Self-Help Group Trainings at Vilathikulam

SPS India staff Sangeetha and Milton visited Vembu, Vilathikulam for three days from 29th November to 1st December 2016. The objective of the visit was to conduct training programs for the beneficiaries of WoMEn 1000+ Project. Two separate trainings were organized on 29th and 30th November at Vilvamarathupatti and Kandhasamypuram of Vilathikulam Taluk, Thoothukudi District.

About 30 SHG women from Malligai, Sevvanthi and Nathi Self Help Groups in Vilvamarathupatti and about 50 SHG women from Karuppasamy, Kalidevi, Sakthi Devi and Bharathi Self Help Groups took part in the training in Kandhasamypuram.The training programs were scheduled late in the evening as most of the women are occupied with their farm work in the day during the cropping season. So the trainings for the women are organized in smaller groups in their own villages as per their convenience and availability.

The training programs focused on introducing the rotary sponsored Microfinance project to the women, its mission and objectives in the long run and also to emphasize on the importance of self-help groups in empowering the lives of rural women through economic empowerment. Ms. Sangeetha and Mr. Milton animated the trainings along with Mr. Jayaseelan, coordinator of VEMBU Trust. The training was mainly into motivating the women and creating an awareness about the importance of education, Women rights etc.,The session was very interactive, where the women were asked to brainstorm and understand the importance of unity in SHG group, the importance of each individual and their participation. To develop the decision making skills, the women were asked to discuss what kind of problems they are facing in their village and how they are going to solve it as a team.

Everyone participated enthusiastically and asked to come up with an idea and one representative from each group shared their ideas. For most of the women it was their first time to speak in front of the gathering. Stories were narrated to make them realize how strong they are and also made them realized that they can achieve anything if they work together.

Interactive games and activities were conducted to motivate the women and to make them participate in the trainings. And the women were filled with positive spirit and assured that they will implement the thoughts and teachings which they have learnt during the training session.