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When Maheshwari arrived in Kadayampatty, India, to look after her sick mother-in-law, she was a shy young housewife full of worries for her family's future.
With two children to look after, rent and medical bills to pay, and her husband earning very little in his labouring job, Maheshwari knew she had to overcome her shyness and get to work on improving their lives.
“Where I had come from, they had a Self-Help Group for women, so I told women around this area that I wanted to start one," explains Maheshwari.
"I made friends with a teacher called Parvati. She co-ordinated with the World Vision office, while I got the women together. In 2002, our very own Self Help Group was started."
Each woman paid Rs 25 to Rs 50 (57 US cents to US$1.15) per week depending on what they could afford. The money added up quickly and soon there was enough to offer community loans.
Maheshwari is just one of many women who have used the bank to put up money for a small business.
“Our family took a loan to make packets of tea leaves. Then we thought about what else households needed. We did some homework, visited a few shops, and found out how to make cleaning products."
The business has grown so quickly that Maheshwari's husband has now joined her.
“We started by making five litres per month, we now make 50 litres. We invest Rs 50 in buying the items then we sell it for Rs 100. In shops, one litre costs Rs 30, but we sell it in the market for Rs 16, so people come to us. We're even taking orders.”
Cows make school easier
Maheshwari's first loan was Rs 5,000 (around $110), to buy a cow. In 10 months she repaid the entire loan with 2% interest.
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Maheshwari's daughters help her look after their valuable cows
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She's now onto her third loan, and her second cow. The milk she gets from them easily pays back the loan and there's even money left over for her girls.
Maheshwari says the Self-Help Group has given her more than financial assistance.
“Because of the group I feel like I can talk. I can also go and do home delivery of my items, even if my husband is not there. Initially I was scared - what would people think or say? Now I can go and speak to people confidently and market my items.”
Maheshwari has big plans for her daughters, and they don't involve cleaning products. "I want them to study well and get a job. They should only join our family business if they want to.
"People only think of boys and their status, but we are working hard so our girls will have good status too."
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