Latest News & Events

Previous Next

ESAF celebrates 20th Anniversary ESAF celebrated 20 years of service on March 24, 2012 in Thrissur. The 6-month long celebrations were inaugurated by C.N. Balakrishnan, Co-operative Minister. During his inaugural address the Minister commended ESAF’s focus on social development. I.P Paul, Mayor, Thrissur presided over the function.Livable cities project jointly promoted by ESAF and Health Bridge, Canada was inaugurated by the Mayor. The project is aimed at creating a safe city for children and pedestrians. Therambil Ramakrishnan, MLA, Thrissur distributed the best ESAF Entrepreneurs Award. The Agricultural Technology Manageme... Read more

ESAF observes World Women’s Day ESAF observed World Women’s Day on March 08, 2012. K. Paul Thomas, Executive Director, ESAF inaugurated the function and the program was presided over by Mereena Paul, Chair Person, Grievance Cell. The key note address for the day was delivered by Advocate Subi Babu, Deputy Mayor, Thrissur Corporation. M.L. Rosy, Standing Committee Chair Person, Public Works, K.A. Usha, Sub Inspector, Thrissur Women Cell, Geethu Ramdas, Student Counsillor, George Thomas, Director Operations, ESAF Microfinance and Jacob Samuel, Director ESAF Healthcare also spoke on the occasion. Read more

ESAF participates in ‘Surakshayannam 2012’ ESAF participated in the international exhibition and workshop on disaster management held at the picturesque Kanankakunnu in Trivandrum on March 04, 2012. Oommen Chandy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala inaugurated the program. The exhibition, titled ‘Surakshaayanam-2012', and a two-day workshop were jointly organized by the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management, Kerala, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority and the Institute of Land and Disaster Management. The workshop was attended by an array of international experts and practitioners in disaster management. From ESAF, Roy... Read more

ESAF participates in Fair Trade Alliance Building Meet ESAF participated in the Fair Trade Alliance Building Meet on April 24, 2012. The invitees participated represented a cross section of the population covering consumer activists, environmentalists, FTF members, academicians, students, award winning farmers, planters, FLO executives and NGO leaders. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance delivered the keynote address and Sridharan Nair, Vice Chair, FTF India presided over the function. Read more

ESAF launches livable cities project in Thrissur ESAF has launched the ‘Livable Cities’ project for Thrissur on Mar 23, 2012. Earlier ESAF had successfully completed similar kind of initiatives in the cities of Bangalore and Nagpur. The main goal behind the endeavor is to make the city friendly to children, pedestrians and cycle riders. Shahul Hameed, Asst. Commisioner, Thrissur inaugurated the discussion. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance, presided over the function held at Hotel Ashoka Inn. Representatives from various walks of life including politics, schools, clubs, and resident associations participated in the program... Read more

ESAF Organizes Fair Trade Exhibition As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, ESAF has organized a Fair Trade Exhibition on March 24, 2012 at Town Hall, Thrissur. International Resources for Fair Trade (IRFT) supported ESAF in organizing the event. The exhibition was inaugurated by C.N. Balakrishnan, Minister for Co-operation. 25 stalls were set up for the exhibition. There were exclusive stalls for ESAF Dumka Products, Prerana and Kudumbashree. Other stalls covered products like Terracraft, Anikar, Poultry, Dairy etc. On the first day, the exhibition recorded a footfall of 4,000 (from 10.00 AM - 03.00 PM). Read more

ESAF observes World Safety Day ESAF observed World Safety Day on March 05, 2012. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance spoke at length on the importance of safety at work places. Five fire extinguishers were placed at the Corporate Office as part of the observation. Read more

ESAF organizes Gloria 2011 At the Head Office Christmas program was celebrated on Dec 22, 2011 at Parish Hall, St Antony's Church, Mannuthy. Cultural programs including Kids Programs were organized as part of the function. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance presided over the function. P.M. Francis, District Collector, Thrissur, delivered the keynote address. George Thomas, Director Operations and Jacob Samuel, Program Director also spoke on the occasion. ESAF branches across the nation cheerfully celebrated Christmas from Dec 17 -20, 2011 at all Area levels. Chief Guests of the programs cut the Christm... Read more

ESAF - IRFT organizes joint Fair Trade Program ESAF and International Resources for Fairer Trade (IRFT) jointly organized a Fair Trade Program - Pro-sustain, at Thrissur (Mannuthy) on Dec 21 – 24, 2011. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance inaugurated the program. Gaynor Peas, CEO IRFT visited the venue on December 22, 2011. The program was funded by European Union and other social-oriented agencies like Hivos, FTF-India & Shop for Change gave outside support to the program. The theme of the program was 'building environmentally sustainable production and consumption practices'. The program was an opportunity to inform ... Read more

ESAF participates in Microfinance India Summit 2011 ESAF Microfinance participated in the All India Microfinance Summit held in New Delhi on Dec 12 -13, 2011. The 8th Microfinance Summit was organized by Access Development Services at Hotel Ashok in New Delhi. Y.C. Nanda, Chairman, Microfinance India Advisory Group, welcomed the gathering. The 'State of the sector report 2011' authored by N. Srinivasan was released during the inaugural session. The theme of the conference was 'bridging the hiatus, building trust'. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance was a panel member for the session- Health Plus Microfinance held on Dec 13, 20... Read more

ESAF commemorates World AIDS Day ESAF branches across the country commemorated World AIDS day on Dec 01, 2011. The program was held under the aegis of ESAF SHG Federations in all the states in which ESAF had presence. In Thrissur district, the program at Puthiyapalam was inaugurated by Sri Therambil Ramakrishnan, MLA. K. Paul Thomas Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance presided over the function. C.D. Sunny, Area Manager, Thrissur welcomed the gathering. Rajan Nair, Scientific Assistant, Medical College, Thrissur delivered a lecture on AIDS awareness. ESAF Blood Donation Forum conducted a blood donation camp after the program... Read more

ESAF organizes stakeholder consultation meeting for Micro Energy Program ESAF organized a stakeholder consultation meeting on Dec 16, 2011 at Thrissur, related to the Micro Energy Program initiated with Micro Energy Credits, USA. More than 100 sangam members participated. The objective of the program was to understand the buying approach, attitude and behavior analysis on the demand and utility of energy saving products among the clients. As per the program, ESAF is planning to distribute solar lighting systems, water purifiers, and efficient cook stoves to its current and potential members. The clients were enthusiastic in their response and clarified their doubts... Read more

ESAF organizes Sweater distribution As part of Christmas celebrations, ESAF organized a sweater distribution program for poor children at ESAF Child Care Centre in Jharkhand. Coupons were distributed to all the departments and branches across the board. Amount collected from the initiative was used to purchase the sweaters. In the program held on Dec 19, 21 and 22, 650 sweaters were distributed to the children from 14 child care centers of ESAF. Read more

ESAF organizes rally at Karnal Bagh ESAF Central India, organized a rally at Karnal Bagh, Nagpur as part of the Livable Cities Project to demand more functional parks for the children. ESAF has identified two non functional parks and a Park Council was formed as part of the project to ensure its functionality. Read more

ESAF joins hands with MicroEnergy Credits ESAF Microfinance formally launched its association with MicroEnergy Credits Corporation USA, on Nov 09, 2011. MicroEnergy Credit is a financial intermediary, which links Microfinance institutions to the carbon markets when they lend for clean energy. K. Paul Thomas, Managing Director, ESAF Microfinance inaugurated the program held at ESAF Head Office, Thrissur. Christudas K.V., Director, Natural Resources Management, ESAF, welcomed the gathering. Jennifer Tam, Fellow, Microenergy Credits made a presentation which described the benefits of the program to all stakeholders.  Jennifer Tam ... Read more

“To be a sustainable, professionally managed and transparent institution, providing financial services, with emphasis on economic development and empowerment of the poor and the marginalized segments of the society.”

“To positively impact the lives of the neglected class across India, by offering them exclusive financial services along with livelihood development services, healthcare, education, housing and training for skill development.”

Visit ESAF Youtube Channel for more videos

Humble Heroes

Zeenath Siddique, Kerala

40 year old Zeenath Siddique's life is a typical example on how hard work pays off with the right support. She proves that attitude is the key for success and believes that success doesn't come easily...     Read more

Shalini Yashwant, Maharashtra

The life of Shalini Yashwant Wagde (aged 34) is another example that illustrates the positive impact microfinance can create to build a new India...   Read more

Premambikai, Tamil Nadu

Premambikai, owns an 'Instant Mix' rice flour producing in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, and is making it big among micro-entreprenaurs. As a healthy break-fast...    Read more