The Ujjivan Board decided to apportion a part of our profits last year to empower customer leaders and the branch team at the field level to undertake Social Development Programs (SDP) of their choice preferably to support the welfare of their (customers’) children. The Social Development Program is to be carried out at 130+ branches this year and Rs.3.15 Million has been allocated towards this initiative. The program involves a decentralised and participatory approach with the view to empowering the customers & the branch team to jointly decide to undertake urgently needed community development projects to benefit the families of the area especially children.

The pilot program was run in Ramanagara where the customers and branch staff decided to enhance the facilities in their local government schools. The local authorities – Block Education Officer and school Head Masters embraced this initiative by thoughtfully outlining the needs of students. Ms. Kumari, an Ujjivan customer, said, “I did not expect Ujjivan to provide such social services to us. It is indeed a very special occasion for us and the children in our area”.

All stakeholders expressed their happiness to be part of this unique initiative, where 14 schools in Ramanagar were provided with storage facilities for drinking water and mats for student seating. Mr. Thammaiah, from the Block Education Office, thanked Ujjivan for implementation of this social program and felt the intervention was much-needed and timely.

This Social Development Program is in addition to the Health Camps & Sports Day programs that Ujjivan undertakes for customer families and children jointly with Parinaam Foundation.