With more than fifteen years' of experience in the social service sector, social worker Shri Rajojula Brahmachari from Andhra Pradesh helps in strengthening (SHGs) in India

Self-help groups (SHGs) in India are considered as an important method of poverty alleviation. Among women it is a tool for empowerment, developing leadership abilities among the poor, increasing school enrolments and improving nutrition. 

Self Help Groups (SHGs) are small groups of people from financially weak backgrounds. The members of an SHG face similar problems and help each other, to solve their problems. SHGs promote small savings among their members. The savings are kept with the bank. This is the common fund in the name of the SHG and gives small loans to its members from its common fund. 

Although SHGs provide some economic stability to its members, it has been found often that they lack basic education needed to establish small businesses or make effective financial decisions. Often they need guidance of an impartial third person or body. Several organisations in India are working in this sector and under their council many groups have been able to become self-sustaining and financially stable.

Vidya Bharati alumni, Shri Rajojula Brahmachari is one such individual who has been working closely with self-help groups for more than a decade.

Mr. Brahmachari hails from Ramagundam, Telangana, and is an alumnus of Sri Saraswathi Sisumandir where he had studied till class 10. Since his early school days, Mr. Brahmachari, was immensely affected by the teachings of school and wanted to enter the social service sector. Hence after completion of his schooling, he took up 'Sociology' as his chosen subject in college. 

After doing his graduation he started working as ‘District resource Person’, SHG, where he worked for almost 2 years, before shifting to Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, where he was appointed as ‘Customer Relations cum Center- Coordinator’. Later he worked as ‘District Coordinator’ under Construction Industrial Development Council and as ‘ITES Trainer cum Center- Coordinator’ under Skill Pro Foundation.

It was in the year 2011 that he joined his present organisation ‘Mahila Abhirvuddi Society (APMAS)’, first as a ‘Capacity Building Officer’ and then moved up to become ‘Project officer’.

In 1998 there was a need for the establishment of an autonomous state level institution to strengthen the SHGs and provide technical guidance to the institutions. It was suggested that an autonomous institution be registered, with the name Andhra Pradesh Mahila Abhivruddhi, which would work in the development of all SHGs in the state and thus APMAS was  formed.  Although this institution works across several states in India, like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, Mr. Brahmachari works mainly in Andhra and Telangana region.

Speaking about his school, Mr. Brahmachari mentioned that his interest in social work started during his school days, whose importance was advocated by his teachers.  He also cited that his school has also helped him to develop his personality, soft skills and sense of nationalism. 

Before ending the interview, Mr. Brahmachari urged all Vidya Bharati students to develop their sense of service and be associated with nation building in whatever capacity they can.

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad thanks Shri Rajojula Brahmachari for taking out time and sharing his inspirational story with the community.

 If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and would like to share your experiences and achievements as well, please email us your contact details to info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will contact you back.