"The most important part is that I am not dependent on anybody for managing my money."

Lavina Dandekar

TAILOR AT NIRMAAN COLLECTIVE

Lavina yearned to be the kind of person who had an ATM card. This seemed for a long time like an unrealistic goal... until 5 years ago when she joined Nirmaan Collective. For both practical reasons (to allow direct deposit of earnings) and to support self-reliance, artisans are required to have their own bank accounts. The group management helped Lavina to set up her bank account.

As owner of a new account, she faced a learning curve. And she needed some time to become used to a new situation and skill. "I had never had an account in my name, so when I got one at first I didn't use it much, " she admits. In the beginning, when she had to withdraw money, she asked her husband to go with her for help and moral support.

"When I received an ATM card from the bank, it was very exciting for me. I had seen other people use it and had found the process fascinating. But I was still apprehensive in the beginning and my husband went with me the first 2 or 3 times." Now, however, she feels that she fully understands the process and can handle it on her own.

"I am thankful that it is so easy now to withdraw cash. The ATM allows me to withdraw just the amount I want. Even more important is that I can withdraw it exactly when I want." She is leery of online transactions, though: "I hear about so many cases of fraud and cyber-crime." Being in charge also means being careful, she feels. For now, she is thrilled to be able to withdraw funds so she can pay for school fees and utility bills on time. "The most important part is that I am not dependent on anybody for managing my money." She has become that independent person who has an ATM car and knows how to use it!

Nirmaan Collective is one of the older (started in 1995) and larger groups, with 41 women artisans. Some of the artisans at Nirmaan ("To Create") have been members for 30 years. These more experienced members help to keep things running smoothly. This diverse group is notably opinionated and spirited, but questions and problems get hashed out to everyone's satisfaction. They are close-knit, ready to provide help and support to a member in need, and happy to participate in new programs. Nirmaan owns machines to sew both woven and knit garments, and the artisans underwent special training. Asked to agree on 3 values to describe their group identity, they came up with 4: Unity, Hard Work, Quality and Communication.