Self-Reliant Group Movement (SRG): Recent Episodes
WEvolution
WEvolution supports people and communities to start Self-Reliant Groups. An SRG is an informal group of people who come together to support each other, save small amounts of money and establish microenterprises. In other words, SRGs are a space for people to #meetsavecreate.
We chatted with Caroline about what life was like before being part of an SRG, the effects on family life and how it has impacted her disposable income.
Can the insights and solutions to some of the issues in the Global South help the UK to recover and rebuild differently in a post-pandemic era?
WEvolution’s Global South Speaker Series is an opportunity to listen to and interact with simple, inspirational, and system-altering programmes and movements from founders in the Global South.
Part 4 in conversation with Aloysius Fernandez.
“Aloysius has worked with some of the poorest and most marginalized people in rural societies to empower them to take of their own lives. A pioneer of Self-Help Groups in India, his lasting impact in India is truly commendable.” – Noel Mathias, Founder & MD, WEvolution
Fernandez’s early career was with Caritas India and then abroad, with the World Bank and the Canadian International Development Agency before his return to Bengaluru, India in 1982. Upon his return, he worked with MYRADA to promote Self-Help Groups, of which there are nearly 10 million in India alone.
Aloysius is known to be a prolific writer and is credited with several publications. Fernandez was honoured by the Government of India in 2000, with the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri. He also received the Caritas India Jubilee 2000 award the same year. A strong believer in building poor people’s institutions, Aloysius encouraged people to participate and forge their own lives. He is known for his clarity of thought and ability to stand by what he believes in unwaveringly.
This conversation will be hosted by Kate Thomson-McDermott. Kate is currently heading up the Carer Benefits and Case Transfer Policy Unit in the Scottish Government's Social Security Directorate. She plays a key role in shaping the delivery of new social security powers in Scotland and works in close collaboration with individuals within and outwith the Scottish Government.
WEvolution
srgmovement.com
MeetSaveCreate
This event is co-hosted by the David Hume Institute.
Can the insights and solutions to some of the issues in the Global South help the UK to recover and rebuild differently in a post-pandemic era?
WEvolution’s Global South Speaker Series is an opportunity to listen to and interact with simple, inspirational, and system-altering programmes and movements from founders in the Global South.
Part 3 / 4 in conversation with Jyoti Mhapsekar
“Jyoti is not only a champion of the SRG movement, but also proof of how a concerted effort within a community can positively improve their lives. The lasting legacy she has had in Mumbai is one we want to recreate here in the UK." Noel Mathias, Founder and Managing Director of WEvolution
Jyoti Mhapsekar is one of the founding members of Stree Mukti Sanghatana, an NGO that works in Mumbai in India and has been actively involved in the women’s movement since 1975. She has devoted her time to helping 5,000 waste picker members to form self-help groups and subsequently trained 1,000 members in composting, biomethanation, and other alternate skills.
Through her work, Jyoti has highlighted the connection between recycling work done by waste pickers and climate change in various national and international forums, which includes United Nations conventions at Bonn and Copenhagen in 2009.
Jyoti has received numerous awards for her contribution to the women’s movement and was felicitated by the Clinton Global Initiative in New York in 2010.
WEvolution
srgmovement.com
MeetSaveCreate
This event is co-hosted by the David Hume Institute.
Part 2 / 4 in conversation with Salomón Raydan. “Salomon’s work around savings and his belief that the poorest in the society have the ability to save have led to the development of a fascinating community-based banking model in Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America. For the UK, this seems to be the right time to grapple with alternative financial systems where microcredit is not the answer to all our financial ills.” – Noel Mathias, Founder & MD, WEvolution Salomon founded The Bankomunales model and it’s based on the idea that saving is the main need of vulnerable families, as well as on the principle that bank access is not the only way to facilitate inclusion and financial education, but rather there are informal associative financial mechanisms with large cultural acceptance, which can be improved to include and financially educate the vulnerable population. This model began to be tested in different countries on various continents and by 2015 it had been replicated in pilot projects in more than 15 countries on four continents Can the insights and solutions to some of the issues in the Global South help the UK to recover and rebuild differently in a post-pandemic era? WEvolution’s Global South Speaker Series is an opportunity to listen to and interact with simple, inspirational and system-altering programmes and movements from founders in the Global South. WEvolution #MeetSaveCreateThis event is co-hosted by The David Hume Institute.
Can the insights and solutions to some of the issues in the Global South help the UK to recover and rebuild differently in a post-pandemic era?
WEvolution’s Global South Speaker Series is an opportunity to listen to and interact with simple, inspirational and system-altering programmes and movements from founders in the Global South.
Part 1 / 4 in conversation with Catherine Wanjohi
“Working alongside some of the most marginalised women in Kenya, Catherine has demonstrated an unwavering resolve to create spaces for these voices so that they are actively represented in the wider society and economy." Noel Mathias, Founder and Managing Director of WEvolution
Catherine Wanjohi is the Founder and Executive Director of Life Bloom Services International, Kenya. With over 14 years’ experience supporting women and girls trapped in prostitution, poverty and violence, Life Bloom Services has supported more than 10,600 people through individual interventions and group development.
Catherine is the Director for Sub Sahara Africa at the International Association of Community Development (IACD) and currently one of two Vice Presidents here. Catherine believes in an, "Everyone is a leader" model of leadership and we’re truly thrilled to have her join our speaker series.
WEvolution