Bachat Gat (Self-Help Group)
Our Bachat Gat (Self-Help Group) Initiative at Aarya Global Education Forum is at the heart of our community empowerment efforts. “Bachat Gat,” widely known as Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in India, are small, informal associations of individuals, predominantly women, who come together to address their common problems through self-help and mutual cooperation. These groups typically comprise 10-20 members who regularly save small sums of money, which then forms a common fund for lending to members for productive or emergent purposes.
Our initiative goes beyond just financial savings; we integrate comprehensive educational and developmental programs within the SHG framework.
What is Our Bachat Gat
Our Bachat Gat Initiative transforms these grassroots savings groups into vibrant hubs of learning, empowerment, and sustainable development, aligning with our broader mission of education for all.
1) Financial Literacy & Management: We guide Bachat Gats on effective savings habits, responsible lending practices, and maintaining transparent financial records. This includes understanding basic banking operations, micro-credit, and the importance of financial discipline.
2) Skill Development & Livelihood Enhancement: We facilitate training programs tailored to the needs and resources of the group members. These may include vocational skills for income generation (e.g., tailoring, handicrafts, food processing, basic computer skills, sustainable farming techniques), promoting local entrepreneurship.
3) Health & Hygiene Education: We conduct workshops on critical health issues, sanitation, nutrition, maternal and child health, and disease prevention, empowering members to make informed decisions for their families’ well-being.
4) Social & Legal Awareness: We raise awareness about social issues such as women’s rights, child education, gender equality, government schemes, and legal literacy, enabling members to advocate for themselves and their communities.
5) Leadership & Decision-Making: Through regular meetings and collective activities, members develop leadership qualities, communication skills, and the ability to make collective decisions for the benefit of the group and their families.
6) Community Development & Advocacy: Bachat Gats, strengthened by our educational interventions, become powerful agents for local development, collectively addressing community-level challenges.
Benefits of Our Bachat Gat
Our integrated approach to supporting and nurturing Bachat Gats brings about profound and sustainable benefits:
1) Financial Empowerment: Access to micro-credit for urgent needs or small business ventures, reducing reliance on informal moneylenders and fostering financial independence.
2) Enhanced Skills & Knowledge: Acquiring practical vocational skills, financial literacy, and vital knowledge in health and social issues.
3) Increased Confidence & Self-Esteem: Participating in group activities and achieving collective goals significantly boosts individual confidence and self-worth.
4) Social Cohesion & Support: Building strong bonds within the group, providing a crucial social safety net and mutual support system in times of need.
5) Improved Decision-Making: Developing critical thinking and collective decision-making abilities, leading to better outcomes for their families and themselves.
6) Access to Formal Systems: Facilitating linkages with banks, government schemes, and other formal institutions.
Process for Bachat Gat Development
Aarya Global Education Forum implements its Bachat Gat Initiative through a multi-pronged and deeply engaging approach:
1) Group Formation & Mobilization: We work closely with local communities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, to facilitate the formation of new Bachat Gats or strengthen existing ones. We focus on building trust and common understanding among members.
2) Capacity Building & Training:
Skill Development: We organize vocational training workshops based on market demand and local resources (e.g., tailoring, handicraft making, organic farming, digital literacy, basic accounting).
Financial Management: We provide comprehensive training on record-keeping, collective savings, internal lending rules, and transparent financial practices.
Leadership Development: We train group leaders and members in leadership skills, conflict resolution, and effective meeting management.
3) Financial Linkages: We assist Bachat Gats in opening bank accounts and establishing linkages with formal financial institutions (banks, microfinance institutions) to access larger credit for productive purposes and expand their economic activities.
4) Market Linkages & Entrepreneurship Support: We help groups identify potential markets for their products or services, provide guidance on business planning, and sometimes facilitate connections with buyers or larger enterprises.
5) Health & Social Awareness Programs: We conduct regular sessions on health and hygiene, nutrition, family planning, legal rights, and government welfare schemes, often collaborating with local health workers and legal aid organizations.
6) Monitoring, Evaluation & Mentorship: Our field teams regularly monitor the progress of Bachat Gats, provide ongoing mentorship, and offer solutions to challenges faced by the groups. We track key indicators like savings, loans, and income generation.
7) Advocacy & Networking: We advocate for policies that support the growth and sustainability of SHGs at local and regional levels. We also help groups network with each other and with other NGOs or government bodies for shared learning and greater impact.
8) Digital Inclusion: Where feasible, we introduce members to basic digital tools for financial transactions and information access, enhancing their digital literacy.
Documents Required for Bachat Gat Formation
Pending