THIRUMALAI CHARITY TRUST DEVELOPMENT CORE STRATEGIES : THE GRAMA SANGAM  
Socio-economic self-help groups called Grama Sangams have proved to be a powerful mechanism for
empowering women to overcome ignorance and poverty and lead lives of  happiness and fulfilment
The success of this mechanism has been vividly demonstrated in 642 Groups formed by 11788 women in Vellore District, who mobilised their own small savings, and attracted bank and other external credit, enabling large numbers of them to raise 18877 loans aggregating to over Rs 7 crores, without getting into the traditional trap of bad debts. These resources have enabled them in large numbers to start income-earning businesses, secure education and training for themselves and their children, discharge their family and social obligations, and  rise above poverty. The role of Thirumalai Charity Trust in all this has been to be a PROMOTER, TRAINER, FACILITATOR AND AUDITOR Here are some typical real life examples of individual and collective achievement under this strategy.  

Indirani of Theeyarkuppam Village	She started life afresh with a tailoring unit
Arpudammal of Vallimalai Village	A new enterprise at retirement age with a cycle shop
Pachaiyammal of Balamudur Village	From debtor to President of the Sangham
Erusamma of Diguvapalli Village	Innovation revives her cloth vending business
Gunavathy of Perumal Gavandanur Village	Risk taking pays off with a grocery shop
Saroja of  Thengal Village	On her new transport business
Manohari of Mettuthengal Village	Supports her son to set up a successful Automobile Mechanic shop
Anandhi of  Keeraisathu Village	From Sangam Secretary to  dynamic Panchayat Member
The Vasur Village Sangam that launched an All-Women Milk Society	The Chathrampudur Sangam that secured closure  of a liquor shop
Individual savings - the first step in empowerment	Collective savings - the basis of total empowerment

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