Chennai
Background
Chennai, a city of 7.5 million people on the southeast coast of India, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Many areas were affected by the 2004 tsunami - lives were lost and homes and livelihoods destroyed. Since the tsunami Five Talents has been working in a number of villages and towns in the area around Chennai to bring long term redevelopment.
Project Description
Five Talents supports programmes in three different areas around Chennai; in Kalpakkam and Kalapet to the south, and Pulicat Island to the north. Our partners provide technical assistance to the formation of self-help groups. These are groups of up to twenty female entrepreneurs and business owners that get together to save money and make loans amongst themselves. Savings will often begin at around 10 rupees (13 pence) per person per week, and the loan recipients are chosen by the group as a whole. Over time as loans are repaid and new ones made, everyone in the group benefits from investment into their business and the increased income that this will generate.
In addition to assisting the formation of these groups, Five Talents provides training across a variety of business topics. This includes product promotion, product differentiation, business planning and how to keep your work and personal finances separate. Over time as people's businesses grow the demand for larger investment will increase and as this happens Five Talents will provide additional loan capital to the groups.
As of September 2010 there were 3,588 members all of whom are women. 75% of members school aged children now attend school regularly. In the second quarter of 2010 1,701 members benefited from loans. 1,112 jobs were supported by those loans and 30 new businesses were started.
Invitation
During 2011 Five Talents aims to expand services in the region of Chennai, serving many more women as they try to work their way out of poverty. We intend to disburse £15,000 to the programme in 2011. We ask that you would consider making a donation towards this vital work here.
More Information
Click here to read a pdf about our programme in Chennai.
Click here to read the latest programme summary on this project.
Click here to read a trip report of Development Director Rachel Millward's visit with MP Annette Brook.
Click here to read a trip report by UK Director Tom Sanderson.
Click here to read Kelli Ross' reflections after a trip to Five Talents' programmes in Chennai, India.
Click here to read case studies from India and other countries.
Click below to watch a video about India.
