The visit to MYRADA in India was organized by Tear Fund to enhance partners’ capacities on different strategies used by communities to positively influence their economic, social and political development. MYRADA has been working through Self Help Groups (SHGs) for more than two decades.
MYRADA is a Non- Governmental Organization situated in Mysore District in the Southern Part of the Karnataka State, India. This was one of the poorest states in the past but the SHGs have revolutionized the region with the poorest people teaming up and jointly in addressing their issues in small ways, contributing to sustainable interventions and healthy communities.
I was privileged to join Tear Fund team which visited the Myrada Organization between 23rd August to 5th September 2016. The objective of the visit was to learn from the NGO how it has managed to mobilize the communities in the district to become self – reliant and economically stable in a State which was perceived to be poor in the past.
The concept of Self Help Groups (SHG) has been embraced in the district and communities have mobilized themselves through these groups to address their financial, social & political challenges.
The objectives of the exposure visit were:-
- To understand features of SHG
- To learn from communities on the impact of SHGs on the lives of SHG members and their families
- To appreciate SHG as an empowering tool
- To analyze key concepts of SHG
- To engage promoting agencies on their role in community development
- To understand the management of credit plus activities
- To engage SHG federations to understand the purpose, structure and their functions
- To engage leaders on community managed resource centers
- To appreciate the role of SHGs in networking and collaboration in empowerment and poverty reduction
Learning sessions were facilitated in the morning while afternoons were set aside for field visits. Following is a summary of the filed visits during the period
| Date | Name of town/Village | Purpose of the visit | Remarks | |
| 25.08.2016 | Sanguru | To understand the features of SHGs | There are 75 groups in this village. They are linked with banks | |
| 26.08.2016 | Nanjanayakanahally | To analyze improvement in economic conditions of the members | Initially this was a very poor village but a lot of milestones have been achieved. MYRADA works here with in promoting Children rights. Groups in the village have contributed to improvement of this village | |
| 27.08.2016 | H. Matakere | To understand how SHGs manage leadership and financial systems | Clear understanding of roles and responsibilities quite evident amongst the members | |
| 28.08.2016 | Bullurhundi | To analyze programs mobilized by the community and individuals along with SHGs | SHGs have mobilized the community to improve their village. The programmses in the village have been identified by the government as possible areas to replicate in other villages. | |
| 29.08.2016 | Hansanalu | Analysis of credit plus activities carried out by SHGs | Great initiatives in place. Village members are well informed | |
| 30.08.2016 | Beechanahally | Federations, Structure, roles and responsibilities | Teams were clear on structures and linkages, and what consolidated SHGs are able to achieve | |
| 31.08.2016 | Hunsur | Meeting with Board directors of Jnanachiguru Community management resource centre | The SHGs have transformed this village and different actors including the government are competing to work with them | |
|
01.09.2016 |
Kalanahalla | Youth Development Programme | Exposure on how sponsorship could be used to enhance SHG formation to avoid dependency in a community | |
| Each village had very clear data of their status and documentation on achievements. | ||||
Application of Lessons Learnt to NCCK Work
The learning exposure brought about sustainable strategies which can be employed to contribute to poverty reduction in a sustainable manner. Active participation, inclusiveness, transparency, trust, networking and ownership are areas that we may explore as we embark on Church and Community Development which is the next phase of the CCMP. NCCK will work with the current CCMP facilitators on the next steps to embrace SHG as entry community tool.
I wish to register my sincere appreciation to my organization for granting me time to join this learning exposure and to Tearfund Kenya for considering NCCK to be part of this great learning.
Grace Muthungu; Senior Programmes Officer, Capacity Building for Membership
