Project DIGNITY
Project Dignity is a program through which Grameen Trust aims at helping beggars find alternative ways of earning income other than begging, by providing them with interest and collateral free flexible term microcredit. The project is a replication of Grameen Bank's program for the beggars known as Struggling Members Program. It is a holistic approach to fight extreme poverty, as it will help the most vulnerable and marginalized group of the society gain respect and dignity, through self-employment. GT is implementing the project through eleven of its partners in Bangladesh namely, CWFD, MSS, MAMATA, IDF, DSK, Padakhep, OPCA, SAP-BD, Hitaishi, BAWSE and Zagoroni.
This program has been designed in such a way that beggars will be motivated to join the program. The loan provision has been kept collateral and interest free so that it will not impose any extra burden on the beggars. Moreover, the members have been provided the flexibility of repaying loans according to their convenience. The members are provided with utility services that they lack most, such as blankets, mosquito nets, umbrellas etc. to lessen their vulnerability. They are mentored and guided by the field officers of partner organizations in utilizing loans effectively. They are also provided basic literacy training to develop and improve their entrepreneurial skills.
As of December 2008, a total of Tk. 63, 73,250 (US$ 91,046) has been disbursed to 4009 beggar members as loan. Loan repaid by the borrowers till December 2008 is Tk. 3,079,137 (US$ 43,987) and members have saved Tk. 525,009 (US$ 7500). It is worth mentioning here that already 58 members have left begging and 10 members amongst them have joined the mainstream microcredit program. The members who have already left begging are mentored and monitored so that they can join the mainstream microfinance program of the respective partner organizations without slipping back to begging again. Till December 2008, implementing partners have identified 710 potential members so that they can specially be guided to help expand their businesses to smoothen and speed up their process of leaving begging.