AmritaSREE project enters its 17th year; Amma’s Ashram has spent ₹85 crore in financial aid for COVID-19 relief
Hyderabad : AmritaSREE (Self-Reliance Education & Employment), the women’s empowerment program launched by Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), has completed 16 years and is entering its 17th. Currently, AmritaSREE comprises 15,000 groups with more than 2.5 lakh members in 21 states. Most of the members are from villages and other isolated rural areas.
This year, the Math organised the anniversary event at Amritapuri, where it launched a second instalment of a COVID-19 aid package to SHG members. It consists of financial assistance, grocery kits and clothes worth ₹35 crore. Aid is also going to people affected by recent floods in Kerala.
Amma explained this is support for the fact that these women sincerely try their best to stand on their own two feet. “They do not shift their responsibilities to anyone else, or depend on others, or blame others. If we focus on the faults and shortcomings of others, there will be time for nothing else. Instead, take up the reins of your life firmly in your own hands and move forward,” she said.
“Many of the AmritaSREE members in different units have been able to put in money and start their own businesses. Many have been able to build homes for the homeless with profit from their businesses. Many were able to conduct weddings with the money. Many were able to give money to others for treating illnesses. Even though those people did not have much, they had the attitude to contribute what they had earned through their hard work.”
Sri C.R. Mahesh, Honourable Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly for Karunagapplly, attended the event and expressed his gratitude for the positive impact AmritaSREE has had upon the women and their families.
“As a social worker who represents this area, when people unburden their sorrows, unknowingly my tears flow. People all around us are in debt, sick and dying because they cannot afford treatments. The sadness that started with floods continues unabated due to COVID and we Malayalees are pushing ahead with sadness,” he expressed.
“It is during these times that Amma is showering us with her grace. Irrespective of religion, caste, creed, or affiliation, accepting all those who come to Amma, receive her love and care. Amma consoles them and lightens their sadness. The noble activities that Amma is doing, that this Math is doing; as the people’s representative, I am happy and extend my support.”
AmritaSREE started in 2004 in the wake of the Indian Ocean tsunami. The natural disaster not only destroyed thousands of lives, but also seriously impacted the fishing industry. When the fishermen and their families explained the crisis to Amma, she immediately understood that alternate forms of livelihood were necessary and that the women in the households should learn to develop new skill sets to help their families make ends meet. With this goal, Amma launched the community-based self-help group program.
Sri Arif Mohammad Khan is the Honourable Governor of Kerala and virtually attended this year’s event to declare the launch and distribution of aid to the SHG members. He shared how he was deeply moved by the story of a poor village woman who came to Amma about a disease that affected the poultry in their village, and that Amma spent a long time speaking with the woman about it.
“For an affluent onlooker, the death of two or three hens may sound very small. But for the poor woman, poultry-rearing was a means of livelihood. When she saw her hens dying, the village woman realised that the rhythm of her life was disrupted,” Khan said.
“Amma realised this and considered it her duty to give her patient care and console her. The message that Amma gives is that there is nothing holier than feeling the pain of those who suffer. That is the essence of all devotion.”
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has provided close to ₹50 crores in direct financial assistance to AmritaSREE SHG members. Because the pandemic continues unabated, the Math has decided to now give an additional financial assistance of ₹35 crores.
With this, the total amount contributed since the onset of COVID-19 stands close to ₹85 crores. These contributions include ₹10 crores the Math contributed to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and three crores given to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund towards COVID-19 relief measures in April of 2020.
Every year, on the anniversary of AmritaSREE’s launch, the Math provides a seed grant of ₹30,000 to each SHG. Over five-lakh sarees are also distributed to AmritaSREE members, along with new clothes for their families. Even when the COVID epidemic hit in 2020, Amma ensured all necessary help, including food kits, reached all AmritaSREE members.