In the early 2000s, a group of 15 housewives came together in the village of Thirupukuzhi in Kancheepuram to form the Durgaiamman SHG – to promote mutual support and economic empowerment among women. This group is the oldest among all our SHG’s and have grown along with us.

This group started out trying to learn skills and create jobs for the women among them. As their power grew, they moved to solving issues that the community faced. The SHG has since then become a force to reckon with in many ways; starting with getting bus service to their village, renovating the Anganwadi in their village and winning the Best SHG award from the District Collector. The 15 women of the SHG have gone places too – some are businesswomen with their own enterprises, some are brave breadwinners of the family while others have found freedom in education.