Paving a New Way
Anjali Patwar, a 30-year-old mother of three from Gandhi Nagar, a small village in Kolhui district of Uttar Pradesh, faced financial challenges as her husband’s income from managing his father’s tent house business was insufficient. Determined to improve her family’s standard of living, Anjali opened a small jewellery and cosmetics shop in her village with no initial capital. That is when she came across Mitrata, a microfinance institution that provides small loans to people like her who lack access to formal banking services.
She initially took a loan of INR 30,000 from Mitrata to start her business. Over four years, she took multiple loans, with the latest being INR 50,000, to cover working capital expenses. Anjali’s shop thrived, increasing her monthly income from zero to INR 60,000. Her family’s living standards improved — her children attended a good private school and her mother-in-law received proper medical care. Inspired by her, other women in her village began their entrepreneurial journeys.
Janteera’s Determination
Janteera, an ordinary rural woman from Badahara Devicharan village in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, stands out for her care and passion for her family. A member of the Joint Liability Group (JLG), she actively participates in group meetings. Concerned about her pregnant daughter-in-law carrying 20-liter buckets of water, she applied for a “Toilet Improvement Loan” through Seema Didi, the sanitation officer.
With the PRABAL loan, she installed a piped water facility and renovated her toilet within a week. This improvement holds great significance for her family. Her story highlights the urgent sanitation needs of rural women — needs often unmet due to financial constraints. Through PRABAL, Mitrata is proud to support such inspiring women.
Start Small but Aim Big – Manju Singh
Manju Singh, from Bhagaura village in Gorakhpur, is a mother of two and runs her own dairy business. Her family depended solely on her husband’s income and owned a cow that produced very little milk. After learning about microfinance support, Manju and her husband took a loan from MITRATA.
With INR 20,000 from Mitrata and her savings, she bought a new cow and received training in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and dairy management. Supported by ANANYA Finance, she later took another loan of INR 30,000 to expand. Now, the family sells 10 liters of milk daily, and her husband also trades livestock. Their income has grown, enabling school for their children and empowering Manju to become a respected household decision-maker.
“The training has increased my confidence and will help me in the long run” – Manju Singh
A Small Start to a Big Dream
Sumitra Devi, a mother of three from Bihar, once worked with her husband as a daily wage laborer. Their financial condition worsened after their daughter’s wedding left them in debt. After meeting a Mitrata field officer at a village meeting, Sumitra applied for her first loan of INR 20,000 in August 2018 to buy two goats.
Her goats multiplied and she later took a second loan of INR 30,000 after entrepreneurship training. She expanded her business to 21 goats valued at over INR 1.5 lakhs. Now selling goat milk, Sumitra has transitioned from laborer to business owner and is a source of inspiration for other women in her village.
Urmila’s Wave of Change
Urmila, a 58-year-old from Bihar, had a toilet structure without basic facilities. After attending a center meeting where sanitation was discussed, she applied for a PRABAL loan through Mitrata. With the loan, she installed a toilet seat, door, and water supply — making her toilet fully functional.
Urmila’s success encouraged many others in the village to follow suit. Today, her story is a powerful example of how access to sanitation funding through PRABAL is changing lives and encouraging dignity and health among rural women.