Welcome!

SEDS, the Social Education and Development Society, was founded in 1980 by Rajen Joshua and Manil Jayasena as a grassroots development NGO, motivated by the desire to help the poorest of the poor in the drought-prone area of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. In the early days, the main focus of the work was on community development by way of non-formal education and small loans to skilled target communities like cobblers, basket weavers, blanket weavers and others.

As Anantapur is the second most drought prone area in India and much of its natural resources are depleted, it soon became clear that environmental problems would have to be tackled first, if peoples’ livelihoods were to be made sustainable. Starting in 10 villages near the small town of Penukonda a scheme of pioneering work was developed which aimed to empower local communities and improve their environment. Initially small nurseries were started for homestead plantations and planting of avenue trees along village roads. Re-a-forestation and more sustainable agricultural practices were introduced. From 1990, SEDS started using a more participatory approach, through the formation of Community Based Organizations. Involving the communities more in the effort made them actual stakeholders in the development process of the region. Throughout the years the scope and area of the work increased and the fruits of the sustained efforts became visible in the greener environment and the enthusiasm of the communities.

Today, SEDS is working through an integrated rural development approach with an emphasis on women’s empowerment, watersheds, re-a-forestation and natural resource management. This is within five Mandals in the southern part of Anantapur District, in south western Andhra Pradesh namely, Penukonda, Roddam, Gorantla, Somandepalli and Chilamathur. In these 5 mandals SEDS currently supports 125 villages, being some 12000 women and their families, 980 Self Help Groups (SHGs), 120 Village Organisations (VOs) & 5 Mandal Samakyas (MMSs) .

Through its sustained efforts SEDS has made a significant impact on the lives of the people in the area and the local environment. The SEDS slogan “Towards a greener tomorrow” has become a reality.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Republic Day

26th of January, Republic Day in India. Something to look forward to especially since Children’s Day in November was so great. We gathered by the school in the morning and made everything ready for prayer and the speeches.

With some guidance from the teachers, Madhan from 10th class lead the prayer with the help of the voices of the older girls who sang the songs with the children.

During the prayer, teachers and staff members joined us and it ended up being a busy occasion. Which is logical I suppose since Republic Day is – as I learned through the children’s speeches – the Day on which 61 years ago, the new Indian Government officially declared the independent Indian Constitution. The children’s speeches were a part of the speech contest and were nicely delivered with trembling voices. Madhan talked about how he wanted corruption in India to come to an end, which won him the prize of best speech for the higher classes. Jyothi’s speech was short but powerful and she deservedly won for the lower classes. The flag was raised by one of the staff members under the marching of Madhan who apparently practiced it for days. I was happy to see how important this function is for them and how they have an eye for every detail, from the songs, to the marching and the decorations. It felt like they honor the struggle that was fought for an independent India by making sure that everything is as perfect as possible. And it was obvious to see that as a school, as staff members, as Indians, it brought them together. I could not help but think that as a sometimes cynical European, I take these things for granted. It was a cultural eye opener.

After the ringing of the bell and dividing of the groups, we all ran towards the playing court and the games room to start a morning of running, skipping, hopping, ball throwing, water plashing and much more. Judging from the huge smiles on the children’s’ faces and the enthusiastic cries that came from all around, I am pretty sure everybody had a great time. I certainly know I did.

The teachers did their part in leading the games and making sure their group changed activities on time. And with all that excitement a fair amount of chaos is definitely there. But for those of us who love India and the chaos and energy that surrounds you where a lot of people come together, this experience are again one to savor. At the end everybody played water games together and I learned that teachers also argue about who gets the most candy.

Lunchtime came and after that we all went back to the school for an afternoon of drama, hosted by our all-round entertainer and volunteer Martin. All the school children played their part in creating a world full of jokes, magic tricks, falling donkeys, sweet nursery rhymes and songs. Even though some of the dramas were in Telugu, I laughed because of their dedication, their vivid expression, laughter and enjoyment. At the end, prizes were distributed to the winners of the drawing and speech contests, the sports games and the most fair play player of the day, which was little Sai Prasad from 1st class.

As a conclusion, it was a day on which we all worked together to enjoy ourselves and each other and celebrate the victories of the past. The fact that I could experience this in an NGO that still is committed to the upliftment of the rural poor, and which reminds me daily, of the battles that still need to be fought and how much some individuals are willing to do for this cause. This made it all the more meaningful for me, and I felt very proud to be a part of it.


Anneleen vandenbossche

Belgium


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