Daniela Saldana-Coimbatore

Greetings from Coimbatore! This city showed me the rural side of India. Unlike Mumbai, Coimbatore is less crowed and people’s houses have more land where they keep their animals and/or their crops. The most significant aspect of my trip to this lovely city was to learn about the self-help groups (SHG). These groups are formed by women (each group has approximately twelve women) that with the help of NGO’s like Shanti Ashram, are able to create steady jobs, savings and micro loans opportunities for women and their families. For example, one SHG is in charge of the parking lot of a five-hundred-years-old temple, Perui. This group has been able to increase their annual revenue by ten percent and thus becoming role models for their community. Also, in this city I was able to see the acknowledgement for the need of women empowerment. For example, one newspaper, Hindu News, had three articles that addressed the low gender egalitarianism: female infanticide, SHG awards and women empowerment. My stay in Coimbatore was nothing by inspiring. I was able to meet wonderful women that have turned into role models; women who want to leave their mark in life. From this city I take home their life stories, passion and determination.