How Ambe Self Help Group Is The Sisterhood That Lifts Up The Women Of Chitrakoot Village In MP

Let’s delve into their story. This is the tale of a Self-Help Group from Satna district, where life was not easy for a considerable period. These women faced challenges and difficulties, making their lives a constant struggle. Managing the family expenses was a difficult task, and worries about the future always haunted them. So, what happened that changed the lives of these women?

Joined an SHG and Started growing

These women realized that they needed to do something to uplift their families and provide a better education and future for their children. Understanding the necessity for a change, they took the initiative to establish a Self-Help Group, foreseeing the potential benefits it could bring to many women facing similar struggles. The aim was to create a facility that would spare impoverished women from unnecessary burdens.

As soon as the women of Chitrakoot village in Satna learned about this opportunity, they joined forces to create their own small Self-Help Group, naming it “Ambe Self-Help Group”. By taking loans from Ajeevika Mission and deciding to advance their work, they accomplished something extraordinary that they had never dared to hope for.

These women took a loan from the Ajeevika Mission to advance their work. They started with a small loan, gradually increasing both their business and the loan amount. Today, these women have transformed their self-help group into the most renowned group in their village.

They began by making a variety of garments, including jackets and many other stylish clothes. People started appreciating the clothes made by these women. They also ensured that what they were creating matched the current style trends, so that people would find their products even more appealing.

As part of the Aajeevika Mission’s program, they set up a stall, showcasing and selling their products

In the program organised by Ajeevika Mission Group in Chitrakoot, Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, various groups, including the Self-Help Groups (SHGs), set up their stalls. Women associated with these groups had several items, including jackets and clothes adorned with symbols associated with divinity.

Preeti Sen, the president of the Ambe Self-Help Group from Pindra village, vividly recounts the experience, saying, “We proudly can say that 12 of our sisters are engaged in the art of tailoring, with full support from our families. We crafted jackets and other clothes. The jackets were priced at Rs 500 and above. We experienced such joy in selling in this program which was never experienced before.”

In the Pindra village of the district, a significant moment for the Ambe Self-Help Group, reflecting the impact of their dedication and craftsmanship was seen. The unexpected sales, generosity and appreciation from all the buyers and the CM, is no less than a dream come true for them. The Chief Minister not only validated their skills but also became a source of motivation, inspiring them to continue their creative pursuits with renewed enthusiasm.

Becoming a member of Ambe SHG uplifted them in many ways

Members of this SHG, Prema Mavasi and Savitri Bahelia, express, “Our hard work has brought colour to our lives. We are happy that we got a loan, and are here in our lives. Before the Aajeevika missions program we didn’t have that much confidence in what we were selling. But this function gave us such confidence that we are now assured that we can achieve anything we want for our families and us. We create various items, including kurta-pyjamas and gowns.”

The government will also make sure to help these women with whatever is required.

One woman from their stall said- “As soon as they put the stalls, people started coming and showed genuine interest. They inquired about the products we make. We presented them with food items like spices, pickles, tea leaf packs, and papad. We also earned more than we expected.”

Women from Ambe SHG, the same SHG, say “Our hard work has paid off. We are happy that we got a chance to showcase our products in such a huge function. it helped us a lot in showcasing our talent and trying out different marketing strategies.”

The stalls set up by the women’s SHG gave them a confidence which is usually missing from a rural woman’s life. It also boosted their morale significantly. It raised their spirits, and women in the district are producing various types of products. This step will empower women associated with SHGs and make them self-reliant. It will also create opportunities for the sale of products through haat markets and marketing.

Ravivar Vichar has made a commitment to bring forth the stories of every such woman and make us aware of their lives.

In this WomensWebXMahilaMoney impact series, we bring you entrepreneurs like these women from Raisen, MP, who had not just the ambition to grow, but took the steps needed to bring their dreams to fruition. Apply for a loan of up to 25 lakhs to fuel your business growth by downloading the Mahila Money App on Google Playstore or visiting the website here.