Many individuals are dedicated to supporting causes that interest them and making a positive impact. VFF USA’s implementing partner, Rural Development Trust (RDT), is an exceptional organization for those with a similar spirit. Founded by Vicente Ferrer in 1969, RDT has supported almost 4,000 villages and provided numerous benefits, including financial resources for over 100000 women, educational and medical support for 120000 children, medical care for 75,000 individuals through three hospitals and four medical clinics, and being a benchmark organization for supporting children and people with special needs. It’s no surprise that those who get involved with the foundation feel passionately about it, as RDT is truly changing lives. Recently, the program director, Moncho Ferrer, visited several U.S. states to connect with people and share the organization’s mission. It’s heartening to see so many people coming together to support this important cause.

Moncho Ferrer connected with the Telugu-speaking community in Austin and Dallas who now reside in the United States. VFF USA Board Member Mr. Prem Gangalakunta organized a fantastic event at UTD called “Discovering the Power of Community-Driven Development.” During the event, two doctors originally from Anantapur shared their thoughts on the challenges of rural health and how hospitals run by RDT play a crucial role in bolstering the healthcare infrastructure of the region. Attendees were pleasantly surprised when a lady raised her hand and shared that she was a beneficiary of RDT and currently works in the U.S. She added that her baby, who she brought with her, was actually born at a RDT hospital. This exemplifies the power of holistic, community-driven, and all-inclusive development. Pallavi Srichinta, who attended the event, was so moved by the role of rural hospitals that she decided to support the Bathalapalli hospital during the event itself. It is noteworthy that the hospital handles almost 1000 deliveries every day.

Companies can inspire others and make a positive impact on society through corporate social responsibility. Anand Dasari, CEO of ITVision360, recently invited Moncho Ferrer to launch the company’s philanthropic endeavor. Anthony Schell, a partner with ITVision360, praised Anand’s drive to uplift others, which inspires all employees and associates. Anand sets an example by caring for others through business, empowering people with the right skills to find meaningful employment and linking it with a higher purpose to uplift rural communities in India.

In Dallas, the focus was on connecting with Indian communities where RDT works, while in New York and Miami, Vicente Ferrer’s journey was shared with people from Spain, the country from which Vicente moved to India in 1952 and the rest is history. The Miami ACCIO Director shared Vicente Ferrer’s remarkable work and impact at an event held at Books and Books in Coral Gables. The audience was intrigued by the challenges faced by RDT at its nascent stage and how it has addressed those challenges and spread its activities in over 4,000 villages. Additionally, at Xavier Ruiz’s place, the attendees were thrilled to learn about the challenges Vicente Ferrer faced in his early years and how his vision has benefited the Rural Development Trust in making developmental footprints even in the hardest-to-reach areas like the Nallamalla forest region, where RDT works towards uplifting the Chencu community.

During a small event at La Nacional, Professor Shobana Musti from Pace University in NYC shared her moving experience during her recent visit to RDT’s inclusive school. It’s important to note that RDT’s inclusive schools serve as an excellent example of how children with special needs can be accommodated and integrated into mainstream education, even in rural areas. The Anantapur Inclusive High School has recently decided to replace its Braille system with digital technology, allowing visually impaired children to access a wider range of educational resources and providing them with more career opportunities. Cristina Campadal, a long-term supporter and ambassador for Latin American countries, shared our work with a group that can further champion our impact.

The Robbinsville Innovation 4-H Club event in New Jersey showcased the power of youth in influencing others to support a cause. The participants’ enthusiasm and dedication to uplift their counterparts in India were contagious, inspiring not only their peers but also their parents. This event highlighted the potential of youth as catalysts for positive change.

We can make a greater impact in underserved communities with the help of individuals and organizations who share our philanthropic goals.

Join us and support our mission by promoting our work on social media, tagging your friends and family members, or writing a blog post about what we do.

For employers, we invite you to encourage your employees to support our nonprofit organization, which has transformed millions of lives in rural India. We would be more than happy to arrange a visit to our hospitals, projects, and sports facilities for you and your colleagues. We believe that the best way to believe in something is to experience it.

If you work for someone, we encourage you to speak with your colleagues and employer about partnering with us to strengthen our efforts.

If you are interested in honing your marketing skills, you can help us by hosting a small fundraising event to find sponsors for two to three children. Supporting children in their formative years is one of the most effective ways to address poverty and bring about sustainable change.

If you have other ideas, we are happy to brainstorm with you. Please contact us at info@vffusa.org or 240-935- 1538 if you would like to learn more.