Social Education and Development Society (SEDS) was founded in 1980 by Rajen Joshua and Manil Jayasena as a grassroots development NGO who motivated by the desire to help the poorest of the poor in India's second most drought-prone area of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. In the initial days, the main focus was towards community development by way of providing non-formal education and small l
oans to skilled communities like cobblers, basket weavers, blanket weavers and others. However, since Anantapur is the second-most drought prone area in India with much of its natural resources depleted, it soon became evident 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 visionary plan was developed which aimed to empower local communities and improve their environment. Initially small nurseries were started to encourage homestead plantations and even avenue trees were planted along the village roads. Sustainable agricultural practices like reforestation and afforestation were also introduced.
1990 onwards, SEDS started using a more participatory approach, through the formation of community-based organizations. This involved making communities 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 as a greener environment flourished. Today SEDS works through an integrated rural development approach with an emphasis on women empowerment, watersheds, re-a-forestation and natural resource management. This covers five Mandals in the southern part of Anantapur District (SW Andhra Pradesh) namely, Penukonda, Roddam, Gorantla, Somandepalli and Chilamathur. In these 5 mandals SEDS currently supports 125 villages, which include almost 12,000 women and their families, 980 SHGs, 120 VOs & 5 MMSs . Through its sustained efforts SEDS has made a significant impact on the lives of the people in the area and the local environment. SEDS slogan 'Towards a greener tomorrow' has indeed become a reality.
