, the people receive a long-term lease. The possibility of leasing a small piece of land long term makes the world of difference for the Coolie people. It means that they have some means of self sufficiency and can provide for their children. It gives them self respect as well as a means of survival. And, most importantly, it gives them hope that their children may have a better future.
With ADATS, Save the Children is helping Coolie to develop sustainable food production. Within a Coolie Sangha (or community), each family contributes labour during the 100 days of the dry season. For a minimal income, one person from each family helps clear the land and plant crops, providing not only food, but, more importantly, land.
The back-breaking work of clearing the land of rocks and forming dry stone walls and terraces in scorching temperatures over 40°C, provides life-saving security for the whole community.
Save the Children is proud of our work. Whilst emergency aid is necessary in times of crisis, it is sustainable, long-term development work that forms the foundation of Save the Children’s work.
$30 buys a sheep in India for the poorest, single-woman-headed households to generate income.
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