Society for Participatory Research and Integrated Training

India

India has been under a nationwide lockdown since March 25. The lockdown was to end May 17, but was extended until May 31. The government began easing restrictions on May 4, including the reopening of neighborhood shops, manufacturing and farming in rural areas, and began running a limited number of trains.

This map from the New York Times shows India’s coronavirus case count by region. Our partner, Society for Participatory Research and Integrated Training (SPRIT), is located in Tamil Nadu.

Concerns, Challenges and Adaptation Measures

Due to the strict lockdown, SPRIT was unable to visit their ongoing projects occuring in the villages. As the government began to ease restrictions earlier this month, they were able to visit some areas although not all as some are still under red alert.

Emergency Fund

The Emergency Fund from Rockflower was used by SPRIT to place an order of 150 reusable masks with a local woman tailor. This not only helps protect the tribal families, but also provides economic empowerment within the community.

SPRIT Empowering Single Women Through Credit Assistance

SPRIT has partnered with Rockflower for over a year now and has been steadily progressing towards their goal of self reliance for single women located in the coastal villages they focus on in India. Their economic empowerment projects include: seaweed cultivation, fish vending and making thatched roofs with coconut leaves.

Members meets monthly to monitor and evaluate their progress and distribute the credit assistance they provide. 12 women from three coastal villages received assistance.

Mariammal, a single, 45 year old, was one of two women who received a loan of Rs. 5,000 (rupees) (equivalent to approx. $68 USD) for coconut leaf products to make a segment of thatched roof. Previously, Mariammal would buy one leaf for 3 rupees and sell the completed product for Rs. 10 each. With the assistance of her loan, she can now make 20-25 completed products and earn around Rs. 250 in a day. Mariammal is “planning to put a sales centre at roadside to get more orders and earn more money. [She is] very grateful to SPRIT and Rockflower for the financial support for [her] livelihood.”

Coconut Leaves

Thatched Completed Product