New Field Partner: Building stronger, self-sufficient communities in West Bengal, India, with BJS

They say that when you invest in a woman, you invest in an entire community. Today, families and communities across the developing world are experiencing the ripple effect of women’s empowerment. In a region severely lacking in financial services, Kiva is proud to offer our lenders the opportunity to support women and their communities in West Bengal through our new partnership with Belghoria Janakalyan Samity (BJS)!

Since 2006, BJS has been working to promote the holistic development of underserved communities in West Bengal by empowering the women at the center of these communities. While most competing MFIs focus solely on credit programs, BJS is making incredible strides in providing women in rural areas with the financial and non-financial means needed to attain their own independence and provide for their families.



BJS is a dynamic and exciting new field partner that is constantly looking to reach more vulnerable women and provide more key services to the communities that surround them. By pairing up with 843 self-help groups across the state, BJS has been able to reach over 10,000 clients, most of whom reside in rural impoverished areas.

With funding from your loans, BJS will be able to continue providing communities with its vital services, create new loans for its clients and expand into more rural areas that it would otherwise be unable to reach.



In addition to its loan products, the organization also offers women workshops in skill development, vocational training and capacity building. In an effort to directly support the communities that it serves, BJS has initiated a number of critical medical and educational initiatives, including the creation of an informal primary school in Laxminathpur for children aged 3 to 10 years.

In addition to all of this progress, BJS also regularly provides scholarships and awards books to high performing students throughout its network, and offers community members social awareness trainings on topics including sanitation, hygiene and the environment.

West Bengal is one of the most populous states in India, and one where over 70% of the population lives in rural areas. By bringing financial, educational and medical services to those who need them most, BJS has proven to be invaluable source of support to the local communities that it serves.

If you would like to help women in West Bengal achieve financial independence and lift their communities out of poverty then this is the partner for you. Make a loan through Belghoria Janakalyan Samity today!