Chaithanya Educational and Rural Development Society

Andhra Pradesh

To create sustainable and self-reliant rural communities is the mission of the NGO, Chaithanya Educational and Rural Development Society. CERDS was created to work exclusively in the dry-land and coastal regions of Prakasam and Guntur Districts of Andhra Pradesh, to help poor communities overcome the effects of poverty and create a new future for themselves.

They aim to help the poor overcome their socioeconomic problems by involving them in the problem and inculcating attitudes of change. PCDP is a participatory, non-violent process of problem-solving, consciousness-raising and empowering the poor. CERDS used this approach to mobilize people to act and solve their problems. Skill Development for Women, livelihood support to disadvantaged women, nutrition support to HIV/AIDS infected people, sanitation support for disabled people and drinking water facilities for disadvantaged are a few programs undertaken by CERDS.

About 12,000 families and 55,000 populations belonging tribal and other vulnerable communities in the sea-coastal villages of Prakasam and Guntur Districts have been ensured safe drinking water facilities.CERDS have been honored with numerous awards for their selfless service in uplifting the rural communities and helping them to make themselves self-sustained.