Dear Ms Krishna Rao garu and Dr Satinath Chowdary, As you both asked the same question, I would like to write a common email. Hope, it is OK. 1. We started Microloans in 2006 with just Rs.10,000. So far we have helped more 80 people and distributed more than 3 lakhs. We are operating in 6 villages now. 2. So far our loans are paid back 100%. No defaulters. 3. Our loans range from Rs.3,000 – Rs.7,000 4. We financed people to buy buffalos, carts to carry loads, carts to carry water, to start small businesses like grocery shop, killi shop, tea shops, to vend vegetables, to buy rikshaws, to buy and sell saries, brooms, and so on. 5. Our loans are for all those who ask for it and who has good reputation in the village. We have given loans to several non Dalits as well. 6. We charge 12% per year interest and the interest earned will be given back as loans. 7. Our loans are being coordinated currently by 5 people, all volunteers. 8. Our microloans project was studied by two different organizations (ASHA for Education and RangDe) and both gave glowing reports on it. The report is available on our website. 9. We are helping so far individuals. Just started helping self help groups as well. We will see how it goes before taking up more such groups. 10. We have been getting a number of requests to start Microloans in many neighboring villages as well as far off places like Medak, Nizamabad, Chithur. But, we are sort of funds to spread the project as we wish. To answer Ms Krishna Rao questions: 1. You need reliable, responsible, and hardworking person(s) to run microloans. There will be lot of leg work involved. 2. Yes, there are several projects for Dalits on paper. But, how many of them are being implemented is doubtful. How much of the allotted money is reaching them is more questionable. I have read several reports on how the money allotted to Dalits are being unused, diverted, or siphoned off by the very Governments allotted it. But for outsiders it looks Dalits are a pampered lot, in other words “Government son-in-laws”. That is how it has been projected in the Govt records, in the media, and in public. But, the reality is different, to my observation. If Govt projects meant for Dalits have been implemented properly, the condition Dalits would have been much better by now, 60 years after Independence. The truth that Dalits are still suffering is the proof that the programs are flawed or not implemented putting heart and soul in them. I am sorry, if I am a little bit emotional here. 3. I do not know what is “DOKRA”. Someone in the email list may help us to understand. 4. You have been doing a great work through HfH. You have a great heart and you cannot keep from helping more for the people in need. So, I wish you good luck in helping your Gudem people and others as well. I am always a click away, if you think I am useful in any way. If any more questions, please write to me. With regards Benjamin ====== Dear Benjamin garu, Thank you for your email response. I am also very much interested in Micro Loans (just like Satinath Chowdary mentioned in his email). How does it exactly work?. If I find couple of good volunteers to help us out, what are the things that need to be watching for?. If you know from beginning to end how this works, I would be very much interested to know the details. As you know, this is one area I am looking to give help in the name of HfH. HYD is a suitable place for us. The other alternative is Vijayawada. I know you have a real passion for Dalits since you were born and brought up among them. Yes, I do understand the sensitivity you feel so strongly for them through your emails. Nothing wrong in trying to help and focus on this issue to the best you can. I was born in a small village named Agniparru, in Krishna Dist. This is my mother's native place. My Father's native place is Pamidimukkala which is also a small village in Krishna Dist. While we were growing up, there are so called "Gudems" in one section of these two villages. They are Dalits. When I visit these places, these Gudems still exist. They are separate from the rest of the village. Next time I visit these places, I will put some extra time to learn more about them. My brothers tell me things are changing and Govt. gives good support etc. but I didn't get in to details because of the little times we spend in these villages. Sad but true, this social discrimination is there with no doubt. Please do not stop your helping them. If I can do something, I will surely help to improve my own vilage "Gudems" one of these days. I have that in my mind for some time now. Do you know what "DOKRA" is. My brother told me this is similar to Micro Loans?. Govt. helps BS and SC castes through DOKRA?. I am sure any time Govt. gets involved, nothing is efficient to the extent it's supposed to be in India. The middle people eat away the majority before it reaches the ones in real need. If I have a real good volunteer base set up, I would like to help my villages esp. to these Gudems that I am talking about. So, please write as much details as you can or know about these Micro Loans. Thank you, Krishna Dear Ben, Extension of Ambedkar Scholarship program to Ambedkar Microloans program is a very laudable extension. Hearty congratulation for the same. I would be looking forward to more details regarding the same. In particular, I am interested in finding out if the loans are being given to individuals or to registered SHGs (Self Help Groups). What are the terms and conditions for the loans? What is the maximum/ minimum amount of loans? Whether any guarantor or collateral are needed for the loans? Again, congratulations and best wishes for this significant extension of your programs. Take care, Best regards, Satinath ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ An educated man without character and humility was more dangerous than a beast. If his education was detrimental to the welfare of poor, he was a curse to society. -Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar Please visit www.friendsforeducation.org or www.ambedkarscholarship.org
________________________________ From: Krao <r...@verizon.net> To: Benjamin Kaila <benjamin_ka...@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 5:25:35 AM Subject: Re: Microloans function (July 13, 3009) details Dear Benjamin garu, Thank you for your email response. I am also very much interested in Micro Loans (just like Satinath Chowdary mentioned in his email). How does it exactly work?. If I find couple of good volunteers to help us out, what are the things that need to be watching for?. If you know from beginning to end how this works, I would be very much interested to know the details. As you know, this is one area I am looking to give help in the name of HfH. HYD is a suitable place for us. The other alternative is Vijayawada. I know you have a real passion for Dalits since you were born and brought up among them. Yes, I do understand the sensitivity you feel so strongly for them through your emails. Nothing wrong in trying to help and focus on this issue to the best you can. I was born in a small village named Agniparru, in Krishna Dist. This is my mother's native place. My Father's native place is Pamidimukkala which is also a small village in Krishna Dist. While we were growing up, there are so called "Gudems" in one section of these two villages. They are Dalits. When I visit these places, these Gudems still exist. They are separate from the rest of the village. Next time I visit these places, I will put some extra time to learn more about them. My brothers tell me things are changing and Govt. gives good support etc. but I didn't get in to details because of the little times we spend in these villages. Sad but true, this social discrimination is there with no doubt. Please do not stop your helping them. If I can do something, I will surely help to improve my own vilage "Gudems" one of these days. I have that in my mind for some time now. Do you know what "DOKRA" is. My brother told me this is similar to Micro Loans?. Govt. helps BS and SC castes through DOKRA?. I am sure any time Govt. gets involved, nothing is efficient to the extent it's supposed to be in India. The middle people eat away the majority before it reaches the ones in real need. If I have a real good volunteer base set up, I would like to help my villages esp. to these Gudems that I am talking about. So, please write as much details as you can or know about these Micro Loans. Thank you, Krishna On Jul 21, 2009, at 8:05 AM, Benjamin Kaila wrote: Thanks, Rao garu. >Yes, people (especially Dalits) literallystrugle a lot in life. Any small help >will be a great thing for them. It is not that poverty is not there in other >castes. Coupled with social descrimination (that is not there for others), >their economic deprivation can be understood only when one has a first hand >experience. Without it, it is difficult to understand the problems faced by >them day in and day out in this economically prosperous era. > >As a person born and brought up among them, I knew it and so I advocate and >try my best to help them hear and there with generous support from people like >you and organizations like yours. > >Thanks again. >Ben > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >An educated man without character and humility was more dangerous than a >beast. If his education was detrimental to the welfare of poor, he was a curse >to society. >-Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar >Please visit www.friendsforeducation.org or www.ambedkarscholarship.org > > > > > ________________________________ From: Krishna Rao <r...@verizon.net> >To: Benjamin Kaila <benjamin_ka...@yahoo.com> >Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:39:13 AM >Subject: Re: Microloans function (July 13, 3009) details > > >Dear Benjamin garu, > >Thank you for sending the information on Micro Loans. It's amazing how much >attention people in small places and villages (like Veluru recognize) for the >small things we do. > >I sincerely appreciate for all you do for humanity. >Regards, >Krishna > >--- On Tue, 7/21/09, Benjamin Kaila <benjamin_ka...@yahoo.com> wrote: > > >>From: Benjamin Kaila <benjamin_ka...@yahoo.com> >>Subject: Microloans function (July 13, 3009) details >>To: "AmbedkarScholarshipGroup" <ambedkarscholars...@yahoogroups.com>, "Kris >>Rao" <k...@usmd.edu>, "Krao" <r...@verizon.net>, "Rao Vikram, OSU" >><rao...@osu.edu>, "Dalit Group" <da...@yahoogroups.com> >>Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2009, 4:58 AM >> >> >>Dear donors and friends, >>In a simple function conducted on July 13, 2009 in Veluru, Guntur Dist, >>Andhra Pradesh, 30 microloans have been distributed. I thank the following >>again for their generous contribution: >>Hope for Humanity, Maryland, USA >>Indian Amreican Association, Ohio State University, Ohio, USA >>Mr Maharaj Kaul, USA >> >>I am still waiting for the details of all the beneficiaries and let you know >>when I get them. Please click the following links for: >>Media coverage: >>http://friendsforeducation.org/scholarship/microloans/2009/ml090713_media.html >>Some of the photos: >>http://friendsforeducation.org/scholarship/microloans/2009/ml090713_fphotos.html >> >>Please write to me for any questions. >>With regards >>Benjamin >> >>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>An educated man without character and humility was more dangerous than a >>beast. If his education was detrimental to the welfare of poor, he was a >>curse to society. >>-Babasaheb Dr B R Ambedkar >>Please visit www.friendsforeducation.org or www.ambedkarscholarship.org
