& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Encouraging Self-reliance among Women
A SHIA Khatun, a mother of four, credits the Association for Social Advancement (ASA) for helping her achieve self sufficiency : "My husband lacks the ability to work as he is crippled. My daughters take care of him and do the domestic work In my absence Meeting the expenses of a family of six became possible only because 1 got credit from ASA". She used a loan from ASA to finance a small wholesale and retail fish operation which rtow supports her family.
Khatun is one of thousands of women ASA. a long time partner of the Coady Institute. Canada, has helped take con-'rol of their lives since it started working with the poor in 1978.
At that time, a group of development workers from different non-government agencies formed ASA with one vision in mind — the establishment of a Just society. To. a< hleve this goal. ASA staff developed plans to empower the [Kx>r. ensure people's participation in their own development and to facilitate access to local resources.
The Coady Institute has been helping ASA achieve its objectives by providing training and consultancy services. The Institute's partnership with the association began In 1989 Since then a number of staff members have participated In the Institute's courses In Canada, many more have joined In workshops in Bangladesh
In recent years. ASA has developed a "self-reliant approach" to people's development The main characteristic of the approach Involves encouraging self reliance by making small Investments within a short span of time.
According to the association s chief executive officer. Shaflqual Chowdhury, since ASA began its comprehensive credit programmes in 1989, there has been a positive Impact on the lives and incomes of many a landless grassroots people.
ASA distributed Tk. 570 million (• 17,million CDN) until June 1993 as credit to 162,214 members in 9.816 groups." reports Chowhdhury. The "rate of repayment was 99.99 per cent. ”
To improve self sufficiency and access to technologies. ASA provides education and
training. Members also meet regularly to discuss savings strategies. These meetings provide an opportunity to build group discipline, group cohesiveness and group strength. A door-to-door programme used to motivate prospective target members to join.
The advancement of women is another principal objective of ASA. Almost 100 per cent of its group members are women. They regularly participate in
to contribute to their community '
According to ASA's associated coordinator Nelson Rema. "ASA is a grown up organization with a proven and tested development mbdel."
ASA'# self reliant development model has been designed to provide the poor with easy terms and easy access to credit. Its collateral free credjt programme with weekly re--payment and savings schedules
Development Education classes which directly help them increase their awarness, says Chowdhury.
“When women earn their own income It reduces their economic dependence on money lenders and male part ners. The self-reliant approach has enabled women to engage in homestead production, mini trading, and poultry, fish and dairy production. This type of economic involvement socializes women and allows them Meanwhile, in Bangladeeh. the Impact of ASA programme* is changing the lives of people such as Ashia Khatun.
"Now I am free from all debts." she says. “I do not need to go door to door In search of money. As profits have' increased, my children have resumed schooling and I can now afford to buy warm clothes during the winter for them. I am satisfied. ASA's credit programme helped me attain economic emancipation, which is a great achievement for me."
A Correspondent
builds up institutions at the grassroots level. These then become the stepping stones for self reliance and the sustainable development of the poor.
Already a great success In Bangladesh. the model was recently Initiated Jn Cambodia with tiie help of donor agency HEKS-Swltzerland. There is also fhe possibility of programme replication in places such as the Philippines and Indonesia. Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, the impact of ASA programme* is changing the lives of people such as Ashia Khatun.
"Now I am free from all debts." she says. “I do not need to go door to door In search of money. As profits have' increased, my children have resumed schooling and I can now afford to buy warm clothes during the wintdr for them. I am satisfied. ASA's credit programme helped me attain economic emancipation, which is a great achievement for me."
A Correspondent