January 2005 Update

During January, a lot of training was accomplished during a trip to Pune. Farmers who were selected for the drip irrigation loan received training in irrigation techniques and alternate agro practices. Also, several GSBG members and potential members received an introductory training in bee keeping and vermiculture, which may be the basis of future businesses, at the Pune bee research centre.

GSBG members hosted two sets of university students for poultry farming training and micro enterprise management training.

With the help of scholarships given by a corporate executive, two young men, Deepak and Sunil form the nearby village of Vasali, received computer training from Ashok so that they will be able to start a computer training centre in Vasali.

On January 31, the borrowers presented the first loan repayment check to Ecselance International. This was truly a monumental day and there was a great sense of achievement on the part of all GSBG members.