Rue Dumas and naturally-the three Musketeers!
Can never keep myself from monkey business..
Indias new generation celebrating Ghandi and Independance Day
Auroville is a universal town where men and women of all countries aim to live in peace and progressive harmony, conscious of and researching into sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind. I was planning to explore Auroville more but an exciting opportunity came up, making me change my plans and return to Delhi already tomorrow.
"the Canyon" created by Kireet in Auroville
Garden of Eden or Gaia's Garden, Auroville
Gustav, Ebba and I
Having still quite a bit to do for Hand in Hand, I made the close to three hour journey back to Kancheepuram in the traditional Indian Ambassador style last night.
Today I have visited and conducted interviews with several of the entrepreneurs stemming from the self-help groups managed by Hand in Hand. Focus of today’s visits was the so called Citizen Centers (computer/telecom centers) or amongst HiH employees, more commonly known as CCs.
The goal with the CCs is to offer entrepreneurs a microfinance loan that enable them to buy computer(s), printer, photocopying machines etc and create an income generating businesses as well as a venue where people come together and discuss important issues that will help increase transparency and awareness of the developmental works initiated by the local pantheist leaders (local Indian government).
After visiting several of the centers today. It is clear that it is a challenge and a half. The CCs we visited were most likely making some profit, however exactly how much was impossible to find out as the entrepreneurs had no idea themselves. When crunching them on figures they gave us answers that simply did not add up. No logbook was kept with amount of users or how much each user paid.
We eventually concluded that if they still existed after 1-2 years and were paying off the loan given to them by Hand in Hand – they must be making “some” profit.
Some of the centers were better managed than others; making use of the location being opposite a school and offering computer games, or if the centre was in area with many business offices and then offering photo, printing and copying services that are frequently sought for in India.
I am still gathering my data and will need even more before putting together a full case study. I have no doubt that the Citizen Centers carry huge potential but they need to be supported, controlled (by HiH?) and followed up in a structured way for the entrepreneurs to make them successful to their full extent.
Citizen Centre
Interview with Sathya, female entrepreneur
Some of the services offered.
Great services but could do with some marketing skills..
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar