Samaan

 I recently got introduced to Kanta Maushi and Kausabai Tai who are house help in my apartment complex. They wanted to open a bank account for themselves. We opted for Punjab National Bank instead of Bank of Maharashtra since they wanted an account under the Jan Dhan scheme. I collected all their documents, but I found out that we also needed to get them to the bank. This meant that they would lose out on their work time, but it was essential. The first day we got done with almost everything, but we needed more copies of their photos so we couldn't get the work done. The second time I went with all the required documents but found out that as an address proof a letter from the landlord or an electricity bill would be required. However, they said that the landlord isn't willing to provide them with these documents. The only way this issue will be resolved is if Kanta Maushi's son is willing to get a signed form from the local corporators office. Hopefully, he will agree and ...

 I always wanted to grow Samaan to as many people as possible. I thought just working with domestic help won't be enough, therefore I thought of including security guards of my society as well. I pitched this idea to the security supervisor, Narhari kaka. He was extremely interested in the idea and noticed the relevance that it holds to them. This is why I decided to schedule a session with them on 6th February, Sunday.  I started planning with the basics. These were: The concept and importance of financial literacy, needs vs wants, expenses vs investments, value for money and lastly, a basic overview of certain investment options that will suit their financial needs and goals. I prepared these with the help of my parents.  On the day of my presentation, I was extremely nervous as it was my first time talking in front of them and even talking in Marathi with a larger audience. I wanted to ensure that everything from my slides to the projector worked perfectly for which I ...

Before I start, I would acknowledge that I have been inactive on this blog. It was because due to my SAT exam on the 4th of December; now that I have appeared for it, I will be able to dedicate a lot more time to Samaan and this blog. As I had to complete Sunita Maushi's work for the RD, it required me to go to the bank twice. Once to fill out a form and the second time to deposit cash. Every time before I went to the bank, there would be this slight restlessness in me that would make me nervous and jittery. I didn't enjoy that feeling one bit, however, I knew I had to do it. I asked myself what exactly made me nervous and the majority of the time, the answer to that was honestly nothing. It was just the fear of doing something I'm not used to. It was that reassurance that avoided me from giving in to my fears and every time I went to the bank and finally did the work, it always went better than I thought it would. This was just another part of my learning journey where I d...

 Mira Maushi is the new domestic help we've enlisted to work with us in Samaan. She also works at one of the families in my residential complex and they too have encouraged her for this. I made a visit to the house where she works and gave her further details and ideas about what exactly my project is. She was very encouraged and motivated to be independent. When I asked her for basic information such as how much she earns and who does her family consist, etc she told me that she's the main breadwinner of the household and while her husband earns, he spends all of his earnings on alcohol. He also abuses her and refuses to share any money with them. So her 2 adolescent sons and her rely on what she gets after working in houses. It was a shocking issue for me to digest since it is the first time I heard about a case of domestic violence and substance abuse first-hand. We all know it happens around us, but actually hearing someone talk about it like their everyday reality or somet...

 Finally, we have 2 maushis who are willing to open their Recurring Deposit accounts. This is a small, but sure beginning and we are excited to work with them. Their names are Sunita Maushi and Kaushalya Maushi. I am very excited to work along with them and help them through the process. Here are their photos holding their very own forms for the RD :) This is Kaushalya Maushi. She has also agreed to open a bank account in a new bank. This is Sunita Maushi. She has been our help for the past 3 years. I am helping her with an RD and availing phone banking services.

As I work with women, I'm realizing the amount of follow up it requires to get work done. A simple thing from a procuring document to a signature. Everything requires me to remind them at least twice or thrice. I don't blame them for it, though. I realize that they still haven't seen any importance or benefit of this which is why they don't treat it as something on the top of their minds. They don't have smartphones either, making it difficult to keep in touch over text. As a result, even the smallest of communication requires me to wait to meet them or call them.  All of this results in the process being extended by weeks. Somewhere, I also know that my fears hold me back from going all out and doing everything to get in touch with them to not seem too pushy. But I know that only being very proactive will allow me to achieve results but that is one thing I really need to work on and be less hesitant in getting my work done. This is definitely going to be something ...