Trail Blazers - IFAD

Villagers of Napak Songma did not know how they could use a Self-Help Group
(SHG) to its full potential for better livelihood. They had little awareness of the various
Government schemes and had poor linkages with departments meant to facilitate their life.
Women always stayed indoors taking care of their children and spouse; disinterested in
any kind of petty business or livelihood enhancement activity; and seldom participated in
village meetings. This was a sleepy village until MLIPH project intervention in 2006.
Marshilina Sangma is our women champion from this village and this is her story. A young
lady of twenty-four years, she is married to Amiyel Marak and a mother of two little girls.
She is an active member of A. Chakpek K. SHG since 2006, is also member of Goera
K. Federation plus an ASHA worker. “We are ten members in our SHG and we all work
together as a group on any initiative we decide upon,” Marshilina shares. “Belonging to the
SHG has helped us all broaden our thinking and even as women, we have managed to
generate new activities that have earned decent money for our families,” she adds.
Before becoming part of the A. Chakpek K. SHG, Marshilina and her husband were
making ends meet with profits from small-time trade. She used to work with the Social
Welfare Department on a part-time basis doing health surveys in nearby villages. “I used
to work for three hours a day between 3 and 6 pm and the Department would pay INR 500
(USD 11) per month,” Marshilina recalls, “but after I joined the SHG, I quit my job because
I felt we could do business and earn more money.” The family owns some land and grows
Heliconia (Bird of Paradise) for a living. “We used to sell each flower for INR 5 in 2008, but
now-a-days the price has dropped to INR 4 a piece,” Amiyel explains. “We planted 500
saplings and on an average the plants bear about 1500 flowers in a year.”
Members of A. Chakpek K. SHG work together as a group on initiatives they decide as a team.
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