Womens Micro-Finance Co-operative's

Goats brought with loan from co-operative
Organic cucumber farm

Co-operative Meeting in Kusadevi Village

A bee-keeper showing of his honey - it was delicious!

CDRA looks after several womens co-operatives in remote villages. These operate as micro finance institutes at a village level. The basic break down is that members of the co-operative deposit savings monthly into the co-operative, they can then withdraw a small loan at a much reduced interest rate which they can pay off with their monthly installments. As the villages are all rural the loans are used for agricultural devolepment, usually seed or livestock (goats, cows or buffalo). As CDRA's motto is 'helping people help themselves' the loans must be used for income generation or education. This means they must support the loan application with how they will use this investment to better their lives, and buying a T.V. doesn't cut it. Some examples are taking a small loan to buy seed and fertilizer and selling the crops once they mature or buying a goat and selling the offspring. The co-operatives are run by volunteers from the village who receive literacy and accounting training from CDRA, for many of these women this is the first formal education they have received. In fact many other village women, when they see the benefits their peers are getting from this training are requesting more courses so they can become literate. CDRA is trying to source more funds to hold more literacy classes, and to provide additional capital funding for the growth of the co-operatives. CDRA also provides oversight and ongoing training to all groups.

Several of the village c0-operatives are beginning to source training for their members in organic farming, beekeeping and IPM (Intergrated Pest Management). This all helps improve the standard of living for the villagers. The co-operatives also involve a saving program for children, with children depositing money in a money box that is counted at the monthly meetings. This forms good habits that will last a lifetime. For the last week we have been lucky enough to visit several villages attending their meetings, experiencing wonderful Nepali hospitality and amazing fresh produce cooked superbly. It has been great to hear from the women themselves how beneficial this project has been to them. If anyone wants more infomation on this very worthwhile project or wants to help in any way please get in touch.