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.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

SEDS: Localise to stabilise

It used to take the villagers of K.Maruvapalli more than half a day to obtain basic provisions. Dependent as they were on the nearest town, Hindupur, they needed to spend money on transport just to get there. Hindupur itself was not the most fortunate of places. With scarce groundwater, prices of essential commodities are usually higher, especially for villagers without any other options.

The SEDS village organization realized that a local solution was required. They started setting up their own shops to make basic provisions easily accessible to the villagers and thus, ensure food security for the rural community.

SEDS helped the village organizations manage the shops. The women were given training in accounts, book-keeping and how to forecast and plan for purchases in advance. Not only did the villagers savings on transportation costs, but the advantage of buying wholesale actually gave them access to goods at a lower cost than before.    

The local village shop model fits into the sustainability principles of localization of economy. Today, there are three shops running in the area, with plans for several more.


[The article originally written by Amit Manikoth, for SEDS's 30 years celebration. This is simply a reproduction.]
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