INDIA - $5,125
Goat-Rearing and Cane Chair-Making
Project Coordinator - Mrs. V. Umasankari

This is a new project for a past RSWR partner. It will support 32 women from eight self-help groups in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu. The women have been engaged in beedi-making (local, hand-rolled cigarettes). Sixteen of the beneficiaries in this project will engage in making cane chairs and sixteen will engage in goat-rearing. For goat-rearing, the women will receive two goats, valued at $112. These two will produce four offspring in six months and the women can sell them for $56 each, with total earnings of $224 in the first year and $448 in the second year. $112 will be given to the cane chair makers to purchase raw materials and tools. A woman can earn $65-$70 per month making chairs. Loans will be repaid in ten months at 12% interest.

From Dr. R. Kannan’s site visit report:, “RWDT has successfully implemented it’s first project. The proposed income-generating activities for this project are viable. The cost and calculations are realistic. The interest will be utilized for future training expenses.”

Project Completed: June 30, 2011