WSHG Exposure Trip

Women Supporting Women: CARE and Crusade Share Their Experience

SOTE supports more than 500 Women's Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) through our partner Crusade, which has over 20 years of experience helping women build financial independence, confidence and stronger community connections.

Our other partner, CARE Foundation, is now developing its own Women's Self-Help Groups. This created a valuable opportunity for the two organisations to share their knowledge and experience, helping newer groups learn from those that have been established for many years.

On 18 September 2026, CARE Foundation organised an exposure visit for 18 women from four Self-Help Groups in Malaiyankulam and Ozhalur villages. The women visited established groups supported by Crusade to see how they operate and learn practical ways to strengthen their own groups.

During the visits, the women observed how established groups organise meetings, manage savings and maintain financial records. They heard directly from experienced group members about the challenges they had faced and how their groups had developed over time.

One particularly valuable lesson was the importance of regular savings and responsible internal lending. The women saw how established groups had built up savings that could help members meet financial needs, reducing their reliance on external borrowing. They also visited an elderly women's group, learning how these groups can provide opportunities for social connection, mutual support and community participation.

The experience encouraged CARE's participants to reflect on their own groups and identify areas for development. They expressed a desire to increase savings, improve record keeping, strengthen regular meetings and develop their leadership skills.

This visit was about more than sharing practical knowledge. It demonstrated what women can achieve when they work together, learn from one another and receive the support they need to develop their skills and confidence.

We are proud that SOTE's support has helped bring CARE and Crusade together in this way. By sharing their experience, our partners are helping women build stronger groups and create more opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities.

We would like to thank CARE Foundation, Crusade and everyone involved in making this learning opportunity possible. We look forward to seeing how the women apply what they have learned as their groups continue to grow.