Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHG)

40 Years of Auroville’s Village Action

Feature

In 2023, Auroville’s Village Action Group (AVAG) celebrated 40 years. In this issue of Auroville Today we publish excerpts of the December 2023 newsletter of AVAG, highlighting the transformation AVAG has achieved in the life of women from the surrounding villages.

Empowering women, transforming communities: AVAG's loan initiative

Feature, By Shevaughn Pimenta

AVAG's director Moris addressing a women groups’ meeting

All For WATER For All

Feature, By Gita

The pandemic’s effect upon the local villages

An interview with Anbu, By Alan

A recent British Academy report on the U.K. post-pandemic situation concluded that “We are in a COVID decade: the social, economic and cultural effects of the pandemic will cast a long shadow into the future... there are a set of deeper impacts on health and wellbeing, communities and cohesion, and skills, employment and the economy which will have profound effects upon the U.K. for many years to come”.

Auroville Village Action’s response to the second wave

Feature, By Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG)

In April and May 2021, India witnessed a surge in COVID-19 infections, with the country seeing over 3,50,000 fresh cases of COVID-19 daily, one of the highest one-day tallies anywhere in the world and the number of deaths was also increasing every day.

Neighbours learn more about each other

Feature, By Ain Contractor

Women from Annai Nagar accompanied by Aurovlians working at Auroville Village Action and the Joy of Learning visiting the Matrimandir

Recently, exchange visits took place between Auroville and the neighbouring village of Annainagar. Ain Contractor, a volunteer with Auroville Village Action, describes the event.

Tamil Nadu and Auroville: an enlarged cooperation

Opinion, By Alain Bernard

Women self-help group (SHG) members from across Tamil Nadu learning to prepare herbs based primary health care products as part of the SLI programme

Alain Bernard, a trustee of Auroville Village Action, introduces the Sustainable Livelihood Institute (SLI) project, a joint project of Auroville and the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Promoting poor girls education in the villages

Editorial, By Ing-Marie

A meeting of the Women’s Self-Help Groups at Auroville Village Action Group

At the end of June, the Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG) received a 1 Crore grant from Motherson Sumi Systems Limited through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, for a project that aims to increase access to education for poor girls.

A 4000 ladies’ special

Event review, By Inge van Alphen

Performers at the Women’s Solidarity Festival

Six years ago, Auroville Village Action (AVAG) organized its first Women’s Solidarity Festival. Thousands of women from AVAG’s Women’s Self-Help Groups came together in an event that was described as unique, path-breaking and intensely motivating for all participants.