Summary of Need

In the very center of India lies Nagpur, the “city of snakes.”  With a population of almost three million, Nagpur has more than 350 slums where 30% of the people live.  Situated in an agricultural area specializing in cotton and oranges, it has very few industries.  Poverty is rampant.  The poor live in unsanitary conditions with no running water.  Children are malnourished. They have little access to health care. 

By using small business training and small loan programs, Five Talents International plans to help the poor in Nagpur and surrounding communities with an opportunity to improve their living conditions, to live with dignity and to practice the values of stewardship, honesty and sincerity in the spirit of Jesus Christ.

 
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Community Description

The program is located in the State of Maharashtra India in the city of Nagpur, the third largest city in the state. Despite having several colleges and hospitals, there are few major industries so that unemployment is very high. The economic condition of poor people is alarming. The average wage of the poor is $1 to $2 a day. The poor people live in small huts, which have tarps or plastic cloth roofs, no running water or bathrooms. The children are malnourished and there is no easy access to medical care because it is very expensive and families cannot afford to pay for it.

Project Description

The program uses the group-lending methodology with groups, named talent banks, consisting of groups of 10 to 15 members. The minimum size of a loan is $70 per member. The purpose of the loan is to help establish and promote growth of micro businesses like dressmaking, small retail shops and bakeries. The loan is given on the terms of 12 to 15% interest on flat rate and is for 10 to 12 months. Before the loan is given, the capacity of the borrower to earn, the size of business and the market are examined to ensure success of the venture.

Project goals:

1. To assist and give credit to small entrepreneurs to enable them to start or strengthen their micro-business, giving them self-employment and creating jobs to alleviate poverty.

2. To provide technical and business management training and skills to entrepreneurial applicants

3. To provide professional trade skill training, in various professions such as computer operation, commercial typing, dress design, tailoring, embroidery etc.

Implementing Partners

Through a formal agreement, Five Talents International will work with an indigenous organization, Community Development Services (CDS), to provide services to the Church of Northern India (CNI).  CDS will provide staff and logistics to operate the program in Nagpur. The Church of North India, which includes the Anglican Church, has endorsed the work of CDS and all on the CDS Board of Trustees are members of CNI.  The executive director, Rev. P.Y. Singh, is an Anglican priest.  In addition to the loan program, the Five Talents program will integrate a Health Awareness and Preventive Treatment Program that supports those in the micro-credit program.

How you can help

Five Talents International is seeking the help of individuals and churches in our efforts to serve the poor. We need $10,000 to continue funding of loans given through this vital program.  By giving to the work in Nagpur, your gift of $75 or more will be multiplied as shown below.

• On average one job is created per every $75 - $100 loaned.

• Each job supports about 9 people

• A gift of $1,000 in the first year provides 10 jobs. That means 60 people will be supported.

• The multiplier effect means your $1,000 gift will keep regenerating for years to come.

Help us break the cycle of dependency by supporting the Five Talents International Nagpur, India program.  You will be fighting poverty, creating jobs and transforming lives!

Please join us by making your contribution to Five Talents International. Together we can fight poverty, create jobs, and transform lives in Nagpur, India.