Thirty-five-year-old, Manishaben Damor from Dahod had a dream to open a small kirana (grocery) store that could support her family and serve her community. But like for many women in rural India there were challenges to make her dream come true. She didn’t have the means to start off her business.
This changed when Prayas Finance, a local microfinance institution supported by Gojo & Company Inc offered her a small loan. This gave Manishaben the much-needed assistance she needed to launch her own grocery store which is now earning between 200 and 300 rupees a day. To some, that might seem small, but for Manishaben it means stability and she knows with this start she can build a future with dignity with her own hands.
“At first, I didn’t know where to start or who to ask,” she said. “Now I not only run my store, but I have learned so much from others like me. Through this platform, we help each other grow.” Manishaben’s journey is part of the Digital Financial Inclusion Project (Pasio) which was launched in September 2022 through a partnership between Education Above All (EAA) Foundation and Gojo & Company Inc. Pasio is designed for young rural entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 to provide them the necessary tools, skills and confidence to manage their businesses.
The project, with Prayas Finance, provides essential digital financing tools which includes a mobile banking app that offers real-time loan balance updates and easy repayment tracking. It also connects them to community learning platforms, an online shop and tailored business education resources. The project has made a huge impact in India, with more than 51,000 young people gaining access to loans and financial training. Pasio is helping build sustainable livelihoods especially for women in underserved communities by blending financial access, digital literacy and peer learning,
Through Prayas Finance, Manishaben also joined the Pasio Community, a WhatsApp-based network where entrepreneurs share experiences, challenges and success stories. “Financial independence is not a number in a bank account,” explains Ernest Dube, Enterprise Development Senior Specialist at Education Above All Foundation. “It is the moment a woman stops asking for permission to dream. Yes, Manishaben is earning steady income, but what really changed is her confidence. Money opened doors, but the community taught them to walk through with their heads held high. That confidence? That’s what breaks generational cycles of poverty.”
For Prayas Finance, the Pasio partnership represents more than microfinance. “Through our partnership, the Pasio project is a game-changer for young entrepreneurs in India,” said Abhisek Khanna, MD & CEO of Prayas Finance. “It’s not just about providing loans but it is also about giving them the confidence to gain a brighter future. By focusing on financial and digital literacy, we are giving women the tools to manage their own businesses, gain financial independence and truly transform their lives and communities.” Today, Manishaben’s kirana store is a success and her family gets a steady income, redefining success of a rural community.
