Begging is considered to be one of the most disgraceful ways of earning livelihood and people who survive by begging, belong to the most vulnerable and marginalized group of the society. With an intention of helping them lead lives with dignity and respect in the society Grameen Trust (GT) has taken steps to replicate the Struggling Members Program of Grameen Bank which has been exclusively designed for beggars. Grameen Trust started implementing Project Dignity through six of its partner organizations of Bangladesh since May 2006. Four new partner organizations have been incorporated in the following year. As beggars belong to the lowest rung of the society the terms and conditions of loan provision have been kept very flexible. Grameen Trust is providing interest and collateral free flexible term microcredit to the members of Project Dignity through its partners. By providing loans with flexible terms Grameen Trust intends to assist them find alternative ways of earning income other than begging to help them gain respect and dignity in the society. Grameen Trust has received funds from Citigroup Foundation through United Way International to implement this program.
- The program goals are:
1. Create an option for a begging-free honorable life for a beggar through interest and collateral free flexible term microcredit.
2. Provide basic literacy and mentoring to the struggling members.
3. Provide peer support to the struggling members.
4. Through Innovation Dialogue programs harness information about the field level challenges and innovative solutions for creating opportunities for the beggars.
5. Compile the collective wisdom of the Innovations Dialogue to disseminate within the partner network for adaptation and replication.
As of December 2007, a total of 1654 members have been provided US$ 38,674 as interest free loans. Total amount repaid by the borrowers is US$ 16,066. Members have saved US$ 3,227.Most of the members are women and live in rural Bangladesh. They have engaged themselves in income earning activities such as scrap business, peddling, selling homemade cakes, boiled eggs, etc. alongside begging. It is expected that members will gradually be in a position to earn living without having to beg. It has been observed that the members are becoming aware of their status in the society and have shown interest in leaving begging. Already 46 members have left begging and 10 members of them have joined mainstream programs of the implementing partners, which is very inspirational for the other members as well as for GT.