The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Rotary International all set to kick off microcredit movement in Tamil Nadu

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Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Rotary International all set to kick off microcredit movement in Tamil Nadu

Ramya Kannan

Over 1,200 SHG members to attend conference today in Chennai

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Wilfrid Wilkinson.

CHENNAI: As Rotary International gets ready to kick off a massive microcredit movement in Tamil Nadu here, its president Wilfrid Wilkinson is in town to bolster the cause with his support.

“Our experience in the area will be our strength,” he says. Rotary International and Rotary Clubs of India in particular have rich human resource; people with vast experience in their fields contributing time, talent and resources towards the cause.

“We have accountants, lawyers, bankers, industrialists and manufacturers. They will bring in their individual talent and experience in the form of advice and assistance. Of course, they will also contribute money,” says Mr. Wilkinson.

He will participate in a conference, which will be attended by over 1,200 self-help group members, mostly women, on Wednesday. Called by Rotary International District 3230, it is attempt at enhancing Rotary’s knowledge in the area of microcredit by facilitating direct interaction between Rotarians, SHGs and farmers. At a later stage, Rotarians will serve as mentors for SHG members, helping to set up viable entrepreneurial ventures.

While Rotary will play a cementing role, “holding all parties involved together,” Mr. Wilkinson says it will all depend on local circumstances. In some cases, Rotarians may serve as advisors.

The main task, according to this accountant from Canada, who has experience with credit unions, is to convince SHG members of the power of staying together. “We have to explain to people that the strength of micro credit is all about pulling together. Even if one pulls away, it hurts the group…For microcredit to work, there must be commitment from all members.”

Microcredit, he says, will always be a very important issue. Not only in developing countries, as is generally perceived, but also in some developed nations. The success of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and global acknowledgement for its founder is a demonstration that microcredit can work well.

The Rotary Action Group is advertising the concept of microcredit to the entire Rotary world, hoping that more clubs will be a part of this venture. Currently, there are plans to take the project to the rest of the country, South America and Africa.

Mr. Wilkinson also stresses the need to form partnerships with other agencies with experience in the sector to make the programme a success. Rotarians feel the venture will only succeed with partnerships; with the government, non governmental organisations, banks and dedicated Rotary members, who will be able to advise on taking up viable projects and also facilitate networking for marketing and sales.

Dedication is one quality the Rotary International president is laying stress on. He has informed the clubs not to encourage people who will not be able to spend time or be involved for a long period with the SHGs they have undertaken to mentor. “They have to be there for the long haul.”

Money, then, is not an issue. While particular allocations have not been made for the microcredit programme, Mr. Wilkinson says “we’ll find the money if there are worthy projects.” India is among the top contributors to the Rotary Foundation, he explains, and also one of the top spenders. They use the money well as they are probably closest to the people who need it.

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