Developments at Sonahallipura - an adopted village of Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar

By Rtn.Shyam Aggarwal

Below is the report of our visit to Sonnahallipura as of September 24, 2011..

1. SMO – Micro Finance –

a. The finances were reviewed. The repayments and granting of fresh loans are going on properly. As of now we have given Rs. 3 lakhs to them as grants. We shall be giving another Rs. 1 lakh on 30 Sept as committed earlier.

b. We had started the SMO in Jan 2011 with 6 SHGs and about 80 members . Now we have 9 SHGs and 128 members.

c. The program is working very well and there has not been a single default as of now. Those taking loan return the same in ten months at 1% interest per month or they give back 11% per month.

2. Gifts for villagers -a. Villagers have liked the clothes, shoes, books, games and toys that we have been taking for them each visit. We hope to take this time also. All Rotarians who want to give could give the packets at Rotary House by Thursday. This time there is a special request from Anganwadi. They would like to have bed sheets, bed covers, durries, blankets etc that they can spread on the floor for the children to sleep in the afternoon. Matresses and pillows are also welcome.

3. SMO Projects - Sanitary Napkins For Rural Youth Girls - This project was started in June and by August ladies were trained and machines installed. First sale was made on 15 Aug. Seminars and workshops were held for 80 headmistresses and lady teachers as also for 1500 girls in end August. I am pleased to inform you that in September orders were received from more than 1000 girls. They are being subsidized at Rs. 5 per monthly requirement and the balance is paid by Rotary Bangalore Indranagar and Manipal Foundation. We hope to reach production level of 2000 by October and will have to expand then.

4. School Students Coaching -

A new program has started on 15 September. 30 girls from class VIII and class IX have been selected for coaching in English, Spoken English, Maths and Science. The teachers salary are shared by Rotary and Manipal and the students do not pay anything. However they have committed to improve by 10% each year.

We shall be reviewing each of the above 4 programs and also find out the difficulties that the girls and ladies have and how we can solve them.

Many of the Rotarians have been suggesting that they would like to visit in the next visit. Please let me know if you would be coming and hope to see you at Rotary House at 9.30 on 30 September.

h. Before each visit we collect the following and take with us -

Books and Magazines - English and Kannada for children and adults. This time there was a special request for Books on Spoken English and English Grammar as well as used text books and stationary items.

Clothes -
a. For ladies - preferable Sarees, petty coats, blouse and Gowns etc. Few ladies wear Salwar Kameez.
b. For young girls - Jeans, Tops, Salwar Kameez etc.
c. For young men and boys - trousers, shorts, jeans, shirts, T-shirts, Pajama Kurtas,
d. For kids and children - any clothes including panties, diapers also.
e. Raincoats
f. Foot wear - anything

Toys and Games - For children and school going young boys and girls - balls, Frisbees, hula hoop, rings, board games, puzzles, blocks etc.

Please deliver the donated items to Security at Rotary House of Service (2143, 16E Main, II stage, Indiranagar, Bangalore 65008) for attention of Shyam Aggarwal.