ABOUT US
In 1978 Guy Poitevin (anthropologist) and Hema Rairkar (economist) founded the association V.C.D.A (Village Community Development Association). The project VCDA is a rural empowerment movement working for holistic rural community development. We use the model where the village residents can identify the socio-economic problems in their villages and find solutions collectively to these problems and act together to resolve them. This process cannot take place without our social-workers whom we call animators. An animator is a person from a rural area who facilitates education, awareness and has the will to identify and resolve the socio-economic problems in a village community.
The non profit trust V.C.D.A works for the upliftment of the rural populace. This work takes place strictly in rural areas. Under this movement projects such as : holistic empowerment and confidence building of village women, child education, economic empowerment of rural women, agricultural development, water management have been realized.
Today Pabal support house is hosting 25 girls from 6 years to 18 years. Girls are provided with shelter, meals, medical care and other amenities necessary for child development. All of the girls come from socio-economically challenged backgrounds which makes it hard for them to go to school, study, have multi-directional education.
Girls are going to school everyday. Tai and Kaluram are looking after the girls, their studies. They provide a safe, stable and loving environment to the girls as it is crucial for their overall development.
To date, Pabal support house has participated in education, development of more than 200 girls.
The Banyan Tree House is in Pabal, on one acre land, situated 50 km from Pune. A part hosts agricultural experiments, the other is a playground for girls !
Girls are introduced to several activities like yoga, theater, dance, music,farming, playground etc. All these opportunities are new spaces given to them to express themselves, to learn, to explore their personalities, to develop communication skills, and to shape their confidence. V.C.D.A is preparing the tomorrow's citizen, in rural areas, by creating space for discussions about several topics related to several subjects like gender issues, traditional knowledge etc.
About
Anu's mother sold newspapers at the Khed bus stop. Her father was an alcoholic. She came to the banyan tree house at the age of thirteen. She immediately took to the caretakers and started acquiring qualities, skills and habits which made her blossom as a person and successful at school. She scored 86% marks in 10th standard. She not only developed into a brilliant student but also a sincere and thoughtful person. She is passionate about math and scored 96 %marks in calculus in her first year of graduation. She wants to have a career in mathematics oriented fields. V.C.D.A is taking care of her education at the moment. Please read her testimony.
Her experience
I came to Girls' Hostel in Pabal in 2012 in class 7th, and in 2018 I completed my education up to 12th std there. I had a good experience living in the institution in Pabal, where I had the opportunity to complete my education and got to develop my personality too . Along with education, I was taught discipline and self-management. Living in a dormitory made me very interested in education. Living among the girls created a sense of oneness. I got more love from my uncle and aunt than I get from home. I love maths. My goal is to get a higher degree in mathematics.
About
Divya's mother was temporarily absconding due to domestic problems, her father was an alcoholic . her grandmother brought her to us.
Divya was a brilliant student and her qualities which were suppressed, manifested wonderfully in the banyan tree house. She can speak very good english and studied in english medium school. She stood first in her class in tenth standard scoring 80% marks. She stays in Mumbai now doing her graduation in science stream and part time job at the same time. She developed sensitivity about social issues and always expressed her wish to support the social work projects. Divya learned to dream at the banyan tree house . Her childhood dream was to become a pilot. Please read her testimony.
Her experience
I was in 5 std (11 year's old),when I came to Pabal. I was very shy and depressed every time because of my parents' situation. When I started to live in the hostel , I came to know that it's not like a hostel but a huge family. The uncle and aunty treated us like their own children. They loved us, took care of us, helped us and sometimes scolded us for correcting our mistakes. I never ever feel like I was living in hostel, I thought like I was living with my family. I learned to be self sufficient, not being dependent on others. I came to know that what exactly the power of speech means and how to use it properly. I learned that sharing and caring are the most important things in life. I learned all this because we made our own plants, grains and pulses in our garden, we cooked our own food together, we had the right to present our point of view in the meeting, we shared each and every thing responsibly. I stayed there for 5 years till 10 th std, after completing my 10std I came to Mumbai. I took up the Science stream and am working as an human resources recruiter in Cognizant e consultancy. I want to become a food technologist in future.
You can contribute in various ways :
Eligible for deduction under 80G
Rs 6,000 is the monthly budget necessary for the shelter, medical treatment, food, care, holistic education of a girl. Rs 24,000 Rs is the yearly budget necessary for shelter, medical treatment, food, care, holistic education.
| Account Name | Village Community Development Association |
| Bank name | UCO Bank |
| Branch | Deccan Gymkhana |
| IFSC Code | UCBA0000687 |
| Account Number | 06870210003701 |
| Account type | Current |
Educating, skilling and empowering villages