The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) disbursed zero interest loans to 19 women street vendors as part of their ‘Uplifting Women Street Vendors project’ on 3 November in Kohima.

The beneficiaries are part of the project and each received an interest free loan of Rs 10,000 supported by Capri Global Capital Ltd (CGCL).

Neikule Doulo, Head of Communication, tEA, speaking at the programme shared how the Uplifting Women Street Vendors Project was initiated with the training of 16 women street vendors organised through the support of well-wishers.

She encouraged the women street vendors to be wise in utilising the loans and to make good investments. She further said lack of savings and knowledge to satisfy customers are the main issues that hinder the growth of businesses.

The project which was started in 2017 has thus far impacted over 5,500 women street vendors across Nagaland and Manipur by providing mentorship, trainings on skills development, business management, financial literacy and legal rights.

Vepelou Koza, Branch Head of North East Small Finance Bank, Kohima spoke on the importance of savings and encouraged those gathered to make savings a habit.

She also exhorted the women street vendors on building trust with the organisation by making the loan repayments on time.

Meanwhile, Mhabeni Ovung, a street vendor from Kohima, shared her experience on how the Entrepreneurs Associates has supported her in scaling her business.

tEA was started in the year 2000 by Neichute Doulo with the intention to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods in Nagaland and other Northeast states.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Azonuo Chietsii, Community Mobilizer, tEA. The invocation was pronounced by Kaguigailu Dhangmei, Youth Director of Rongmei Baptist Church, Kohima and vote of thanks was proposed by Imtisenla Longkumer, Communications Assistant, tEA.