Tura, March 12: In Meghalaya’s Garo Hills, self help group (SHG)
movement is acting as a catalyst for economic growth. People in remote
Matchinanggre village under Selsella Development Block in West Garo
Hills, about 54 km from Tura are scripting a story of their own.
Bristibala Marak, 42, a mother of four has realized her dreams by
engaging herself in alternative livelihood options.
In 2004, she drew an inspiration to start a self help group from her sister.
Like Bristibala, there were many other women in Matchinanggre village,
who had to share their life changing experience.
“I was really inspired and motivated from my sister Albo Marak, who
was part of an SHG. My sister told me that they had registered their
group with block office and received financial assistance for starting
piggery and poultry”, said Bristibala Marak.
Matchinanggre is a small rural village with 83 households. Of which,
most are agriculturist and grow areca nut and cashew. They have
abandoned jhumming.
Initially, Bristibala found it difficult to motivate people to start
an SHG, but her sheer dedication yielded results and in 2005, a group
of 10 women started – New Matchinang SHG.
In 2010, North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project
(NERCORM), an initiative of International Fund for Agriculture
Development (IFAD) and North Eastern Council, DoNER selected
Matchinanggre village to provide sustainable livelihood activities,
build capacity, propagate the message of bio-diversity conservation,
etc.
This drew an immense response in the village as it gave an opportunity
for them to start different income generation activities.
Under the project, the village was grouped into two Natural Resource
Management group (NaRM-G)- Matchinang Songma and Matchinang Chimeseng
and five SHGs were formed — Old Matchinang SHG, New Matchinang SHG,
Rambola SHG, Watnang SHG and Jarambong SHG.
In November 2011, West Garo Hills Community Resource Management
Society (WGHCRMS), an implementing agency of NERCORMP engaged its
partner NGO – Socio-Economic Welfare Society (SEWS), a body under
A’chik Baptist Church for propagation of the programme and formation
of the NaRM-G and SHGs.
“We mobilized the villagers for formation of the groups and decided to
start income generating activities. The project helped the groups by
releasing revolving funds”, said Fredrick D Momin, an activist of
SEWS.
Bristibala availed a loan of Rs. 5000 at the rate of one per cent for
rearing pigs. In a year, she repaired the amount and again sought for
Rs. 10000 as loan.
“I took loan thrice to increase my income to rear pigs. In the last
three years, I have sold 20-25 piglets at the rate of Rs. 1200 –
1500”, said Bristibala adding, “With the profit, I have also started a
tea shop at the local market in Kalchengpara. Now, I am earning a
monthly income of Rs. 20,000 – 22,000”.
She also said, “Before the project intervention, we had no direction.
The project has guided us”.
Like, Bristibala, there are at least 50 women in the village, who are
part of different SHGs and have taken up poultry, pig rearing and
plantation of banana, which has enhanced their livelihood.
“I have started rearing pigs and poultry, which gives me a sustained
income through the year”, said Tengsime Marak.
Tengsime, now 22, a school drop-out was married at an early age of 18
and could never imagine a decent living.
“My parents were supportive and they encouraged me to join SHG, which
were formed in our village. I joined the Rambola SHG and derived the
benefits”, said Tengsime.
Her Husband Silgrak A Sangma, who is a member of NaRM-G was given
technical training for staring a Motor Cycle Repairing Workshop.
“We are independent and confident that we can sustain ourselves
today”, said Silgrak and Tengsime.
The project has helped the villagers to take up activities like
rearing of pigs, breeding of Banaraja bird, which has increased their
profit manifold. They have also started their own nursery and a demo
plot for plantation of crops – oranges, bananas, etc.
“We feel empowered. We have gained knowledge. We are not scared to
approach government department for release of funds, etc”, said
Tengsime.
“The project has made us realize that we can define our living”, said Fredrick.
The village has received grant and assistance under convergence from
different line departments, approach and connecting road to the
village were constructed under MG-NREGS, household have electricity
under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project, water tanks and
sanitary toilet.
Most of the villagers can read and write and children are going to
schools, but it seems that efforts are needed to ensure that they take
up higher education.
In the last three years, people have become more conscious about their
rights and privileges and are making afford to send their children for
higher studies.
The village has shown that nothing is impossible, if there is
willingness to march on.(SP News)
