The project

Odisha houses few of the most financially backward families in India. Communities from Balangir district in rural Odisha villages lack even the basic amenities such as personal water connections and toilets.

A typical household in this setup consists of four members on an average- wife and husband, and their two children. The women of these households are homemakers or are engaged in small businesses such as tailoring, incense stick making, petty shops or beauty parlors, while the men are usually away, working in nearby towns and cities as carpenters, drivers, construction workers, and daily wage laborers. The women and men of these households together are able to bring in no more than $90-$150 per month.

In spite of the hardships that accompany such low incomes, the people of Balangir have not relinquished their dreams and aspirations. Milaap, through its partnership with Sampark Financial Services Private Limited, will provide women with funds to expand or set up their tailoring, incense stick making, petty shops, beauty parlors, grocery stores, dairy business etc.

Milaap provides the loans to Sampark Financial Services Limited that must be repaid in 24 months.