GSBG successful

In February 2007, the GSBG completely repaid their loan to Ecselance International, 2 years ahead of schedule. GSBG's micro-enterprise model has been recognized as a role model by a nationalized bank, the Bank of Baroda and is being studied by several banks in Malaysia. 39 families each with at least 4 direct dependents and at least 6 indirect/partial dependents have benefited from the loans. GSBG will continue to work with the Bank of Baroda and a small cooperative bank. Congratulations to all those who helped make this possible.

May 2006 Update

May 2006 Update

May 2006 Update

The following report was submitted by Chandu Dhage, president of GSBG:
"After we repaid the last installment (our second) we have disbursed in May the following loan amounts to some new and deserving enterprises specially a much needed second hand farm equipment. This enterprise will serve the needs of a number of small farmers for whom maintaining bullock driven equipment is prohibitively expensive. Two married youth have been trained to be drivers who will be gainfully employed by way of hauling farm produce to the market yard, fodder for smaller diary farmers, and also bricks (we have a brick kiln business employing eight families) throughout the year which will ensure repayment of the loan on time.

We are also particularly delighted to help a young widow with her plants nursery project.

It is very heartening to see so many new young farmers who are coming forward to invest in drip irrigation projects as they have seen with their own eyes drip's benefits such as water conservation, better yield due to healthy root zones development of plants, controlled micro nutrient flow, effective week control, etc."

Three new drip irrigation loans were issued to local farmers in May. The loans are presented by the GSBG president, Chandu Dhage. 

Mr. Rama Dhage purchased a second hand tractor with his loan of Rs 50,000. 

December 2005 Update

December 2005 Update

December 2005 Update

December had it's share of good and bad news. First the bad news. Ashok's computer business has suffered a set back due to non availability of electric supply for nearly 15 hours a day. They had to sadly close down two branches. Solar power is prohibitively expensive. Now the good news. The plant nursery started by Yuvraj and Devraj is doing very well. It is the most profitable, had the greatest impact on neighboring villages, and was judged the most environmentally friendly by the Agriculture College and government extension officers.

Yuvraj and Devraj brother's nursery, the best enterprise of the past quarter. 

October 2005 Update

October 2005 Update

October 2005 Update

Finally the rains bid adieu. This past week was dry and there is a crispness of autumn in the air. This month, the GSBG and others in Belgaon Dhaga hosted a marathon in which over 120 youth from the cluster villages participated including friends in the govt, private, and NGO sectors. The highlight was the training camp conducted by two grand old men who have retired from govt services and have committed their lives to training the youth in health care. On the economic side, there was a loan recovery problem with a saree vendor. The GSBG members took responsibility of handling the situation with care and prowess and, with her consent, a portion of her salary from her govt job will be deducted to repay the loan.