The seed of our association with women’s issues was sown way back in 1987. Science activists from all over the country discussed the issue of science popularization. It emerged that, without basic literacy, popularization of science among masses will always remain a dream. Therefore, for eradication of illiteracy with whole concept of literacy movement in the state was initiated along with the other states of the country.

 

After completion of the literacy program it was found that most of the learners and volunteer instructors were women. The women wanted to learn and do a lot more. Then with the help of few like minded people discussed the issue among these women. In a series of workshops, the participants after thorough discussion and inputs from various sectors chalked out a set of rules and regulations and finalized the aims and objectives for formation and governing of SHGs under the name of PROCHESTA. The first group of team leaders was trained by FWWB, Ahmadabad in the later part of 1998. The formation of groups spread horizontally like wildfire in rural Assam. This forced Prochesta to organize panchayat and state level workshops on various aspects of SHGs like thrift & loans, formation, nurturing, accounts keeping reporting etc. As such in April 1999 Prochesta was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The management structure was finalized and Board of Directors was constituted in due course. Few organizations came forward to help Prochesta to grow in an organised way.

 

In September, 2012 the organization was registered under Assam Co-operative Act 2007 (Assam Act IV 2012). Presently the organization is working as a co-operative.