Poverty’s answer is digital. And comfortingly human.

Meet Komal, Grameen Community Agent, and her client Madhuri in Ajimabad, Bhandara.

In India, local Grameen Community Agents are known as “Mittras”, which translates in Hindi to “Friend of the Village.” Nothing could be truer.

Komal brings financial stability to her village with Mobile Money services. Ten feet outside her front door, a neighbor stops her to digitally pay her utility bill. Another ten feet, another neighbor, securing his government pension. And so on, and so on, all day long, everywhere ever she goes. It all happens with a mobile phone and a biometric device that recognizes people by their thumbprints. Often, clients come two at a time, they talk and share.

A year ago, there was no Grameen Community Agent in their village. Everything was harder. Especially for her neighbor Madhuri, who had to walk 6 miles each way, heavy with child, to the bank for her government services money. When Komal introduced Madhuri to mobile money services, a press of a thumb replaced her ordeal and her life changed overnight. Her health improved and so did her ability to save money for her new baby’s education.

Komal is not just a “friend of the village”, she is the glue of the village. Everyone in the village isn't just financially stronger now, they feel closer too and Komal is the reason why. She does so much for everyone and is so kind, she brings people together.