The Village Earth Model Becomes Reality

Sunday, 7th May, 2006 we had an important event in Purulia. We have inaugurated our micro-finance initiative with the support of Village Earth. As per our proposed plan we had invited 50 tribal women (project participants), but we had to include 10 more because of their interest to be involved in the process. It was a great day in the history of the Village Earth Purulia. We are also very satisfied with the event and enthusiasm of the tribal women in Purulia. They asked many many questions, clarified plans in groups, presented their plans in front of the others, and made decisions about future activities.

Since my involvement with Village Earth in 1994 in Ft.Collins, I have been trying to translate the idea into reality.  Now I can say that the Village Earth model can guide the poor and vulnerable of this world to live with dignity and that there can be "development with dignity".  We have a vision to reach all 600 Self Help Groups and we hope for further assistance from our supporters.

Let us work together to make the Village Earth model a reality for a sustainable change in the society where no one is left behind or excluded.

-From Milan and Mousomi Dinda, founders of The Village Earth Purulia

Empowering Tribal Women

These women are excited about the Microfinance Initiative and the positive changes it will bring to their communities. Active participation such as this is very empowering for people who have not had the opportunity to take an active role in the development processes of their communities.

Summation of Plans

After the women presented their plans, one of the Self-Help Group leaders and the activator sum up their plans and discuss future steps following the Village Earth philosophy.

The Women Present their Plans

Sixty women sat together in six groups to lay out their microfinance plans through particpatory collaboration. After that a leader from each group presented their plans separately to all of the other women and facilitators.

Microfinance Orientation

Milan K. Dinda, the internal activator and founder of the Village Earth Purulia, oriented the women about the Village Earth Microfinance Initiative and collaborated with the women to establish rules and guidelines.

Welcome to the Purulia Microfinance Initiative

This Microfinance Initiative is being undertaken by 60 tribal women of two adjacent villages (Pithati and Juri) in Purulia, West Bengal, India, which is a remote and tribal-dominated district.