Samanvita Program

The program has been designed with the objective of reaching out to disadvantaged sections of society and providing them livelihood opportunities in sustainable manner. Samanvita is a Sanskrit word which means inclusion and women empowerment. The program involves community mobilization through community meetings and awareness programs on public health and menstrual hygiene to seek their active participation in developing clean neighborhoods. In the next phase, needy women from the community are trained so that they can be employed in a biodegradable sanitary pad unit set up in their neighbourhood. Samanvita program has been executed in Pilgao village of north Goa district in Goa on a pilot basis. Tulip Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. has funded the project under CSR. The program has developed synergies with village panchayat, local sports club and citizens to achieve program objectives. The project was inaugurated on 20th October, 2019 by Shri Shripad Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Government of India in the august presence of Chairperson, Zilla Parishad, Sarpanch (Chairperson) and elected representatives of the village panchayat, women SHG members and citizens of the village. The successful implementation of the program was published in various media channels. During Covid, business activities at the village unit of Ubantu Foundation were severely affected due to the lockdown and low purchasing power of the consumers. To cope up with the challenge, Ubantu Foundation started a stitching project and women at the Unit were trained to stitch handkerchiefs, carry bags and other fabric products. Efforts were also made to get quality raw material for stitching work from the industrial hubs located in Kolhapur and Bangalore. Currently, around twnety five kinds of fabric products are stitched by the women groups at the village unit and the products are sold among the members of SHG federations of Goa and at NCUI Haat established in Delhi for empowering SHGs. Alongwith this, Ubantu Foundation has also trained and engaged women for making food items like Goan sweets, pickles and papad which has got good business potential.

 

Training on Digital Literacy

In 2025, The Ubantu Foundation organized training programs in Pilgaon and Chimbel villages of North Goa for SHG women on digital literacy, financial literacy, and business development. Ms. Manisha Gupta, Resource Person of Ubantu Foundation conducted a session on the application of bio-enzymes. She explained how these sustainable, eco-friendly solutions made from fruit waste can be used to create household products such as shampoo, toilet cleaner, and more. Ms. Gupta also shared ideas on branding, packaging, and market linkage strategies, encouraging participants to explore entrepreneurship as a path to self-reliance. These sessions not only enhanced the skills of the SHGs but also instilled confidence in them to start and manage their own micro-enterprises. Furthermore, Mr. Abhishek Agrawal, an experienced digital literacy expert highlighted the gaps in digital and financial literacy, emphasising the importance of safeguarding against cyber fraud. The session was well received by the participants, who gained valuable insights into protecting themselves online. Additionally, he shared strategies for enhancing their existing products through better branding and promotion too. The overall training fostered a spirit of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and self-sufficiency, reinforcing the potential of SHGs to drive grassroots economic development and women’s financial independence.