Bhanu Nahak, Ganjan, Odisha

“The Community Resilience Fund has helped me increase my confidence and commitment in doing different businesses and earning a good income”

Bhanu Nahak, is a proud business woman from Ganjam district of Odisha. After the demise of her husband she took all the responsibilities in running the family. They owned a small piece of land but was hardly sufficient to earn an income.

With a determination to overcome this situation, she approached her Self Help Group (SHG) for some support. Since her group was running the Community Resilience Fund (CRF), she got a loan of INR 10,000 (USD 133) to open a small stationary shop. She soon started selling an average of 1000 per day and earned a profit of INR 150-200 daily. The income helped her pay back the CRF and slowly started expanding the business.

“I understood that many women required money in crisis and I tried to pay back on time to help other group members.”

After paying back the CRF, Bhanu applied for a second round of loan. Seeing her interest and dedication, the CRF committee sanctioned her second loan. Now she has started the Food stall (Bara and Pakodi) in front of her house and is selling 400 to 500 daily and getting additional Rs. 100 from the business. She is earning an average Rs. 525 (USD 7) daily basis from both the business and managing all her family expenses. Now other members of her village are learning from her determination and skills in business. The CRF support has increased her confidence and commitment in doing different business and earning a good income.