Sasvihal village comes under Phase 1 of the SAMUHA-Kanakanala Watershed Project area. In this village, which lies 10 kms away from Tavergera, 140 families reside. In 1996, a women’s self help group was constituted, and this was converted into a Munjavu group two years later.
There are currently seven groups in Sasvihal comprising 84 members, which engage in financial activities. The Hanumandevara group, comprising 12 members, was one such group. Two of its members, Parvathamma/ Shekharappa, had availed of a loan to run a hotel. However, when Shekharappa passed away, his wife Parvathamma and daughter found themselves unable to repay the loan.
Keeping in mind that their fields were an important asset, they decided to avail of the group loan facilities. They took an application form from the group, and along with Nirmala of SAMUHA, Parvathamma went to meet the bank manager, who willingly acceded to their request for another loan – subject to repayment of the previous one. The group took a month’s time to reconstitute itself into four groups, and willingly agreed to repay the loan of Rs. 51,200. Thereafter, Parvathamma availed of the other loan.
