CASHE Training Kit for rural women’s self help groups

About CARE CASHE Project The CASHE (Credit and Savings for Household Enterprise) Project (2000-2006) addresses the problem of low incomes of poor women and their limited control over that income. This project aims to increase the availability of a wider range of micro-finance services to poor (particularly) rural women, and their use of those services. The project is taking place in three areas: Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. One of the goals of the project is to help women to create and govern their own (Micro Finance) Institution. This pyramidal institution would have Individual SHGs at its foundation, Clusters at the mid level and a Federation at the apex.

This kit has been developed in collaboration with CARE West Bengal. It is designed to assist field workers, self help group leaders understand and share concepts related to self help group formation and functioning among rural women.

The story and the aids/activities were conceived and developed after extensive field research, analysis and testing conducted by Thoughtshop Foundation in collaboration with CARE West Bengal. Though the kit has been developed for rural areas in Bengal, it can be adapted for other states as well. It is available in Bengali.

About the kit The kit is based on the stories of a self help group. The story is presented through flipcharts. The key issues discussed in the flipcharts are highlighted through easy to use activities and visual aids. The kit consists of four modules. Each module comprises one flipchart style storybook and one Activity/ Game/ Resource Book. The modules can be used singly or in sequence with the other modules. The sequence of issues covered are:      Module 1: Context: Society, Poverty, Gender, Group as an options      Module 2: Building a group: How a group functions, Team Work and Leadership      Module 3: Building Assets: Savings, Loans, Fees, Fines, Group Fund and Management.      Module 4: Building a future: Linkages, Clusters & Federations, Best Practices; Success Stories.

What the Kit Contains

Module 1 Society, Poverty, Gender, Group as an option
Flipchart 1 : Parul's Questions This is a story of Parul, a young woman who observes social imbalances and asks provocative questions. Game Board Game and cards showing how resources and benefits are usually controlled by the rich and powerful, and how a women’s self help group is able to reverses this flow.

Module 2 How a group functions, Team Work and Leadership
Flipchart 2 : Gouri Joins the Group In this story Gouri hesitantly joins an SHG at her friend Parul’s behest. The story explores common resistances and introduces ideas of group management, teamwork and leadership. Activity Set  Flipchart and cards exploring 6 key skills: Teamwork, Equal Participation, Problem Solving, Conflict resolution, Decision Making, Leadership styles.

Module 3 Savings, Loans, Fees, Fines, Group Fund and Management
Flipchart 3 : Who should get the loan? Member Rama wants a loan but there is a conflict about who needs it more. The group resolves the conflict with reasoning. The story introduces concept of building assets through thoughtful utilisation of loans. Activity Set Simulation of recording simple transactions, calculations and Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation.

Module 4 Linkages, Clusters & Federations, Best Practices; Success Stories
Flipchart 4 : The Best of all Groups Four group members have just returned from a conference on functioning of SHGs. They share their experiences and learning with the group. Concepts related to linkages, clusters, federation and best practices are explored. Resource Book Illustrated book of frequently asked questions about Self Help Groups. Summarises key concepts and best practices.

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