Ujjivan held its first Customer Centre Leader Meet (CLM) in Mumbai for Chembur and Mankhurd Branches on 10/10/10. These branches serve over 6000 households in their locality.

Mumbai is a tough city for its 20 million plus citizens with time being the most precious commodity. Despite it being a Sunday, the only day when families get to spend precious time together in the fast daily life of Mumbai, over 500 women customer Centre Leaders, their relatives, children and other well wishers attended the function.

The daily grind which the working class goes through, earning their income, hardens even the softest of hearts. That’s why, what took place at the Centre Leader function that day was most unexpected and heart warming.

No sooner than the function began, one after another, women, without encouragement, took the initiative to come up on stage to share their personal stories – each one as moving as the other – and commended the work done by Ujjivan’s staff in helping them with financial support at the time of their need. Some used the loans for their children’s tuition fees, others to pay for their husbands’ medical expenses and yet others who needed it for their businesses at peak times. Women turned emotional, choking back tears while talking about their positive experiences.

If ever there is a tangible measure of social impact of microfinance, this is one.

Daily life in Mumbai is commonly played out in what are called chawls -- multi level small-apartment blocks with single small rooms, which usually accommodate a whole family, often with a shared bathroom for each floor. There's little privacy but there’s a strong sense of camaraderie and support among the dwellers.

And this was most visible at the Centre Leader Meet.

A session where customers offered feedback on other aspects of Ujjivan was followed by a fine cultural dance performance by customers, the event concluding with lunch.

Ujjivan’s staffs at Chembur and Mankhurd branches were extremely touched by the proceedings they witnessed and felt a sense of making a big difference to not-so-privileged lives.

Indeed the reason why Ujjivan exists.