N.Polaiah

Discovering Capabilities

My name is Polaiah and I come from a village named Takkellapadu in Prakasam district. I come from a very poor family. We didn’t even have a hut to live in. My family work as daily-wage laborers to earn some money. When we didn’t get any work we would have to starve. Some days we had food only once a day. To add to the misery, I was born a handicapped person. Since I can’t do any work, as an adult, my parents still work hard to feed me. Most years of my life have gone with me drowned in self-pity and completely depressed. Gathering my courage I would go and ask some farmers to employ me to take care of their goats and buffaloes. But they denied my offer because I am handicapped. Then I would go back to drowning in self-pity, thinking I was not capable.

As a Christian I go to Covenant church and one day my pastor told me about the CBC grant and encouraged me to apply for it. After a lot of hesitation I applied for the loan and surprisingly I was selected for the grants. Someone actually believed in my ability to have a business of my own. I received a loan of Rs. 30,000, with  which I was able to purchase 5 goats. In two months my income has been Rs. 20,000. Everyone in the village is astonished that I, being differently abled, have been doing a business of my own. Many people, being normal are not able to do so. I thank God for giving me an opportunity through CBC to find my capabilities. I am able to support my family, which I never thought would happen. We were able to build a house. I am very grateful to CBC for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.