Finnovations

‘Pudhumai’ Self Help Groups – BWDA Widows and Destitute Welfare

Widows and destitute women have poor social standing, are highly stigmatised and often lack the support to sustain themselves. This program was initiated by BWDA to empower widows and destitute women and to transform them into micro entrepreneurs.

BWDA provides low-cost financial access (18%) and offers livelihood and capacity development training to beneficiaries. The program also forms ‘Pudhumai’ groups comprising of 10 widows or destitute women thereby creating a support platform. BWDA also offers advocacy support to members. BWDA also organizes various awareness and motivational programs which has benefitted over 5000 widows. BWDA has formed 168 Pudhumai groups with 1,863 members and has facilitated over INR.128.25 lakhs to these members. During the COVID – 19 pandemic, BWDA provided relief supplies to 3,191 widows to support them during the crisis.

B-WaSH – BWDA Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programme

B-Wash program aims to provide safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities to low-income households by creating awareness and financial access for WSH infrastructure development. BWDA implements B-Wash in partnership with Water.org. BWDA has created awareness amongst 10,19,052 beneficiaries. BWDA has further facilitated INR. 45.58 Cr as.water credit for the development of 50,976 safe water connections and hygienic toilets benefitting 2,46,758 members. BWDA is now looking at setting up community drinking water plants and water resource-friendly sanitation facilities.