INDIA - $4,900
Four Income-Generating Projects
Project Coordinator - Mrs. Shermuga Thangam

OASIS is working with women in the slums of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. They have identified twenty young widows and women-headed families in seven slums. The beneficiaries will receive training in business management and then receive seed money for equipment and working capital for the small businesses. The tiffin stalls and snack stalls are group activities with three women in each. Loans will be repaid in one year, at 12% interest. Anticipated economics are:

ACTIVITY	LOAN	GROSS INCOME	EXPENSE	LOAN PAYMENT	NET INCOME
Tiffin	$670	$715	$310	$65	$340 ($110 per woman)
Vegetables	$225	$50	$45	$20	$110 per month
Ironing	$225	$165	$35	$20	$110
Snacks	$670	$715	$335	$65	$315 ($105 per woman)

From Dr. R. Kannan’s site visit report, “OASIS is a small organization run by Mrs. Shermuga Thangam with two staff. OASIS has formed 23 self-help groups, and attended the RSWR orientation workshop. All the groups have regular monthly meetings and save $2 per month per person. The target area for the project is in the outskirts of Madurai. The proposed projects are fitted with the local area and demand.”

Project Completed: June 30, 2011