Two Regions

ASA concentrates on two regions for scaling up the confidence levels of rural disadvantaged women. One area is motivation for self-development through leadership roles performed by the group members themselves. The other is the creation of a suitable environment for the realization of self-development and a rise in standard of living through life-centered education sessions at group meetings. Members are informed of existing services and facilities and encouraged to take advantage of them. Increased income of members is spent on their children's schooling, housing, health and family planning services reflects fundamental behavioral changes of the poor towards life.

Typical income generating activities include rice-related activities, raising poultry, livestock, small trade and handicrafts. It has been observed that the borrowers invest their credit amount in small projects with quick and regular return, which they themselves select and operate. Below is an example of a typical puffed rice project, common among members. This project is in great demand, especially in those regions with access to urban markets through middlemen. The borrower usually goes to the village market twice a week, 40 weeks per year conducting her business. Cash is accumulated at roughly 4% per week on the invested amount after paying all relevant costs along with miscellaneous family expenditure.