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.

Monday, February 22, 2010

General Community Health Camp Gummayyagaripalli in Gorantla Mandal 21-02-2010

On Sunday the 21st of February, Gorantla Mandal had its health camp. The venue was organised by the Vara Lakshmi village organisation of Gummayyagaripalli at the elementary school of Gummayyagaripalli, one kilometre from Gorantla town. This place was chosen because of its central location regarding the surrounding villages. Sixteen villages were covered in this program.
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In the morning

At ten O’clock people started filling the school ground and their details were noted down, name, village and sex. Getting registrated

Subhamma, the Village Health Worker and sixteen staff members of SEDS had made good arrangements. There was plenty of fresh water and a shamiana was set up to provide for shade. At twelve thirty the doctors and nurses arrived at the school. A little bit later than stated but this was because of an emergency operation that the doctor had to perform.
Dr Sha-Nawaz-Khan

Head of the delegation was Dr. Sha-Nawaz-Khan. In total ten members of the Shanawaz nursing home from Hindpur came to help . The doctor started this program of helping the rural poor in memory of his wife, late Mrs. Uzmath. This was his 54th camp and for this one he approached SEDS in helping with the facilitation and mobilisation of the people. Because of the organisation’s close affiliation with the communities it was quite easy to bring out a large number of people. The program lasted till six O’clock in the evening.

Everybody had a urine test and their blood pressure checked to look for common diseases.
People were very interested in the urine test

Checking bloodpressure

In case of need a blood test was also taken. After this everybody had a talk with the doctor and got their medicines. In total 466 people received a health check up. The medicines, worth Rs. 30,000 were sponsored by the doctor and his nursing home.


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