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Srimathi - Dairy Product Production in South Asia  
This mobile road side milk stand is one small part of a growing dairy business that is run by an amazing business woman named Srimathi.

Srimathi took a loan from a micro-finance program (PEER Servants partner in South Asia) that offers loans and business training to help people get on their feet economically.

She started with one cow and now has three cows and four calves. With her cattle she produces fresh pasteurized milk and ice milk pops and sells them at nearby schools. She makes milk toffee, yogurt and ghee (milk fat and whey, used in cooking). And she purchased a small shop where she sells her products and other grocery items.

Something very impressive about Srimathi's business is that she is able to do the production, the packaging and the sales of her products herself! She faithfully attended the business training programs offered and now she helps train others in product production. In addition, she and her husband are working on developing a farmer co-op in order to help other small businesses grow.

The staff of the loan program say that Srimathi serves the community as an example of what hard work and persistence can accomplish.

Did you know:
  • After decades of economic growth South Asia remains the most impoverished region of the world. Three-fourths of South Asia's population survives below $2 a day.
  • Low educational attainment and poor skill levels have made it difficult for the poor to take advantage of employment opportunities created by the economic growth.
  • 62% of the population is without access to basic sanitation. 55% of women are illiterate. 46% of children under 5 are malnourished. (Human Development in South Asia Report 2006)
 
Your gift can help one of the many creative entrepreneurs in South Asia like Srimathi who can take the investment, establish a thriving business, provide training to others and transform their communities. Even though there has been significant economic growth in South Asia in recent years, the poor are largely excluded. In addition, many in this part of the world have been struggling to recover from natural disasters, ethnic/religious discrimination and war. Your gift can help those who feel helpless and forgotten to regain hope, use their creative skills to start small businesses and change the culture of poverty. The average amount to help a person start or grow a small business in South Asia is $300.

I would like to give:
$300 to help someone start a business in South Asia.
a share of this amount.

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