Vocational Training Programmes
The MAM Amritapuri Ashram devises a vast array of vocational training programmes that are given on a rotational basis to each SHG. More than 54 different kinds of trainings have been given so far. During the early stages, the ashram received a warranty, a guarantee, from the banks.
“We gave a letter to the banks saying the SHGs were part of the Ashram, and based on that strength, the banks gave loans to the groups. We have a system of grading the SHGs, depending upon the regularity of meetings and attendance of women, as well as the transparency of the meeting minutes and the accounts.
A training in rigorous recordkeeping and administration, as well as various vocational trainings, prepared them for different job ventures such as tailoring shops, soap-making and garment shops.”
– Kalesh, Coordinator, AmritaSREE, Alappuzha.
With the formation and strengthening of the clusters, dependences on banks have become almost nil, with the clusters themselves lending money to individual members at nominal interest and ensuring that there are no defaulters.
With the collaboration of international agencies like UNDEF (United Nations Democracy Fund), ILO (International Labour Organization) and in association with MSME (Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises), various trainings have been given.
CURRENT SHG ACTIVITIES
- Handicraft making
- TALLY (account system)
- Beauty Parlour Management
- Female hygiene products
- Paper products
- Readymade garments
- Leather product making
- Bakery items
- Mussel Culture
- Aquaculture
- Hand-looming
- Coir making
- Garment Making
- Communal Farming
- Food Processing
- Banana Culture
- Rice flour production
- Sale of Curry Powder
- Cluster Shops
- Sale of Tea Leaves & Powder
- Coconut Collection, Dehusking & Sale
- Making & Selling Snacks
- Making & Selling Rice Powder
- Sewing Nighties
- Making & Selling Soap
- Adult Literacy Classes
- Empowerment through Loans
- Wedding Loans
- Health Insurance & Education
- Shrimp Peeling Shell