Self Help Groups are self-run savings groups where women come together to pool their savings and offer low-interest loans to the community. Most rural and underprivileged women have little control over their own money or have the resources to open personal bank accounts. With little to no savings, these women are forced to borrow from high interest money lenders in moments of economic crisis. Savings groups prevent poor families from falling into cycles of debt.

 

Each group meets once every two weeks to deposit a fixed amount into the group account. Once the group has collected enough money to cover the registration fees, they open a bank account and soon begin offering loans at low interest within the group. These loans often go towards covering the cost of their children's school tuition, health care or marriage expenses. Together women also use their pooled savings to kick-start new business ventures, from small projects like street vendoring to large catering companies. 

 

The completely self-governing group is run by electing a president, secretary and treasurer. These representatives are responsible for leading meetings, scheduling bank visits, managing the ledgers and monitoring group attendance.