In the heart of Dallas, the NATA Convention 2023 was a lively gathering of people from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, celebrating their rich culture, delicious cuisine, and strong community bond. The bustling Dallas Convention Center welcomed over 15,000 visitors, and amid the excitement, the Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA (VFF USA) felt immensely grateful to be a part of this remarkable event. It was an opportunity for us to share the incredible impact of our partner organization in India, Rural Development Trust (RDT), which has been working tirelessly in the region for 54 years, transforming the lives of 3.6 million people through its holistic, community-driven approach.

During the convention, VFF USA had a booth in the exhibit hall where it got a chance to display handcrafted, environment-friendly products made by Aame. Aame was started by 75 courageous women, trained by RDT, who defied all odds to become true entrepreneurs through their social enterprise, “Aame.” These remarkable women hailed from Andhra Pradesh’s rural areas, each facing unique challenges. Yet, together, they embraced their dreams and poured their hearts into building Aame: a lifeline to support their livelihoods. Their dedication was unwavering, even amid obstacles related to locomotion, intellectual capabilities, speech and hearing difficulties, and even HIV-related complexities. To make their global footprint and reaffirm their commitment to environmental sustainability, Aame became a World Fair Trade Organization member.

Jyothi, one of Aame’s members, was diagnosed with polio when she was only six months old, which incapacitated her legs. She studied through seventh grade but was forced to drop out of school after then, as she was not able to physically access the school. Intent on living a self-sufficient life, Jyothi joined Aame’s jute crafts center at Bathalapalli.

“Here I have learned a skill and am earning my own money. I am making my own life,” Jyothi explains. ” I who was once lonely and a burden to my family, am today not only standing on my own feet, but also helping my family. When I think of this, I cry, not with sadness but with joy.” 

We, at the Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA, couldn’t be prouder to showcase the crafts made by courageous women such as Jyothi. Each craft tells a tale of hope, unwavering dedication, and triumphant determination. Many of our booth visitors were moved by the stories, and it definitely helped us to garner further support. Your encouragement and support have made a difference, and together, we will continue to spread hope and create positive change for all.

Thank you, NATA Convention 2023, for allowing VFF USA to share RDT’s life-transforming work in the region. If anyone is interested in learning more about our work, kindly check vffusa.org or contact us at info@vffusa.org. We are happy to know more about how your ideas of collaboration and volunteerism can help us create more impact.

At the end of the day, we exist because of you, and your involvement with VFF USA is a unique chance for you to uplift an opportunity for collective progress. Let’s continue to sow the seeds of positive change and nurture a brighter future for all.