ESAF BANK CONDUCTS THE SIXTH BATCH OF URJABANDHU TRAINING

As part of its CSR initiatives to support social entrepreneurs, ESAF Small Finance Bank conducted the sixth batch of Urjabandhu training at Mithradham Renewable Energy Centre, Aluva. The session was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. George Peter Pittapillil, Director, Mithradham, in the presence of Shri. Bijumon, MSME-TI, Thiruvalla, Shri. Kannan D., MSME Trainer, and Shri. Vaisakh Mohan, Project Coordinator, ESAF.

23 participants from across Kerala attended the five-day residential training programme on Solar PV System installation and maintenance. The professional trainers from MSME-TI took sessions on different aspects of Solar PV Systems installation and maintenance. The training covered the design, installation, and service aspects of different Solar PV Systems. Apart from this, an exposure site visit was also conducted for the benefit of the Urjabandhus. The interactive practical session provided the participants with an interesting learning avenue. The Sustainable Banking team along with the ESAF Foundation team took part in the training programme and interacted with the participants.

ESAF SANTHWANA ORGANISES MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAMME

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Santhwana associated with the bank’s Alappuzha branch and organised a Mental Health Outreach programme on stress management, on 26th August 2022. The session was inaugurated by Smt. Rihanath, Ward Counsellor, in the presence of Smt. Poornima and Smt. Sony. Smt. S. Mini also addressed the participants. A total of 44 women took part in the programme. The session was led by Smt. Merina Josephine and Smt. Rosemary from the Santhwana team.

ESAF SANTHWANA CONDUCTS YOGA TRAINING SESSION FOR THE ELDERLY

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Santhwana partnered with the Varantharapilly Gram Panchayat and organised a half-day Yoga training session at the Varantharappilly Gram Panchayat Hall on 30th August 2022. The session, conducted under the Panchayat’s Thanal Project for the welfare of the elderly community, was based on the theme of Active Aging. Smt. Ajitha Sudhakaran, Varantharapilly Gram Panchayat President, inaugurated the session. Shri. P. D. George, President, Thanal, delivered the welcome address. Shri. Shaiju P., Ward Member, presided over the function. Dr. Jacob Samuel, Co-Founder, ESAF, chaired the programme and delivered the theme talk. He encouraged the participants to live an active life by practising Yoga daily. He reiterated the fact that while we cannot stop the ageing process, we can try to make it beautiful and healthy. Shri. Reji Koshy Daniel, Head, Sustainable Banking, ESAF Small Finance Bank and Shri. Saiju. P.S., Sustainable Banking, ESAF Small Finance Bank, also spoke on the occasion. Shri. T. L. Kochappan, an 87-year-old participant, came forward and shared a few childhood memories related to the Indian Independence Movement.

After the inauguration, Smt. Reshma Nair, a Yoga trainer, demonstrated deep breathing exercises and various other seated yoga exercises which could strengthen vision, neck/shoulder muscles and limbs. She explained how ageing affects different parts of the body and highlighted the health benefits of stretching exercises, ranging from injury prevention to mobility maintenance. The participants were trained on a combination of simple stretching and strengthening postures with deep breathing exercises. After the Yoga session, games sessions were also conducted for the elderly.

ESAF SANTHWANA OBSERVES WORLD SENIOR CITIZENS DAY

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Santhwana conducted a street play at Chithampakkam, Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, in connection with World Senior Citizens Day. The play that was held on 20th August 2022, was based on the theme: “Taking care of the Elderly in Society”. The play revealed the problems faced by senior citizens in the community and the ICMR Project Associate, created awareness on the rights of senior citizens by explaining the same to the audience.

ESAF BALAJYOTHI CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Balajyothi organised Independence Day celebrations across India. In Kerala, competitions on the theme “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” were organised in several schools. Around 98 students from seven schools participated in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Quiz and Elocution competitions held in different schools. The children who came first and second were selected for the final round of the competitions held at CAHSS, Ayakkad on 12th August 2022. 14 two-member teams participated in the quiz competition while 14 children participated in the elocution competition.

Shri. A. S. Suresh, Head Master, CAHSS, Ayakkad, announced the winners and the prizes were jointly distributed by Dr. Jacob Samuel, Co-Founder, ESAF, and Shri. Reji Koshi Daniel, Head, Sustainable Banking, ESAF Small Finance Bank. They also delivered motivational messages to students.

ESAF DISTRIBUTES FOOD KITS IN FLOOD-HIT SIRONCHA

As part of the flood-relief response ESAF Small Finance Bank’s Sironcha branch distributed food kits to people affected by the flood. The initiative commenced on 20th July 2022 and was completed by 9th August 2022. A detailed list of the villagers affected by the flood was made and around 2,000 food kits were distributed in almost 37 villages. 91 Sangam members were also supported through the initiative.

The Balajyothi team in Maharashtra organised drawing competitions for students as part of the Independence Day celebrations. 175 students from Gittikhadan, Gorewada and Pitesur study centres, Darshan Colony Club and Hirvi Nagar Club participated in the competition.

The Balajyothi team organised a National Flag hoisting event in Majuli, Assam, in connection with the Independence Day celebrations. Around 30 children along with their parents participated in the event.

ESAF GARSHOM ORGANISES MEDICAL CAMPS FOR GUEST WORKERS AND SEVERAL OTHERS

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Garshom conducted 12 community medical camps for migrant workers, FSWs, NSS volunteers, women, and MGNREGS workers. A total of 692 people benefitted from the intervention. The community medical camps were effective in raising the health standards of the people and motivated them to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

ESAF AROGYAMITRA CONDUCTS AWARENESS SESSION ON HEALTH MANAGEMENT

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Arogyamitra OTHERS conducted an awareness session on Health Management among the students of Namoni Majuli College, Mohorichowk, Majuli. Shri. Alkesh Gogoi, Officer, Public Health Engineering Department and Shri. Brojen Pegu, Field Officer, UNICEF, were present during the event and shared their thoughts on hygiene and health management.

ESAF CELEBRATES WORLD SENIOR CITIZENS WEEK

ESAF Small Finance Bank celebrated Senior Citizens Week by observing ESAF Vayojyothi Week 2022, from 21st August 2022 to 29th August 2022. The initiative was aimed at honouring the elderly community. The Vayojyothi Week was officially launched by Shri. K. Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank during the Monday morning devotion held on 22nd August 2022.

The following activities were executed during the week for the benefit of the elderly people.

• Branch-level special meetings with senior citizens to build or maintain the connection (Financial Education and Digital Enablement)
• Joy for Ages Awards
• Visits to old age homes
• Product promotion drives

ESAF GARSHOM ORGANISES LITERACY PROGRAMMES FOR GUEST WORKERS

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Garshom organised Malayalam literacy classes for the children and families of migrant workers in Kerala. ESAF Small Finance Bank joined hands with Garshom Team and organised Malayalam literacy classes for the children and families of migrant workers in Kerala. The programme was conducted in association with Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority, under the 'Changathi' Project- A Malayalam literacy programme for migrant workers.