When community coaches first met Gasi Malto in Bandu village, their conversations were not only about livelihoods or savings. Before Gasi and her family could access government schemes and financial services, they faced a more immediate challenge: making sure their essential documents were in place and up to date.
For Gasi’s family, as for many Pahariya Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) households in the remote villages of Pakur district in Jharkhand, updating an Aadhaar card or completing bank KYC was far from routine. It could be an important first step toward accessing services that could help the family build a more secure future.
For many of us, updating a document or completing a bank requirement takes little more than a few clicks or a visit to a nearby service center. In remote Pahariya villages, the same process can be much harder. Limited literacy, low confidence with digital services, poor mobile connectivity, and the cost of phone recharges can all make it difficult to keep essential documents up to date.
As one participant explained, “The nearest service center is nearly two hours away.” Reaching the center can mean arranging transportation, traveling for much of the day, and potentially losing a day’s wages. Even after making the journey, families may find that poor connectivity or the absence of an authorized operator prevents them from completing the process.
Some participants do not own mobile phones or rely on prepaid connections that are often inactive. Others have not linked their Aadhaar to an active mobile number, making OTP-based verification difficult. These barriers can discourage families from pursuing the documentation they need.
More Than Paperwork
For families participating in the Ultra Poor Graduation Program, identity documents can directly affect their ability to access government support. An Aadhaar card, birth certificate, ration card, or updated bank account can help establish identity and eligibility for government entitlements and social protection programs. These documents may be needed to access subsidized food through the Public Distribution System, pensions, healthcare, financial services, and livelihood programs.
For households living on limited and irregular incomes, missing out on these services can have lasting consequences. Documentation is an important part of connecting families with opportunities that can support greater financial security.
Walking Alongside Participants
Addressing these barriers takes more than providing information. Families often need practical support as they work through unfamiliar processes. Through the Ultra Poor Graduation Program, implemented by Trickle Up, community coaches identify documentation gaps during household visits. They explain what is needed, help participants complete forms, and guide them through applications. When necessary, they coordinate with local service providers or accompany participants to service centers.
Support may include updating Aadhaar details, completing bank KYC, linking a mobile number, or correcting an error in an official document. Coaches also encourage participants to take an active role so they can become more comfortable navigating these systems independently.
The aim is not for coaches to manage every administrative task on behalf of families. It is to help participants build the confidence to access these services themselves.
Strengthening Connections with Local Systems
The work also involves building stronger connections between communities and the institutions that provide public services. Project teams work with Block Administration, Gram Panchayats, government departments, and local service providers to facilitate applications and resolve documentation problems. They also follow up on delayed cases.
Over time, these interactions can help build trust. Participants may become more comfortable approaching government institutions, while local service providers gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by remote households.
Building a Foundation for Lasting Change
The graduation approach is often associated with helping families strengthen their livelihoods through coaching, savings, and enterprise development. But access to public systems is also an important part of that process.
A document alone will not lift a family out of poverty. It can, however, make it possible to open a bank account, receive a pension, access subsidized food, or enroll in a government livelihood program.
For PVTG families in Jharkhand, having the right documents can remove a barrier between them and these opportunities. For families like Gasi Malto’s, an Aadhaar update or completed bank KYC is more than an administrative requirement. It can be a step toward greater financial inclusion and a more secure future.
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