ESAF BALAJYOTHI CONDUCTS BAL UJWAL UTSAV

ESAF Balajyothi team of Maharashtra conducted a Balajyothi Arts and Craft Exhibition named "Bal Ujwal Utsav", as part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives.

It was a memorable programme for all the parents and children. The programme was inaugurated by Smt. Mane, Assistant Police Inspector, Nagpur Police Department. She along with the team from Sadar Police Station held a session on Child Safety Awareness in light of the rise in child kidnapping threats in Maharashtra. Shri. Vimal Davis delivered the presidential address and Shri. Amit Das narrated to the children, the story of ESAF’s inception and the journey of the organisation so far.

Various events such as quiz competition, solo dance, group dance and roleplay were also conducted as part of the programme. Overall, around 120 children and 50 parents participated from Nagpur.

Shri. Vishesh Sudhakar, Shri. Parikshit Haldulkar, Shri. Lankesh Borikar and Shri. Ashish Bernard from ESAF SFB and, Smt. Heena Das, Shri. Mahendra Sahare, Shri. Mithun Dhawle from ESAF Cooperative, and Shri. Rajendra Narnaware from ESAF Foundation and Shri. Jobin Varghese, Smt. Aruma and Shri. Vyshnavadas from Prachodhan Development Services, Head Office, also attended the programme. Also, a self-defence session was conducted by Shri. Sandip Tiwari from the Marshal Art Academy, Nagpur.

ESAF BALAJYOTHI ORGANISES STUDY VISITS TO SCIENCE CENTRES

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Balajyothi team of Maharashtra organised study visits to Raman Science Centre, Nagpur and Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai. The study visits gave the children an opportunity to learn about various scientific experiments and other science-related practices that are put to use in daily life. Around 120 children participated in the study visit in Nagpur while 55 children took part in the study visit organised in Mumbai. Shri. Charudutta Pulliwar, Project Officer, Raman Science Centre, was present during the visits and he spoke to the children about various scientific practices and their application in daily life.

ESAF BALAJYOTHI ORGANISES WORKSHOP ON CREATIVE CARTOON MAKING SKILLS

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Balajyothi team of Assam conducted a workshop on Creative Cartoon Making Skills at Majuli Lahanti Community School Campus. 45 children from three clubs participated in the workshop and shared their creative ideas and knowledge on the topic. The session was led by Shri. Baldev Kashiyam of Sesta NGO and Shri. Hemant Phukan, a Research Scholar. The programme helped to enhance the learning skills and adaptive capacity of the children.

ESAF GARSHOM ORGANISES ONAM CELEBRATION FOR GUEST WORKERS

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR activities, ESAF Garshom organised an Onam Celebration for guest workers on 4th September at Malakkappara. The programme was inaugurated by Shri. Sumesh, Assistant Sub Inspector, Malakkappara Police Station. Various competitions were held as part of the programme. The prize distribution was also held on the same day. More than 200 people participated in the programme. Also, all the guest workers were served Onasadhya during the celebration.

ESAF GARSHOM CONDUCTS MEDICAL CAMPS

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR activities, ESAF Garshom organised medical camps at Kodakara and Mulli, Attapadi. The latter is one of the largest tribal settlements in Kerala.

The camp at Mulli was organised in association with the St. Francis Dispensary Clinic, Mannarkkad. Shri. N. Shamusudheen, MLA, Mannarkkad, inaugurated the programme online and Smt. Valliyamma, Ward Member, delivered the presidential address. Smt. Nanjiyamma, National Award Winner, was the chief guest. The authorities of Pudur Panchayat and Tamil Nadu Task Force extended their support in bringing the people from tribal colonies. They also sought the Garshom team’s support to organise camps in villages in the hinterlands of Tamil Nadu, where primitive tribal people reside. ESAF SFB’s Agali Branch Team associated with the Prachodhan Development Services Team to organize the programme. Students of Mananthavaday Study Centre (Kannur University) volunteered for the programme and around 160 people attended the same.

PDS DISTRIBUTES FOOD KITS IN FLOOD-HIT ODISHA

Prachodhan Development Services (PDS), under the Emergency Relief and Community Intervention of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiative, distributed food kits to 410 families in flood-hit Odisha. The activity was coordinated by the CSCs of ESAF SFB in Banki and Kamarda.

ESAF BALAJYOTHI FORMS CLUBS IN SCHOOLS

Under the aegis of ESAF Small Finance Bank, ESAF Balajyothi formed clubs in schools in Palakkad and Thrissur districts to support the holistic development of the students. 300 students joined the clubs in September. In the initial club meetings, the students were given the necessary directions on how to carry the club activities forward. Balajyothi Coordinators provided ample support to the student volunteers.

The medical camp at Kodakkara was held for the benefit of pottery makers in Kumbara Colony, Kodakkara. Around 65 people attended the camp.

ESAF BALAJYOTHI FORMS CLUB FOR VISUALLY CHALLENGED STUDENTS

As part of the CSR initiative of ESAF Small Finance Bank, ESAF Balajyothi formed a Balajyothi club for visually challenged children with the support of Mission to the Blind, an NGO based in Tamil Nadu. The clubs were formed for the benefit of the visually challenged children associated with the NGO. The first club for visually challenged children was formed at Ayothiapattinam, Salem, with 24 visually challenged children. The Balajyothi club sessions were handled by braille language experts and professionals who were specialised in taking care of children with visual impairments.

ESAF URJABANDHU ORGANISES REGIONAL MEETING

As part of the ESAF Urjabandhu programme, a CSR initiative of ESAF Small Finance Bank, a regional meeting was conducted for the Urjabandhus from Malappuram and Calicut districts on 3rd September 2022 at Kottakkal Vyapari Bhavan. A total of 16 Urjabandhus attended the programme. The meeting aimed at creating an internal linkage among Urjabandhus and it facilitated internships for new Urjabandhus. During the meeting, the Urjabandhus explained their mode of operation and bookings in the pipeline. Subsequently, the Agency Banking team explained to them the concept of micro banking and its various benefits

ESAF CELEBRATES ONAM WITH TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY

ESAF Small Finance Bank, under its CSR initiative, distributed Onam food kits to 50 transgender people who were struggling to meet their daily needs. The event was inaugurated by Shri. Ajayan M.G., EVP, ESAF Small Finance Bank, on 2nd September 2022.

ESAF ORGANISES ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACCELERATION PROGRAMME

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiative, an entrepreneurship acceleration programme was conducted by ESAF Foundation under the guidance of the Skill Training Department. A total of six training sessions were conducted for micro-entrepreneurs as part of the programme. The training was one of the many initiatives led by ESAF to make women, especially homemakers, from the financially weaker sections of society, independent. Around 160 women entrepreneurs took part in the training sessions.

The following were the training sessions provided in September:

• Fruit processing training at Kollam
• Bakery items making training at Thrissur
• Marketing & EDP training at Villupuram
• Paper bag making training at Kottayam
• Webinar on aquaculture and aquaponics
• Webinar on honeybee farming

ESAF will also provide handholding support to all the participants who wish to develop new businesses or upgrade their existing businesses through the initiative. Apart from ESAF officials, several public representatives also attended the training. ESAF also collaborated with many Government organisations such as Integrated Rural Technology Centre (IRTC), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to provide quality training.

ESAF DISTRIBUTES ONAM FOOD KITS TO DIFFERENTLY-ABLED STUDENTS

ESAF Small Finance Bank, under its CSR initiative, distributed Onam food kits to differently-abled students who come under Samagra Shiksha Kerala (BRC Ollukara). Special educators provide home tuition to physically challenged students. ESAF supported the children by providing them with Onam kits. The kits were handed over to the special educators.

ESAF ORGANISES “SADGAMAYA” LIFE SKILL TRAINING FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS

As part of the CSR initiative of ESAF Small Finance Bank, ‘SADGAMAYA’, a life skill training session was organised for the students of St. Raphael’s Upper Primary School, Kallur on 19th September 2022. Shri. Giji Varghese, ORC Trainer, handled the session and 41 students from 7th standard attended the same. The topics covered in the session were self-awareness, empathy, interpersonal relationship, and creative thinking.

ESAF ORGANISES FPO CONSULTATION

As a part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiative, a Farmer Producer Organisation consultation meet was conducted at the ODP (Organisation for Development of People) Training Centre, Mysuru, on 23rd September 2022. Representatives from 13 FPOs and two resource institutions took part in the meeting. During the meeting, certificates were also handed over to the Pashumitras.

ESAF SANTHWANA ORGANISES MEMORY WALK

As part of ESAF Small Finance Bank’s CSR initiatives, ESAF Santhwana organised a Memory Walk to create awareness about “Dementia- its warning signs and preventive measures”, in connection with World Alzheimer’s Day and Month 2022. ESAF Foundation partnered with the Social Justice Department, ARDSI (Alzheimer’s Related Disorders Society of India) and Club FM to organise the Memory Walk.

The inaugural session began at 10 a.m. at the Thekke Gopura Nada at Swaraj Round, Thrissur and the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Jacob Samuel, Director, ESAF Foundation. Shri. M. K. Varghese, Mayor, Thrissur Corporation, inaugurated the event. Shri. K Paul Thomas, MD and CEO, ESAF Small Finance Bank, delivered the keynote address.

The Memory Walk was flagged off by the Mayor. The participants included National Service Scheme volunteers from 19 schools and 2 colleges in Thrissur. The Nursing College students of West Fort Hospital also participated in the event.

The Memory Walk which covered almost 2 km ended at the Vadakkechira bus stand. It created awareness on Dementia and highlighted the point that we must “Remember those who cannot Remember”. Apart from the Memory Walk, the MSW students of St. Thomas College, Thrissur, performed a street play on the theme “caring for the persons affected by Dementia’’.

ESAF BANK CONDUCTS A TRAINING SESSION FOR NABARD OFFICIALS

ESAF Small Finance Bank, upon the request of NBSC (National Bank Staff College, NABARD's training institute for NABARD Officers), conducted a session on the subject "SHG Bank Linkage Programme in Kerala and JLG Financing". The Business Correspondents Channel and Sustainable Banking team of the bank participated in the event. They led the session and demonstrated the usage of Micro ATMs to the officials.

RANI BUILDS A ‘NIRMAL’ LIFE FOR HER CHILDREN

Rani Dubey is a strong-willed woman who hails from Garhakota, Madhya Pradesh. She has been a member of ESAF JLG for the past six years. The sudden demise of her husband four years ago turned her life upside down. As a single parent, Rani has trodded many thorny paths to create a comfortable life for her children.

An excellent cook, she opened a Mini Tiffin Centre to support her family. Soon, her delicious dishes attracted customers and her eatery became a local favourite.

Despite the success of her business, Rani was bothered by the fact that their home did not have a proper toilet. As any other parent, she too wanted her children to grow up in a safe and hygienic environment. It was during this time that she heard about ESAF Small Finance Bank’s Nirmal and Jeevan Dhara Loan. Without much ado, she contacted her JLG for an additional loan.

With the loan amount of Rs. 20,000 she received from the bank, she was able to build an enclosed bathroom inside her home. Rani was grateful to ESAF bank for the timely service it provided to improve the standard of living of ordinary women like her.

ESAF Nirmal Loans – Clean Life- Safe Life
As narrated to Yesshaswi K. S., Sustainable Banking Department

CLEAN WATER IS NOT A DREAM ANYMORE

This is the story of Venkatachalam and Vijaya, a couple from Tiruvannamalai. Vijaya has been a member of ESAF JLG for five years.

The lack of availability of clean drinking water in their area was a major concern for the couple. They tried their best to arrange clean drinking water for their only daughter, Rakshitha, but it was not something they could afford with their meagre incomes.

It was at this juncture that ESAF Small Finance Bank came into their life like a ray of sunshine. Soon, the couple applied for a loan from the bank and received the same within a short span of time. The couple also received guidance from the bank on how to set up the water purifier in their home.

The couple thanked the bank for the part it played in ensuring that their daughter had access to clean drinking water.

With a smile the family testifies – Save Water- Live Green
As narrated to Krishnapriya T.S., Sustainable Banking Department.