Bainabai Sagar - Mann Deshi

When she was nine years old, Bainabai Sagar was married to an abusive alcoholic.  Her cruel mother-in-law only added to her misery and despair.  After many years, she finally left her husband and returned to Mhaswad with her children, and started work as a wage labourer in the fields.

There, Bainabai enrolled for Mann Deshi Udyogini’s financial literacy course and was soon able to open her own chai (tea) stall which has proved to be very successful. Bainabai has become a figure of respect in her community, with women coming to her for business advice. Her husband does return twice a year to demand money, but basically Bainabai is happy that she can feed, clothe, and educate her children. Her daughter is currently in 12th standard and Bainabai hopes that she will continue her education and go to university next year.

“Now women come to me for advice about interest and instalments and I can give them round figure estimates of costs right away. Not only do I go to the Bank, but I convince other women who wouldn’t normally go.”