VILLAGE SOCIAL FRANCHISES
Illustration for the use of social franchise funds for Barefoot Eco Enterprises and marketing Barefoot Eco Products through Bicycle Brigade and Donkey Cart Brigade.
SOCIAL FRANCHISES FROM VILLAGE FUND
On our surety, four Maa (Mothers) Committees in Pono Village were provided a sum of Rs. 50,000 per family for building a room and shared eco toilet. The Bank of Punjab provided the loan as Qarz-e-Hasna to be returned to a village fund for continued improvement of the village.
Soon after the work was taken up by the village and over 70 houses had been built, Flood 2020 occurred which wiped out all belongings; however, those houses that were built withstood the disaster extremely well.
As Maa Committees began to return the loan, and Heritage Foundation, through its own grant in the entire area which was developed as a holistic model, brought about environmental transformation as well as increased incomes.
BEGINNINGS OF SOCIAL FRANCHISE LOANS
On our suggestion, Maa Committees invited proposals for providing low interest loans for requests for Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000.
So far 15 loans have been provided to various village barefoot eco entrepreneurs, whose monthly earnings have been substantial.
Because of the introduction of the Barefoot Brigades of bicycles and donkey carts, all produce and products, including eggs collected from each house, are being marketed in surrounding areas on a regular basis.