Name: Lakshmi
Husband: Siddappa
Village: Kaudiyal
Taluk: Basavakalyan

Background:
Lakshmi, wife of Siddappa, lives in Kaudiyal village. They have five children three daughters and two sons. They were very poor and had no knowledge about Self-Help Groups (SHGs). About 15 years ago, Sisters and field workers provided them with information and encouraged them to join an SHG. Initially, she said, “I have not studied; I don’t know anything.” The workers assured her that by joining the SHG, she would receive all the necessary information, and so she became a member.

She is now a member of the Pavitra Mahila Self-Help Group. After joining, she learned to write her name, learned how to visit government departments, and communicate with officials. She also learned to go to the bank. Earlier, she did not even have a toilet, but with guidance and support from the SHG, she was able to obtain a toilet from the Gram Panchayat. She also gained knowledge about education through the SHG. Since she had no other source of livelihood, she took a loan once and started dairy farming. Initially, she took a loan of ₹15,000 and started farming on one acre of land. The income from this work improved her family’s standard of living.