The voluntary sector in India has undergone momentous changes over the past years as determined by its steady evolution and growth in defining its unique identity dedicated towards social development. The year 2014-2015 marked a seminal moment in VAMA towards comprehensive growth in the voluntary sector. VAMA has come a long way since its inception and has succeeded in dealing with challenges.

27thyear of

Preparing people to helpthemselves

2014-15

cky&efgyk fodkl lfefr BAL MAHILA VIKAS SAMITI

BAL- MAHILA VIKAS SAMITI (VAMA)9-C, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Usha Colony, Behind Jiwaji ClubGwalior-474009 (M.P. ) INDIAContact No. 0751-2457438, 0751-4072566, 09826299566Email-id bmvs1988@yahoo.co.in, vama1988@rediffmail.comWebsite: http://www.vamaindia.org

VAMA

The voluntary sector in India has undergone momentous changes over the past years as determined by its steady evolution and growth in defining its unique identity dedicated towards social development. The year 2014-2015 marked a seminal moment in VAMA towards comprehensive growth in the voluntary sector. VAMA has come a long way since its inception and has succeeded in dealing with challenges.

2014-15 27th year of

"Preparing people to help themselves"

cky&efgyk fodkl lfefrBAL MAHILA VIKAS SAMITI

BAL- MAHILA VIKAS SAMITI (VAMA)9-C, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Usha Colony, Behind Jiwaji ClubGwalior-474009 (M.P. ) INDIAContact No. 0751-2457438, 0751-4072566, 09826299566Email-id bmvs1988@yahoo.co.in, vama1988@rediffmail.comWebsite: http://www.vamaindia.org

VAMA

2014-15

27th year of

"Preparing people to helpthemselves"The voluntary sector in India has undergone momentous changes over the past years as determined by its steady evolution and growth in defining its unique identity dedicated towards social development. The year 2014-2015 marked a seminal moment in VAMA towards comprehensive growth in the voluntary sector. VAMA has come a long way since its inception and has succeeded in dealing with challenges.

ANNUAL REPORT

cky&efgyk fodkl lfefrBAL MAHILA VIKAS SAMITI

VAMA

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................................. PAGE-02

2. VAMA AN OVER VIEW................................................................................................................... PAGE-03

3. ABOUT VAMA............................................................................................................................... PAGE-04

4. WHERE WE WORK........................................................................................................................ PAGE-06

5. MISSION VALUES AND VISION STATEMENT................................................................................... PAGE-08

6. ORGANISATION STRUCTURE OF VAMA......................................................................................... PAGE-09

7. PROGRAMME UNDERTAKEN BY VAMA......................................................................................... PAGE-10

8. VAMA ANM SCHOOL DATIA......................................................................................................... PAGE-11

9. ACREDITED SOCIAL HEALTH ACTIVIST (ASHA) TRAINING.............................................................. PAGE-12

10. VAMA CONVENT SCHOOL............................................................................................................. PAGE-13

11. RESEARCH STUDIES UNDER TAKEN BY VAMA ...............................................................................PAGE-13

12. VAMA MICRO FINANCE................................................................................................................. PAGE-19

13. TRAINING AND MEETING OF VAMA.............................................................................................. PAGE-22

14. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (IT)................................................................................. PAGE-23

15. CASE STORY................................................................................................................................... PAGE-24

16. AUDIT REPORT 2014-2015............................................................................................................ PAGE-29

17. VAMA IN VIEW OF VISITORS......................................................................................................... PAGE-32

18. OUR CURRENT DONORS AND SUPPORTERS................................................................................. PAGE-33

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TABLE OF CONTENTs

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Message from Executive Secretary:

As always, this year too VAMA successfully touched the uncared communities through various programs

with the support of government and self-generated local contributions.

As we kept the communities engaged in our proposal preparation, implementation, monitoring and

evaluation processes, we were able to address the demands of the disadvantaged more comprehensively.

This year we observed a huge impact of climate change on the disadvantaged communities in their

poverty eradication programs and livelihood sustainability. Considering this we have organized ourselves

in energy conservation and environment preservation practices.

Harnessing our rich knowledge and experience of serving the marginalized, we have strategized to accommodate the most vulnerable and

deprived communities in our plans for capacity building and socio-economic empowerment.

VAMA in its journey of development of disadvantaged sections continues with the support and cooperation of sensitive and responsible

citizens and local grant agencies. I am indebted to our communities and supporters for the year 2014 – 2015 for helping VAMA explore new

arenas. I request continuation of this critical support in future as well. Together we can reach new heights and make productive changes in

the lives of the undeserved. We will ensure strict adherence to regulations ensuring full transparency and accountability.

-

- Indra Bhushan

Struggle for Equality: 27th year journey of VAMA

“You must not worry whether the desired result follows from your action or not, so long as your motive is pure, your means correct”

# Mahatma Gandhi

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5• Loan portfolio: Rs. 22.33 corer average loan size of Rs.7514

• No of groups: 995; Active clients: 2069 members: 5190

• Loans given for dairy, agriculture, sanitation and m a i n t e n a n c e , m i c r o -enterprises and services.

MICROFINANCE PROGRAM(MF Unit)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTPROGRAMS

VAMA ANM/CONVENTSCHOOL

• Women Empowerment• Financial Literacy Health &

Nutrition• N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e

Management• Livelihood Promotion• Rural Education Female

Feticide• Domestic Violence

• School o f fer ing ANM COURSE & PLAY GROUP T0 6th CLASS

• ANM nursing schoolin Datia district for training women to be nurses

• Approved by Indian Nursing Council, New Delhi and recognized by Mahakaushal Nursing Council, M.P

29 donors and funding agencies (PACS-DFID, ICCO, GGP-JAPAN. INDIAN BANK, IGSSS. SBI. BASIX, NABARD, SIDBI. IDBI, CASA, MPVHA, CAPART) Rs 30.68 crores released against sanction of Rs 30.68 crores

Funds

Programs under VAMA

18,128Households

189Villages

47Urban Slums

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About VAMA:

VAMA, a non-profit voluntary organization, aims at establishing an egalitarian society based on rights so that the poor, marginalized and deprived have equal participation in all spheres.

It has been working in the various blocks of Gwalior, Chambal and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh which is mainly characterized by remote geographical outreach and core backwardness.

It is working for the empowerment of dalits, poor and marginalized communities to address their immediate needs and better access to entitlements and rights. Its areas of operations are development and microfinance with the basic objective of helping the underprivileged. It was established in the year 1988 by a team of social workers.

'VAMA' literally means SHAKTI and empowering women, which is exactly the sole motto of the organization. Since 1988, VAMA has been striving to liberate rural women from chronic poverty through its various developmental interventions and activities.

Initially, it struggled for small grants and worked for rural poor of the locality only through various activities concentrated on their health and sanitation, education and livelihood.

ABOUT THIS REPORT

Our Annual Report provides an overview of

the work of the Bal Mahila Vikas Samiti

(VAMA) from April 2014-March 2015.

The Report covers the work of VAMA and

details the joint work from our affiliates.

Financial figures are provided for both the

confederation as a whole for the Secretariat.

VAMA supports increasing calls for greater

accountability from Non-Governmental

Organizations (NGOs) to donors, governments,

partners and communities.

This Report complies with the International

NGO Accountability Charter and the Global

Reporting Initiative (GRI). As a founding

member of the Charter, we are part of an

ongoing process to set up common standards

for International NGOs and to create

mechanisms to report, monitor and evaluate

compliance with those standards.

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In this phase, VAMA experimented with various developmental activities, which helped it and its staff in learning the dynamics of various issues

of rural development. Within the initial five years, VAMA realized that the sustainable development can come only through economic

empowerment of the Women. Thereafter as a strategic step, it started mobilizing women into groups (better known as SHGs) for creating

different development avenues. Many women SHGs were formed in this period and, they were convinced that financial avenues created by these

groups can help them in developing their economic base through some income generating activities. These SHGs developed their habit of

Savings and also started internal credit circulation. It was a learning point for VAMA how poor women can make use of such small credit in a

judicious way. Realizing the zeal of the women for taking up economic activities and their ability to utilize and repay loan funds, it tried to provide

loan assistance to its SHGs. By 2005 it was able to mobilize loan funds for this cause from institutions such as NABARD, FWWB, ICICI BANK LTD. etc.

and started giving small loans to the SHGs for supporting economic activities. Such transactions not only helped the groups for better utilization

of finances, but also spread the message to other women who voluntarily made groups and approached VAMA to avail support from it.

Today, on the basis of the same principles and practices, VAMA has become one of the leading MFIs in the state of Madhya Pradesh, reaching out

to more than 10000 households. At present, VAMA is not only providing financial support to the rural families, but is also helping form new

enterprises in its area through larger loans and technical inputs for starting micro enterprises.

Rights in crisis:

All women and men in humanitarian crises are assured both protection and the assistance by VAMA, regardless of who or where they are or how

they are affected, in a manner consistent with universal human rights.

Gender justice:

Many more women will gain power over their lives and live free from violence due to efforts by VAMA. This was achieved through changes in

attitudes, ideas and beliefs about gender relations and through increased levels of women's active engagement and critical leadership in

institution and decision making processes.

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WHERE WE WORK

Works of VAMA

VAMA works on the below right based framework:

· The right to sustainable livelihood· The right to basic social service· The right to life and security

Economic Justice:

More women will realize their right to secure and sustainable livelihoods.

Essential Services:

The millennium development goals for essential services will be achieved, and people living in poverty, especially women and girls will realize their rights to accessible and affordable healthcare, education, water and sanitation. VAMA has also created women entrepreneurs through its micro finance program.

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As part of promoting microfinance, the organization has formed over 1420 groups of more than 16,350 members covering 189 villages and 47 urban slums of Gwalior district. To motivate women for regular meetings and to inculcate banking habits, the organization has extended credit facilities largely for self-employment and productive purposes like farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, goat rearing, small shop-keeping and small scale production.

VAMA has launched an innovative pilot project on financial literacy under which more than 6000 poor and marginalized women of rural areas and urban slums have been educated on financial management successfully as a result of which more of SHGs and women groups are participating in financial literacy programs. NRHM & RCH (Reproductive & child health activities) programs are in force in Datia as the organization is approved as a mother NGO by the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Madhya Pradesh.

The organization is successfully running ANM nurse training School in Datia District. The organization has done Targeted Intervention (TI) project supported by Madhya Pradesh Aids Control Society in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts. VAMA has organized Skill Development Program (SDP) on Sanitary Napkin Making in the villages of Morar block.

VAMA has also completed community based Natural Resource Management program benefiting 469 families of dalit communities.

VAMA is providing its support on mother & child health issues in co-ordination with district health society, Datia. VAMA has experience on various trainings like the issues of women empowerment, training of ASHAs, Panchayati Raj issues, MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and other social & financial issues by experienced trainers.

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MISSION, VALUES, VISION STATEMENTS:

MISSION“Preparing people to help

themselves”VISION

“Classes, exploitation & injustice free, peaceful & enlightened Society”

VALUESValues are timeless principles that guide an organization. They set the norms of behavior for everybody in the organization. These values can be the basis of competitive advantage but this is not the reason for following them. Instead they are deeply held beliefs and are meant to be expressed through day-to-day behavior. These are the guiding principles that preserve our commitment to excellence and sustain our long term viability. VAMA pursues the following as its core values:1. Accountability 3. Professionalism 5. Commitment2. Transparency 4. Effective team work & respect for all 6. Gender equality

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Organization Structure:

The Governing Body forms the highest authority within the organization. It consists of 11 members.

The GB mainly consists of Development Practitioners, Professionals, Intellectuals, Activists and Academicians. It is laudable that such broad-based bodies have been set up, in order to advise and support the VAMA’s Executive Secretary and its staff.

As an organization VAMA functions democratically and is being managed by its GB. Most of the GB members are drawn from the local areas and are working collectively for the development of the larger critical mass.

There is designated project Manager (MF & Livelihood), Manager Finance, Manager HR, Accounts, MIS Coordinator, Chief Operation Manager, Documentation Coordinator, and Branch Manager & Cashier.

ExternalAuditor's

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OUR STRENGTH:

NGOs’ first priority should be to support and encourage frontline staff to contribute effectively to other people’s efforts. Frontline

staff is often the most important factor in delivering high quality work. We depend on them to develop relationships with local

people and other collaborators, make judgments about what to do and provide appropriate assistance.

Managing frontline staff is crucial for our NGOs' performance. We need to support them to work in a flexible, responsive way. This

has implications for all stages of human resource management. For instance, NGOs should recruit frontline staff for their values

and judgment as well as technical competencies, and provide training and guidance in these areas.

It has been noted that training should be provided on

a demand basis, rather than on a supply basis,

supporting staff 's own enquiry and development. We

provide flexibility and support to respond to and

empower collaborators. A coaching style of

management can enable this, helping staff make good

judgments , as well as discussing their performance in

relation to pre-determined targets.

An authoritarian style, where staffs are expected to do what they are told, is unlikely to work. Our NGO work is about putting

personal values into practice.

It is often not intuitive to 'help people help themselves' and respect their autonomy, rather than trying to solve problems for them.

Staff may need continual encouragement and opportunities to deepen their understanding of these values. Our management

systems strike a balance between control and support. They should allow a reasonable levelof decision making and flexibility at the

local level.

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VAMA ANM SCHOOL :

School life is as much about a lifestyle to gain

academic success as it is about grooming

one's personality. For the students it is the

start of a new era, maybe moving out of

home and a considerable investment of

their time, money and energies to achieve

their dreams.

To maintain excellence in academics and to

develop interdisciplinary skills for secured

and contended future of children, VAMA

ANM/GNM / CONVENT SCHOOL ,Datia

came into existence in 2012. Sh. I.B. Verma,

the Chairman of Vama Group of Colleges

laid the foundation stone at a sprawling

campus of over 5 acres of land, to fulfill his

dream of providing education to the children

of poor and of lower socio-economic

backgrounds. Vama Group of Colleges is inspired

by the philosophy of 'Service to Mankind'.

Vama Group of Colleges is a paradise for learning as it is specifically designed to create a stimulating atmosphere and being located at

a prominent site that is 6 kms from Railway Station as well as 8 kms from Main Bus Stand at Gwalior Jhansi Road, Gram Gandhari, and

Datia(MP). VAMA decided to start ANM Training School to train women from rural areas of district Datia in Nursing.

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ACREDITED SOCIAL HEALTH ACTIVIST (ASHA) TRAINING :

VAMA has been selected as the District Training Site to conduct the ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) 6-7 module training in Datia and has planned training program of 16 batches in first round & 22 batches in the second round. One of the key components of the National Rural Health Mission is to provide every village in the country with a trained female community health activist ASHA. ASHA is selected from the village itself and is trained to work as an interface between the community and the public health system. Through the support of VAMA, ASHA creates awareness on health and mobilizes the community towards determinants of health such as nutrition, basic sanitation, information on existing health services and the need for timely utilization of health and family welfare services. Their tasks include motivating women to give birth in hospitals, bringing children to immunization clinics, encouraging family planning (e.g. surgical sterilization).

They must primarily be female residents of the village that they have been selected to serve, who are likely to remain in that village for the foreseeable future. Married, widowed or divorced women are preferred over women who are yet to marry since Indian cultural norms dictate that upon marriage a woman leaves her village and migrates to that of her husband. They must have class eight education or higher, preferably be between the ages of 25 and 45, and are selected by and accountable to the gram Panchayat (local government). If there is no suitable literate candidate, a semi-literate woman with a formal education lower than eighth

standard, may be selected. The working area is Datia district & we have selected Asha's from

Bhander, Indergad & Unnao. In F.Y. we have conducted 2 trainings for 6-7 module, 1st round & 7 trainings for 6-7 module 2nd round.

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VAMA Convent School:

VAMA Convent School was inaugurated in F.Y 2015 at NH-75 Jhansi Road, Datia Madhya Pradesh.

The area of gram Gandhari in Datia is encircled by the population of a poor community from

backward classes and is leading their life below poverty line. It is very difficult for the community

to even think about sending their children to a standard school. The need of such school was felt

by Bal- Mahila Vikas Samiti (VAMA) and substantial steps were taken for developing VAMA

Convent School. The school is serving Play Group to standard 8th to more than 19 villages.

The school's features truly compete with a good standard public school in a metro city with a

modern and eco-friendly environment. VAMA Convent is a co-educational English medium ultra

modern school with campus of 5 acres, well furnished classrooms, computer labs & library,

transport facilities from far flung areas, activities oriented, learning by doing concept for play group to

6th standard.

RESEARCH & Studies :

Jayeka-Rajghat canal study : VAMA took an Impact study of Irrigation project.

on the Jayeka-Rajghat canal in F.Y. 2014-15 with support of NABCONS-NABARD

consultancy serviceS. 20 villages from District Bhind, Datia & Shivpuri have been

covered in the study. The study is about the analysis of the condition of farmers

with respect to crop production and standard of living before & after construction

of Rajghat Canal. VAMA found major changes in the conditions of farmers living in

that area. After construction of Rajghat canal the production of crops have

enhanced and farmers are getting regular supply of water than before. They are

able to produce different crops and their standard of living has also enhanced.

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STUDIES FOR Agriculture Technology Management Agency(ATMA) :

VAMA conducted seven days ATMA study in Gwalior region under the observation and guidance of NABCONS, a consultancy of NABARD.

In ATMA studies we covered 14 Villages of Morar

and Dabra Block of Gwalior. The topic of study is

“Demonstration and promotions of various tools

and techniques for enhancing the production of

Rabi and Kharif Crops in remote areas”. Our NGO

conducted 60 programs in the region in which

we taught the farmers about the various

methodologies for enhancement of production

of various crops , i.e. Mustard,

Grams, Wheat and Soybeans. We explained

farmers about effective use of pesticides,

g e r m i c i d e s , a n d v a r i o u s a d v a n c e d

methodologies of irrigation. Our study noted

that as per the collected data, after the study

farmers used various fertilizers, pesticides, and

various irrigation techniques which enhanced

their capability of improving their yield of crop.

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A SURVEY ON ANNUAL STATUS OF EDUCATION REPORT(ASER):

The word ASER means impact in Hindi. If development programs are to lead to desired

outcomes, their impact on the ground needs to be regularly assessed. ASER Centre was

established as an autonomous assessment, survey, evaluation and research unit within the

Pratham network. ASER Centre's mission is “measure to understand; understand to

communicate; communicate to change”. ASER is the biggest survey held in a year to know that

how many children are enrolled in schools & what they learned in schools. In F.Y. 2013-14 VAMA

& ASER came together and successfully done a survey to find out about basic primary education

of children in Gwalior and Datia .In this Survey 20 households were selected. The survey was held

on children in the age group Of 3-16 to know their ability to read and their basic knowledge of math,

Hindi & English.

REINFORCING WOMEN FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVLIHOOD (AWP) :

The project aims to capacitate Gram Sabha with the effective participation of women in

Panchayati Raj institutions. It includes trainings on awareness and capacity building of

elected women, representatives of Panchayats and about 73rd constitution

amendment act.The objective was to strengthen Panchayats as elected bodies as well

as to improve their capacity in ensuring gender equality in Gram Sabhas. This project

also empowers women economically and socially and the representatives also gain

benefit from the training programs.

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SUSTAINABLE OPTION FOR UPLIFTING LIVELIHOOD (SOUL):

Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS) is a non-profit organization working with

the mandate for a humane social order based on truth, justice, freedom and equity.

Established in 1960, IGSSS works for development, capacity building and

enlightenment of the vulnerable communities across the country for their effective

participation in development. The project area is 10 villages of Vijayapur block,

Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh. The Project aim is to provide sustainable

livelihood to the poor & vulnerable community. The livelihood programs of IGSSS

broadly focus on the aspects of land rights, land development, ensuring food

security through service delivery, improved production, and connecting villagers to

MNREGA schemes & social security schemes, capacity building development of micro

plans in villages etc. Significant emphasis is also being given on linking the communities

with provisions of livelihood finance. These efforts will result into increased access to

adequate nutrition by landless and marginal families and application of low cost approach in

supplementary nutrition by Panchayat/Aganwadi centers.

SHG's BANK LINKAGE :We run a project SHPI which is supported by NABARD. SHPI project is for promotion,

training, savings and credit linkage of 300 new SHGs constituting 150 SHGs in Morar

block of Gwalior district and 150 SHGs in Datia block of Datia district. The project

period will be 3 years of which the first 2 years will be for promotion and credit

linkage of 300 SHGs. The third year will be for handholding the SHGs where the NGO

will have to take care of the SHGs after credit linkage in the form of refresher training

for maintenance of books and handholding so as to make the SHGs self-sustaining.

VAMA has a rich experience in SHG formation with 1869. SHGs formed amongst

which 178 SHGs have savings accounts opened and credit linkages with banks.

VAMA has opened some 8000 a/c's for financial literacy program. In F.Y. 2013-14 we

opened 53 a/c's of SHGs in Gwalior district (Dabra and Morar Blocks) and 53 a/c's SHGs in Datia District (Datia and Unnao Blocks).

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JLG BANK LINKAGE:

In F.Y. 2014-15 VAMA & NABARD started a program Named JLG Bank Linkage program for three years in 7 districts Bhind, Morena, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Tikamgad & Guna of Madhya Pradesh. The target is to promote 1,000 JLGs, open up saving accounts into Bank & provide credit to them from Bank. The project period will be for a total period of 3 years. The program is started from January - 2015 and 35 JLGs has been formed & credit linked with IDBI Bank.

“CLEAN A” PROJECT BASED ON SANITATION:FINISH stands for “Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation & Health”. It was conceptualized with an objective of enabling the emergence of a rural society whose health is improved not only through better sanitation facilities but also by improved knowledge and awareness of the concept of “Total Sanitation.” The project is name is CLEAN-A project for sanitation, supported by FINISH SOCEITY.

CLEAN : A PROJECT ON WASH :

In this we project we aware & educate rural & urban slum people about sanitation. We make them understand that it is harmful to go out for toilet, especially for women & children. There are many diseases like malaria, cholera and jaundice occurring due to this. We also disseminated information on how durable bathrooms can be made in less amount.

We also connected people with the schemes of government for sanitation. In F.Y. 2013-14 we constructed 1,818 toilets in Morar Block in Gwalior District (M.P.).

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FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM:

This project is to make people understand financial literacy and to help the poor change their attitude towards money. In F.Y. 2013-14, VAMA took the initiative towards development of

people in the 3 districts namely, Datia, Sheopur & Morena. Instead of living or thinking on day to day basis, we make them think about their life needs, and inspire them to stop making impulsive financial decisions. Developing the habit to think before borrowing, managing finances is also a part of this program. It consists of three parts. Financial Knowledge Building program consists of knowledge building about importance of saving regularly, small amounts and power of compounding and usage of insurance to minimize risk. Financial skill building program includes the activities of building skills of preparing budgets, financial plan and interest calculation and increasing financial literacy in rural areas. The Financial literacy program is converted into a movement in which various activities are organized including nukkad natak show, running a poster campaign, organizing classes, developing financial literacy operation strategy, developing MIS, formation & training of SHG/JLGS and PIMC meeting.

SELF HELP GROUPS’(SHG) leadership training:

With the support of NABARD, VAMA organized one day training on “SHG leadership & membership development training” in district Datia in village Jhadiya-block Unnao & Sarsai-block Bhander and in Gwalior block Morar, village Bilheti twice. The topic of training is increased leadership quality in SHGs leaders. About 50 participants participated in each training. The topic of training is increased leadership quality in SHGs members. In training VAMA trainer described the role of VAMA & NABARD in formation of SHGs. They told the

benefit of SHGs formation & how to run a SHG successfully & connect poor women to SHGs and provide them loan through bank at low rate of interest so that they can be free from high rates of interest from lenders. VAMA trainers also addressed how women can easily save money in SHGs & make a strong future. The trainer said that four things compulsory to run a SHG are: regular meeting, regular savings, internal transaction & accounting of savings on a regular basis. VAMA trainers also provided knowledge of financial literacy, like how to control unwanted expenses & save money in bank.

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SHAMDASANI FOUNDATION:

The Shamdasani Foundation is to serve the under-privileged and destitute in India. It supports

orphanages, schools for the handicapped, homes for aged-blind, health centers, hospitals, and rural self-help groups. Everyone should have the opportunity to lead a productive life, with self-esteem and hope. Unfortunately, the burden of poverty and misfortune so often robs communities of the basic essentials for survival. The Shamdasani Foundation is a charitable trust which is work for education of poor & needy children. It has been established in Hong Kong in 1968 by Mr.R.H. Shamdasani. It is registered with charity commissioners both in Hong Kong, and in India. Over the decades it has, in its own small way, tried to alleviate some of the suffering and misery of the needy in India. VAMA is associated with

Shamdasani foundation since 2012.

VAMA'S MICRO FINANCE:

Microfinance is a source of financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses lacking access to banking and related services. The main mechanisms for the delivery of financial services to such clients are relationship-based banking for individual entrepreneurs and small businesses; and, microfinance is used to describe the supply of financial services to low-income employees, which is closer to the retail finance model prevalent in mainstream banking. In the last one decade, the Micro-Finance sector has emerged as an effective tool towards the elimination of poverty in India. The poor have so far not been able to procure loans from the commercial banks. The reasons are many – the banks lacking remote rural presence, persons don't know the procedures of these banks, the apathetic attitude of the bank officials, not

able to fulfill the conditions or rules required to get the loan approved etc. In these circumstances, the micro-finance initiatives are making this process easy for the poor. Now, the poor residing in remote rural areas are able to obtain loans from Micro-Finance Institutions (MFI) to fulfill the necessity of small business requirements and for other educational and health purposes. Micro-finance initiatives, SHGs (Self help Groups) or JLGs (Joint Liability Group) are formed for savings purposes and also arrange for small credits. In this way, Micro-finance has proved to be effective in economically uplifting the poor class. VAMA entered in to Micro-Finance sector in July 2006, about 18 years after its initiation of social work in the work area. It means that the organization had made necessary preparations in these years before it started disbursing micro-financial credit to the people. Keeping poverty in mind VAMA felt to design three major components of promoting microfinance, livelihood improvements and capacity building for primary and secondary stakeholders to bring them into the mainstream of development.

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A Living

Since its inception, VAMA concentrated on forming and strengthening SHGs and

promotion of saving habit in poor women. In its later stage the NGO felt about organizing the Joint Liability Group (JLG) through which it provides loans. VAMA operates its microfinance program through SHG & JLG model. In SHG, it consists of 10-20 rural women and JLG 5-7 women to form a group. At present it has a linkage of 947 groups of covering more than 189 villages & 49 urban slums of Gwalior district. It started its loan disbursement operation in July 2006 and has gross disbursed loans worth 213,879,100 to 19,482 members. It is committed to provide financial literacy and credits for self-employment, livelihood and other financial and technical assistance to the poor and excluded in this region.

Ways in which poor people manage their money

VAMA argues that the basic problem poor people as money managers face is to gather a

'usefully large' amount of money. Children's schooling may be funded by buying chickens and raising them for sale as needed for expenses, uniforms etc. Because all the value is accumulated before it is needed, this money management strategy is referred to as 'saving up'. Often, people don't have enough money when they face a need, so they borrow. A poor family might borrow from relatives to buy land, or from a moneylender to buy rice, or from a micro-finance institution to buy a sewing machine. Since these loans must be repaid by saving after the cost is incurred, VAMA calls this 'saving down'. The point is that micro-credit is addressing only half the problem, and arguably the less important half: poor people borrow to help them save and accumulate assets. Micro-credit institutions should fund their loans through savings accounts that help poor people manage their myriad risks. Practitioners and donors from the charitable side of microfinance frequently argue for restricting micro-credit to loans for productive purposes—such as to start or expand a micro-enterprise.

Benefits & Limitations:Micro financing produces many benefits for poverty stricken, or low- income households. One of the benefits is that it is very accessible. Banks today simply won't extend loans to those with little to no assets, and generally don't engage in small size loans typically associated with

micro financing. Through micro financing small loans are produced and accessible. Micro financing is based on the philosophy that even small amounts of credit can help end the cycle of poverty. Another benefit produced from the micro financing initiative is that it presents

opportunities, such as extending education and jobs. Families receiving micro financing are less likely to pull their children out of school for economic reasons. As well, in relation to employment, people are more likely to open small businesses that will aid the creation of new jobs. Overall, the benefits outline that the micro financing initiative is set out to improve the standard of living amongst impoverished communities. work effectively.

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The ability of poor people to save may also fluctuate over time as

unexpected costs may take priority which could result in them being able to

save little or nothing. Rates of inflation may cause funds to lose their value,

thus financially harming the saver. There were three key factors that

triggered the growth in domestic microfinance:

1. Change in social welfare policies and focus on economic development and

job creation at the macro level.

2. Encouragement of employment, including self-employment, as a strategy

for improving the lives of the poor.

3. The increase in the proportion of Latin American and Asian immigrants

who came from societies where microenterprises are prevalent.

Long-term, sustainable impact on women, households and communities of the microfinance program of VAMA

Impact of some of the other development programs under VAMA such as financial literacy and Asha training programs have also been discussed

here. VAMA's Microfinance (MF) program gives loans to women for the following purposes: dairy, agriculture, microenterprises, services and

house repair & maintenance. As of 2012, VAMA has provided access to capital to 19,482 low-income households in 191 villages and 47 urban

slums in Chambal region of Gwalior district, MP. Currently the marketing for the microfinance program is through grass root marketing, word-of-

mouth and client recommendations.

Promotion, training, savings and credit linkage of 300 new SHGs is being done constituting 150 SHGs in Morar block of Gwalior district and 150

SHGs in Datia block of Datia district. Third year will be for handholding the SHGs where the NGO will have to take care of the SHGs after credit

linkage in the form of refresher training for maintenance of books and handholding to make the SHGs self-sustaining. VAMA has a rich

experience in SHG formation with 1869 SHGs formed amongst which 178 SHGs have savings account opened and credit linkages with bank.

VAMA has opened some 8000 a/cs. for financial literacy program despite its MFI operations. VAMA decided that proposal on grant assistance

project for SHPI to NABARD - SHPI project will be for 1000 SHGs in Gwalior district (Dabra and Morar Blocks) and 1000 SHGs in Datia District

(Datia and Unnao Blocks).

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Training and Meetings in F.Y. 2014-2015S.No. Training/workshop/meeting Name Organized By Venue

2 Partner Field Review Rang-De Bangalore

3 Seminar on Rural Finance NABARD New-Delhi

4 Labour Budget Plan CASA Bhopal

5 Quarterly Review Meeting IGSSS Rajasthan

6 State Level Meeting cum Workshop NABCONS Bhopal

7 Aser Training Pratham Foundation Bhopal

8 Pitra Satta Gender Samdrishti Training CASA Bhopal

9 Mutual Account Ability Development & AGM meetings VANI Nagpur

10 Partners Meeting CASA Bhopal

11 Zonal level workshop on Financial Inclusion & MFI NABARD Bhopal

12 C.F.T. Training IGSSS Gwalior

13 Training of Trainers Mahatma Gandhi Sewa Ashram Gwalior

13 Local Capacity Peace Orientation Training CASA Gwalior

14 Social Safety & joint labour relly CASA New-Delhi

15 Asha training TOT CM & HO Jabalpur

16 Labour Budget & Partner Meeting CASA Bhopal

17 FCRA Renewal workshop CASA Bhopal

18 Meetings for Farmer IGSSS odisha

19 Orientation Training Rang-De Bangalore

20 Meeting on Climate Change CASA Indore

21 SHG/JLG Workshop NABARD Tikamgad

22 TOT of Financial Literacy Rang-De Gwalior

23 Food security workshop CASA Bhopal

24 SHG Bank Linkage Meeting NABARD Gwalior (Morar)

25 SHG Bank Linkage Meeting NABARD Bhitarwar

26 Micro finance development meeting NABARD Gwalior

27 Micro finance & income generation Review RMK Indore

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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (IT)

VAMA has established an efficient Management of Information System (MIS) and succeeded in having a fully computerized MIS of MF and program unit . Earlier, 'EMPOWER’ Software was installed at the HO as basic for testing purposes and later adopted 'Micro Financer's Software.

Presently we have adopted EXCELLENCE ' from Savvy Solution Pvt. Ltd., Jabalpur (MP), and process of transactions is going on effectively. Moreover in 02 Branches VAMA has fully computerized MIS System including HO.

Besides, VAMA has deployed 06 nos of operators for systematic management of the MIS System and WIFI campus for managing this huge computer infrastructure. In accounts department, we work on Tally ERP-9.

• VAMA Samachar – News Letter• Empowering Women & Enriching Lives Magazine• Mahilao Ke Haq Mai – Magazine• MF SCAN

PUBLICATIONS

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Case Study :

Renu Jatav and her husband Vijay had not been able to complete schooling due to monetary constraints. But they wanedt to see their two daughters as graduates. For this, Vijay worked hard as a labourer and his wife wanted to take up dairy farming to help add to the family income. For this, she needed to buy a buffalo that costed about Rs.15000/- and she needed a sum of Rs.8000/- as a loan with the remaining amount coming from her savings. Renu was confident of reaping a good return with her efforts and hoped that Rang De would provide her a loan for Rs.8000/-.

Renu lived in Ratwai village with her husband and two children. One of them was a newborn and the other was a little girl studying in nursery. Renu wanted to educate them to the highest possible level so that they do not have to live the life Renu and her husband were living. Her husband was a laborer and Renu bought a buffalo with Rang De support and now she sells its milk for Rs.30 per liter. With multiple incomes, they now manage to live a simple life.

Kalavati Jatav :

Kalavati Jatav had been doing vegetable cultivation for the past 2 yrs. She then sold her

vegetables door to door to earn an income. Her husband worked in a hotel and their collective income was not enough to meet their needs and educational expenses of their three children. Kalavati Jatav wished to increase her earnings by investing a sum of Rs.8000/- in her business. If this amount was received as loan, her increased earnings would help her repay the loan too in time. She approached VAMA's Rang De to help her out. Later,when we met Kalavati Chauhan at her modest home in a village near Gwalior (M.P.), she was forthcoming about the difference that Rang De donors had made to her family's existence. Her 5-member family was dependent on income from labor work; which was inconsistent and fetched very little. Although they had land to cultivate vegetables, income from this business was also erratic. All in all, the family's multiple efforts to elevate themselves above poverty were sapping their energies but yet not fetching additional income. Support from Rang De provided her a loan worth INR 8000 to streamline her 2-year old vegetable- cultivation business. The loan eased her financial constraint partly, and she managed to ensure that her children's education is not interrupted due to lack of funds. The family's monthly income increased by INR 2000 and their monthly savings by INR 500. With experience and Rang De on her side, she hoped to become a 'specialist' in onions & garlic. These have high demand and come with a longer shelf-life - both are advantages that she wants to benefit from. With further support, she intended to purchase these in bulk and improve her earnings from the business.

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Aganwadi at Khurka:

It is a satisfying sight at Khurrka village, with kids playing and eating nutritious

porridge. There are over 80 kids in this village and now they can have good and

healthy meal. However this was not the case in 2013. There were severe cases

of malnutrition among kids under 6 years of age and at the same time there

was no place for shelter and vaccination programs for pregnant women. It

was identified in the micro plan that the village had no proper Anganwadi

as a result of which children had no access to nutritious food. It was

decided on priority to get an Anganwadi constructed and get it functional.

However the problem was that there was no government land which could

be used for the construction of the Anganwadi. As a result, entire scheme

suffered a major roadblock. It was when Raghunee Aadivasi took the

initiative and came in front, the Anganwadi was constructed.

Success story:

This case serves as a classic example of a success story, because an Anganwadi was also built at Mohanpur village during the project duration.

In Mohanpur also the land was donated by a villager and when this came into light at Khurka, Raghunee was inspired and motivated and took

the lead for the betterment of the entire society and thought of the village above himself. This clearly demonstrates the success of the project

and tells us how positive things influence and motivate the society in a positive manner.

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Before construction of Toilet:

“Mrs. Ganga w/o Mr. Ramtar Dhanuk, 42 years old lady lived in the area named Nimmaji ki Kho, Lashkar Gwalior (M.P.). Her husband was a driver

and earns Rs. 4,000/- per month. She also did labour work & earnt Rs. 2,000 monthly. She had three kids at her home, 2 sons & 1 daughter. Her

daughter was a 16 years grown up girl. The problem was that she doesn't have toilets at her home. In the morning they were supposed to go out

for toilet openly. The farm was far from her home. She felt uneasy and was also concerned about the safety of her daughter. Also, there was the

worry about hygiene & cleanliness for her family. She also felt guilty when guests came. The monthly income was not sufficient to invest money

in a toilet. One day she came across VAMA's personnel's & shared her problem with them. VAMA helped her realize the importance of sanitation

& hygiene and having toilet at own home. With the help of “Habitat for Humanity India Trust”. VAMA gave Rs. 14,000 as a loan for 1 year for

construction of a toilet.

“Village Decades to bring sanitation to home”

“Being dirty had to end”

Basic Detail:

Name of the Borrower : Mrs. Ganga w/o Mr. Ramatar

Dhanuk

Age : 42 years

Sex : Female

No. of Kids : 2 Sons & 1 Daughter

Group Name : Ganga JLG

Occupation of Borrower : Labour Work in Factory

Family Income : 6,000 per Month

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After construction of Toilet:

Mrs. Ganga & her family are a living more respectful life. Now she is not to worry about the health, hygiene & security

about her daughter and family. She also welcomes guests to her house cheerfully. She is very much thankful to VAMA.

She said “After construction of the latrines, I am free from the worry about security of my daughter and sons and also

diseases. Now I & my family can live a respectful life in society. We are not educated much, but Bal-Mahila Vikas Samiti &

Habitat for Humanity India gave not just a loan but also respect in the society.''

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“being dirty had to end”

Name of the person/home owner: Pinki w/o Raju

Kushwaha,

Age: 25,

Sex: Female,

Marital status: Married,

Education:

Illeterate,

Occupation: Stiching Work

Income: 2000 per Month

Family background:

No of family members: 05

Children in family: 03

Any disability in the family: No

Problem Statement and solution:

“Pinky w/o Raju Kuswaha” in the area named Morar Block “ChhoteBaba Ki Pahadiya, Girwai” was very concerned about her children as they were supposed to go on the hills which are quite polluted. Because of the pollution, children were affected by diseases. And they even could not attend school regularly. She was upset by her children's health.“HFH India”, Finish Society & VAMA helped her realize the importance of sanitation. With the help of “HFH India” she decided to construct toilets.

Now her children are free to go school regularly. Pinki said: “My difficulty cannot be measured, we had lost all hope &faith in almighty & were just surviving without any hope, but when he heard about project “SWACH' it re-kindled our hearts & mind to fight our life again & take it forward. We are not educated much, but we are indebted to Bal-Mahila Vikas Samiti (VAMA) & Habitat for Humanity India for such a massive initiative of providing sanitation to people like us.”

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BALANCE-SHEET (As on 31st March 2015)

BALANCE SHEET AS AT MF UNIT PROGRAM UNIT CONSOLIDATED

(1) SOURCES OF FUNDS :

(A) CAPITAL A/c.

Opening Balance 9,587,714.70 6,689,734.10 16,277,448.80

Reserves and Surplus 217,965.87 1,462,773.28 1,680,739.15

(2) LOAN FUNDS:

(a) Secured Loans 14,710,733.38 0.00 14,710,733.38

TOTAL 24,516,413.95 8,152,507.38 32,668,921.33

II. APPLICATION OF FUNDS:

(1) FIXED ASSETS

(a) Gross Block 13,028,115.96 9,212,714.55 22,240,830.51

(b) Less : Depreciation / Sale of Assets 190,222.83 118,049.39 308,272.22

(c) Net Block 12,837,893.13 9,094,665.16 21,932,558.29

Total Fixed Assets 12,837,893.13 9,094,665.16 21,932,558.29

INVESTMENTS : 924,400.00 0.00 924,400.00

(2) CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS AND ADVANCES:

(a) Cash and Bank Balances 188,063.79 1,066,919.22 1,254,983.01

(b) Other Current Assets 143,000.00 22,570.00 165,570.00

(c) Loans to Poor Women's in SHG's/JLG's 8,940,588.00 0.00 8,940,588.00

(d) Advances, Deposits and other Recoverable 52904.03 0.00 52,904.03

(e) Control Account 1,809,554.00 (1,809,554.00) 0.00

TOTAL ̀ 12,058,509.82 (720,064.78) 11,338,445.04

LESS : CURRENT LIABILITIES AND PROVISIONS

(a) Current Liabilities 37,363.00 52,618.00 89,981.00

(b) Other Liabilities and Provisions 342,626.00 169,475.00 512,101.00

TOTAL 379,989.00 222,093.00 602,082.00

NET CURRENT ASSETS 11,678,520.82 (942,157.78) 10,736,363.04

(3) MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE

TOTAL ̀ 24,516,413.95 8,152,507.38 32,668,921.33

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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT (As on 31st March 2015)

MF UNIT PROGRAM UNIT CONSOLIDATEDINCOME :Income from Financial Services to Poor Women's Organized in SHG/JLG:Interest Income 1,506,844.00 0.00 1,506,844.00 Service Charges 830,413.00 0.00 830,413.00 Income from Grants, Donations & Subsidies: Project Implementation Grant 50,000.00 5,622,683.00 5,672,683.00 Other Income : Interest from Bank Deposits 23,443.00 20,709.00 44,152.00 Other Income 23,113.00 3,679,330.71 3,702,443.71 TOTAL 2,433,813.00 9,322,722.71 11,756,535.71 EXPENDITURE: Financial Cost/Expenditure On Programme 1,437,523.30 5,287,161.00 6,724,684.30 Personnel Cost 380,717.00 0.00 380,717.00 Administrative and other Operative Costs 117,978.00 2,454,739.04 2,572,717.04 Provision for Non Performing Micro Credit Portfolio 89,406.00 0.00 89,406.00 Depreciation & Amortization 190,222.83 118,049.39 308,272.22 TOTAL 2,215,847.13 7,859,949.43 10,075,796.56 Net Surplus / (Loss) during the period ̀ 217,965.87 1,462,773.28 1,680,739.15 INCOME :Income from Financial Services to Poor Women's Organized in SHG/JLG: Interest Income 1,506,844.00 0.00 1,506,844.00 Service Charges 830,413.00 0.00 830,413.00 Income from Grants, Donations & Subsidies: Project Implementation Grant 50,000.00 5,622,683.00 5,672,683.00 Other Income : Interest from Bank Deposits 23,443.00 20,709.00 44,152.00 Other Income 23,113.00 3,679,330.71 3,702,443.71 TOTAL 2,433,813.00 9,322,722.71 11,756,535.71 EXPENDITURE: Financial Cost/Expenditure On Programme 1,437,523.30 5,287,161.00 6,724,684.30 Personnel Cost 380,717.00 0.00 380,717.00 Administrative and other Operative Costs 117,978.00 2,454,739.04 2,572,717.04 Provision for Non Performing Micro Credit Portfolio 89,406.00 0.00 89,406.00 Depreciation & Amortization 190,222.83 118,049.39 308,272.22 TOTAL ̀ 2,215,847.13 7,859,949.43 10,075,796.56 Net Surplus / (Loss) during the period ̀ 217,965.87 1,462,773.28 1,680,739.15

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“It was very nice experience to visit VAMA and its team. All the best to VAMA & its team to achieve the goals set for the people”.Mr. Joseph James(CASA-New Delhi)

“Discussion done with Mr. Verma & Team. The staff was very honest, dedicated & ambitious towards goals to development of poor's.”

Mr. Kuldeep Singh(DGM- NABCONS)

“Happy to see the reality of work at ground level, VAMA is professionally managed organization.” Mr. Mukesh Sharma(ICICI Bank Ltd-Bhopal)

“A lot has been done; We wish co-create more and more impact on people’s lives."

Mr. Hitesh Bhatt(Rang-De organization-Bangalore)

Good Job being done for rural development & women empowerment. Best of Luck.”Mr. A. L. Ahuja (NABARD-Bhopal)

“It is great to be here, noticed that VAMA is doing work well especially towards women empowerment.”

Mr. Santosh Kr. Kashyap(FINISH Society-Lucknow)

“It was pleasure to meet all the team members & to see their work to graduate MF progress as a whole. Best of luck in Future.”Mr. Rakesh Kumar Singh(IGS-Lamp Fund-Bhopal)

“Great team & Leadership, enjoyed, looking forward to work together.”Mr. Ayaan ChaterjeE(E+O Foundation-Bangalore)

VAMA IN VIEW OF VISITORS :

OUR DONORS/SUPPORTERS/NETWORK PARTNER’S:

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BAL- MAHILA VIKAS SAMITI (VAMA)9-C, Maharana Pratap Nagar, Usha Colony, Behind Jiwaji ClubGwalior-474009 (M.P. ) INDIAContact No. 0751-2457438, 0751-4072566, 09826299566Email-id bmvs1988@yahoo.co.in, vama1988@rediffmail.comWebsite: http://www.vamaindia.org