15 Groups, One Vision: Celebrating a New Milestone in Ballia’s Women Empowerment Journey

Change is often slow at first, but once it takes hold, it becomes an unstoppable force. Today, GJKS witnessed the power of that force.

We are overjoyed to announce the formation of our 15th Self-Help Group (SHG).

Reaching the milestone of 15 groups is a significant achievement in numbers, but the real story lies in the spirit of the women joining us. What started as a small initiative has turned into a widespread movement across the villages of Ballia.

From Hesitation to Eagerness

In the early days of our mission, our volunteers spent hours counseling families, explaining the benefits of unity and financial independence.
Today, the dynamic has completely shifted.

We no longer have to convince women to join; they are coming to us.
The women of our 15th SHG didn’t just sign up to save money—they signed up because they are “eager to work.” They have seen their neighbors in existing SHGs earning through Sattu making, incense rolling, and dairy farming, and they are saying, “We want to change our lives too.”

The Power of 15

With 15 active groups, we have now created a formidable network of hundreds of women. This isn’t just a social gathering; it is an economic engine.

• More Hands: More women means increased production capacity for our Smart Store.

• More Voices: A larger collective voice to advocate for village improvements.

• More Resilience: A stronger financial safety net for hundreds of families.

A Cultural Shift

The most beautiful aspect of this milestone is seeing women step out of their domestic thresholds with confidence. They are no longer defined solely by their household chores; they are defining themselves as entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and community leaders.

As we welcome this 15th group into the GJKS family, we are reminded that our role is simply to provide the platform. The courage, the hard work, and the burning desire to succeed belong entirely to them.

Here’s to the 15th SHG, and to the many more that will follow.