WHAT IS A CO-OPERATIVE?

"The people's welfare can best be secured by institutions organized by the people themselves, because these institutions are most likely to possess the characteristics that appeal to the people and therefore the stability to perpetuate their services"- Alphonse Desjardins.

What is a Co-operative?

A co-operative is define as an autonomous association of persons united voluntary to meet their economic, social, cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise. A co-operative may also be defines as a business owned and controlled equally by the people who use its services or who at it, who are referred to as members (International Co-operative Alliance).

Like companies co-operatives are economic organizations whose income generating activities are devoted to the economic and social welfare of their members by providing services which enable individuals to improve their personal skills and economic means for self advancement.

Co-operative is an idea, a thought, a certainty that yes we can, that anything the human mind can believe, the human mind can achieve. It is also important to note that "every individual forms his own estimate of himself and that basic estimate goes far towards determining what he or she becomes. You can do more than you believe you can. You can do more than you believe you are. Belief stimulates power within yourself. Have faith in faith. Don't be afraid to trust faith."

Co-operative approach implies:-

• Treating people as origin of action, not as objects to be manipulated or serviced
• Encouraging people to work together and help one another solve mutual problems
• Designing useful structures, processes, products and services so as to meet people's needs rather than profit making purposes alone.