Despite the success of microfinance and other development initiatives, the bottom 5% of the poor are continually excluded. There are numerous slums, both declared and undeclared without access to adequate sanitation, housing, healthcare and employment facilities. Lack of basic amenities, food insecurity and high levels of debt are just some of the characteristics of this destitute section of society identified as the "ultra poor".
Parinaam and its strategic partner, Ujjivan Financial Services, realize that to be truly effective in treating poverty, the work must start from the bottom up with the poorest of the poor.
We believe that to economically and socially empower urban ultra poor (UUP) women and their families to break out of extreme poverty to the level of the bankable poor is through a holistic basket of assets which includes sustainable livelihood support and socio economic benefits.
The Parinaam Urban Ultra Poor Program aims at tackling generational and familial poverty rather than providing isolated individual female support, as do most ultra poor programs. The intensive program covers four critical components delivered over a period of 12 months. Monitoring of the families will continue for an additional 12 months on a "as needs" basis. As the women become capable of self sustenance the goal is to "graduate" them to microfinance and micro "plus" support. The 4 broad categories of interventions are:
- Sustenance/Livelihood
- Healthcare
- Financial & Social Services support
- Childcare & Education support
The Program is one of the first in urban India and is the first to take up the challenge of supporting entire destitute families with multi faceted initiatives. It was launched in September 2009 in a slum in Bangalore. The pilot will cover 240 urban ultra poor families (1200 beneficiaries). An impact assessment study will be conducted. We hope to eventually roll out the program to other cities in India.
Support for our Urban Ultra Poor Families: The total program will cost us Rs. 52,000/- for a family of 5 members.