Yadavally

JYOTHI NIVAS, EDAVALLY

Empowering Rural Communities:

Edavally, a rural village located 35 kilometers from Eluru in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, faces severe socio-economic challenges. With nearly 80% of the population working as daily wage laborers and only a few owning small agricultural plots, the village lacks access to essential services such as transportation, healthcare, education, safe drinking water, and proper housing. Deeply rooted issues like illiteracy, alcoholism, unemployment, gambling, superstitions, and caste-based discrimination continue to affect the social fabric of the community.

In response to these pressing needs, the Sisters of St. Ann established their presence in the village in 2008, initially for the purpose of evangelization. However, witnessing the acute poverty and deteriorating living conditions, a dedicated social mission was launched in 2015 by Sr. Sajitha and Sr. Jensely. The mission's core objective is the integrated development of the village through the empowerment of women, youth, and children. This is achieved through the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for women, which serve as platforms for financial inclusion, social awareness, and capacity-building. Through these initiatives, the mission aims to foster self-reliance, dignity, and long-term community transformation.

Activities Undertaken

§  Women Empowerment Programme:

-     Formation and facilitation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) focused on savings and credit activities.

 -    Capacity- building through training sessions and awareness programmes on health, rights, and livelihood.

§  Children’s Development Programme:

-     Establishment of study centres to support academic learning

-     Provision of scholarships to promote access to quality education

§  Youth Engagement Programme:

        -  Skill development and leadership initiatives aimed at empowering youth for active community participation

 

Women Empowerment Programme:

28 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) comprising 380 members have been established across eight villages: Edavally East, Edavally West, Bullavarigudam, Gollagudam, Singagudam, Regulagudam, Malleswaram, and Lingapalem.

These groups hold monthly meetings where women discuss local issues and collectively develop solutions. The sessions also include awareness on environmental conservation, domestic violence, women’s and children’s rights, and relevant Government schemes. Through these initiatives, women have gained increased financial independence and social support, enabling them to better address their family and community needs.

Training and Awareness Programmes

Women regularly participate in diverse training sessions aimed at skill development and empowerment. These include leadership development, herbal medicine preparation, and the production of household cleaning products such as phenyl, surf, Ujala, and Vim. These programmes enhance their knowledge and income-generating capabilities.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME

Study Centres

The Children’s Study Centres were initiated in Edavally in 2015, providing after-school support to around 40 children. These centres offer special tutoring for academically weaker students, as well as moral and motivational classes conducted by the Sisters and staff. In 2018, two additional centres were established in Edavally East and Regulagudam. By 2019, the programme expanded further to serve hundreds of children across multiple villages, including

§  Edavally West	: 25
§  Edavally East	: 23
§  Bullavarigudem	: 22
§  Kalyanampadu	: 45
§  Malleswaram	: 28
§  Sandipamugudem	: 30
§  Regulagudem	: 25
§  Singagudem	: 53

These centres play a vital role in helping children stay focused on their education and work towards their personal goals. Additionally, children are organized into clubs that promote environmental stewardship, encouraging activities such as tree planting and maintaining clean surroundings. They are also engaged in social responsibility initiatives, such as assisting the elderly through collective savings. Regular competitions and events are held to nurture their talents and boost their confidence, fostering holistic development.

Scholarship for Education:

Many students face the risk of dropping out of school due to financial constraints, despite the availability of Government scholarship programs. To support these students and enable them to continue their education, St. Ann’s Society provides partial financial assistance to 96 students annually. As a result of this support, around 35 students have successfully completed their professional studies and are now contributing as earning members of their families.

Youth Empowerment Programme:

St. Ann’s Society organizes youth empowerment programs quarterly, bringing together young individuals from various villages. These sessions cover vital topics such as leadership development, career guidance, marriage preparation, and life skills to equip youth with the tools needed to navigate personal and professional challenges effectively.

Scholarship for Youth

In commemoration of the World Day of the Poor, declared on the last Sunday of November, St. Ann’s Society, Visakhapatnam, generously donated Rs. 5,53,000/- in 2018 to support the higher education of underprivileged students from Edavally and neighboring villages. Over 60 youths from 10 villages have benefited from this initiative. Fifteen students have completed their professional courses and vocational training, successfully entering the workforce, while others have pursued and completed their degree and intermediate studies with this support.

 

Conclusion

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the benefits of development have not reached all communities equally. Despite their proximity to urban centers, many villages continue to face significant challenges, including poverty, limited access to basic needs, gender inequality, high illiteracy rates, health issues such as dengue and typhoid, and the persistent impact of the caste system.

At St. Ann’s Society, we are committed to bridging this gap through our focused women empowerment and youth development programs. By fostering education, leadership, and social inclusion, we strive to create sustainable positive change and enable these communities to progress alongside the mainstream of development.