May Impact 2016 by UnboundOrg

IMPACT MAY 2016

Shammi’s son Sadaf is a former sponsored member of Unbound in Allahabad, India. Though Sadaf is no longer sponsored, Shammi continues to participate in a tailoring livelihood initiative she started with other mothers who are part of the Unbound program.

INGENUITY

CELEBRATING MOMS AS SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS In the past decade, Unbound has

recognizing the accomplishments of

mothers in the group contribute a

promoted the formation of small

mothers whose children are sponsored

small amount each month, typically

groups of parents and guardians,

through Unbound. Shashikala is

$1 to $2, which is then matched by

mainly mothers, in our programs

one of the mothers recognized as a

Unbound. From this pool of funds the

around the world. Through the

successful entrepreneur.

mothers are able to take out loans and

small groups, mothers are building

Shashikala’s son Arun was

confidence in their own abilities to

sponsored members are represented

has become a leader in the Gayathri

shop in their village, so the first loan

in the more than 10,500 small

mothers group and has utilized

she took from the group was so she

groups that have organized in the 20

loans from the group to improve her

could take a beautician course.

countries where we work.

family’s situation.

In Hyderabad, India, staff at the Unbound office make a practice of

Mothers groups in Hyderabad take part in a microloan program. All the

Unfortunately, the barber shop didn’t last because the government needed the land it was built on. With

her husband’s income disrupted, Shashikala had to find other ways to support her family. “In the [mothers group], our group members

Shashikala applies a face mask to a client at her beauty parlor. Shashikala used a loan from her local mothers group to get the training needed to open up shop.

encouraged me to keep a beauty parlor in our village,” Shashikala said. “So I took a loan from my group and purchased cosmetics needed for the beautician work. I used the chair and mirror which were used in our barber shop. I started a small beauty parlor in my house. “Initially my group members came to my beauty parlor as customers. They encouraged me to build up confidence in my attempt.” Shashikala offered services such as eyebrow trimming, facials and hairstyling. Her services were advertised throughout the village by word of mouth and she was able to build up her client base. Eventually, with compensation they received from the government for the demolition of their old barber shop and the profits she made from her beauty parlor, Shashikala and her husband were able to buy a piece of land to rebuild the barber shop. And Shashikala has been able to expand her business into a larger shop and improve her family’s financial stability. The Unbound world is full of extraordinary moms. And when these women come together to form support groups, they become stronger as a community. That support helps moms like Shashikala discover previously unexplored talents and instills them with confidence. “I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude

Sundari is another mother who was honored for her success. She started a flour mill. Sundari’s son Adarsh was sponsored through Unbound until last year when he began working.

to Unbound and my Gayathri group members,” Shashikala said. “Without their help I would not be able to improve my family’s situation.”

IMPACT GOES SEASONAL

T IMPAC

Starting this summer, you’ll begin

fall

IMPAC T

2015

SPRIN

G 2016

receiving our seasonal issue of Impact separate from your receipt each month. It contains the same types of great stories and announcements, just in a different format. Want to get more stories more often? Visit unbound.org/impact or follow us on social media.

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