Mamatha joined Sainath Self Help Group promoted by SKDRDP in Sonandoor village in the year 2000. Mamatha and her husband Ramesh had a small hotel in the outskirts of the village. The income they got from selling coffee, idlis and sajjige bajil were barely sufficient to make their both ends meet.

Mamatha consulted other members in her group as what she can do to improve her condition. She started rolling beedies and earned Rs. 100/- per week when her first son was born. The family expenses went up with the birth of the child.

The hotel business was not bringing in much revenue so they decided to shift the hotel to the market area in the village and increase the product range. The SHG came to their help with the initial loan of Rs. 5,000/- and thereafter a SIDBI loan of Rs. 25,000/-. They introduced non-veg dishes in their newly opened hotel in the heart of Sonandoor village for which they paid a rent of Rs. 750/- per month.

The business improved. The pair purchased benches, tables, showcase, grinders from their loan and beautified the hotel and improved the quality. Today they earn an income of Rs. 1,000/- per day. They have a second son too. The first one who is good at studies, goes to fourth standard and wants to become an engineer one day.

She has recently taken another loan to buy property for constructing a house and a hotel in Sonandoor. She has paid an advance of Rs. 45,000/- for this purpose and would like to complete the deal by paying another Rs. 35,000/- soon.

Mamatha pays a weekly installment of Rs. 640/- on her loans and Rs. 10/- on savings which is today Rs. 4,705/-. Inspired by the business mindset in the SHGs, Mamatha and Ramesh are more focused on using their funds. She feels SKDRDP has given them the strength to plan for the future. For Mamatha and her children the future seems bright.