Rural Development Trust
In 1969 Vicente and Anne Ferrer started their work against poverty in Anantapur, India. The aim was to improve the living conditions of the most disadvantaged in rural India. With this purpose they created the Rural Development Trust (RDT).
Fifty years of experience and extensive know-how enable the successful implementation of development programs that are adapted to the needs of the local people and developed together with them. RDT currently employs around 2,500 people: 99% are Indian and 47% are women. RDT is headed by Anne Ferrer.
Where We Work
Our History
1952 Vicente Ferrer travels to Mumbai, India, for the first time and dedicates himself to improving the living conditions of the poor farmers of Manmad, Maharashtra.
1969 Vicente Ferrer, the journalist Anne Perry and two other local volunteers arrive in Anantapur. They start to work in the chronic drought prone area through the newly founded organization RDT.
1970 They implement the “Food for Work” program. Through this program, 10,000 wells, 2,500 houses, and 50 nutrition centers will be built in villages over the next five years, as well as a leprosy center.
1976 They launch the “Integrated Development Program” in more than 200 villages along with the “Land Development Program” that helped laborers to become farmers. The Community Health Sector and the first community -based organization are established as well.
Small rural hospitals are started in Kalyandurg, Kuderu, and Venkatampalli to provide access to basic healthcare to the needy.
1978 The Education Sector is founded with the goal to ensure the school enrollment of children from poor communities. At that time 90% of them were not even attending primary school.
1979 RDT encourages cultural and sports events in order to foster integration and promote equality among the children and youth in the Anantapur district.
1982 For the first time, RDT starts to work directly with women through self-help groups to increase their collective strength and economic independence.
1985 RDT starts working with parents to highlight the importance and value of education for motivating parents to keep their children in school up to 10th grade.
1987 RDT partners with the Government and UNICEF for the first universal vaccination program in the country.
1987 During the vaccination program, RDT becomes aware of the thousands of people with disabilities living without access to rehabilitation and a dignified life. The Sector Inclusion is founded to support these people. The first self-help group is founded.
1987 After three years of successive droughts, the Agriculture Sector was founded to work for a sustainable environment and agriculture. It worked systematically for soil and water conservation, afforestation and introduction to horticulture.
1992 The first special school for children with disabilities was created in the rural area so that all children have access to rehabilitation and formal education.
1994 The first of four orthopedic and prosthetic workshops is opened in Kalyandurg to improve the life of people with disabilities.
1994 Awareness campaigns on HIV are carried out in villages to explain this new virus, how it is transmitted and how it is prevented.
1996 Fundacion Vicente Ferrer (FVF) in Spain is launched to directly support and give sustainability to RDT projects.
1996 The Habitat sector starts to support the Government’s efforts to move people out of huts and facilitate them to have safe and secure houses.
2000 RDT strengths its healthcare programs by opening two secondary-level care hospitals in Bathalapalli (2000) and Kalyandurg (2006), and a primary healthcare center in Kanekal (2004).
2001 The first handicrafts workshop for women with disabilities is established in Udegolem. It helps women with professional skills to be independent and recognized members of their family and community. The products are sold locally and in Spain. Later, four additional workshops were opened.
2001 RDT uses its 30 years of experience in development to help the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts after the Gujarat earthquake.
2002 Increasing the focus and importance of sports in development by establishing the Anantapur Sports Village.
2004 RDT participates in the emergency, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts after the Tsunami in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh coasts.
2005 To assist farmers and implement sustainable agriculture, micro-irrigation methods are implemented along with solar panels.
2009 The Hospital for Infectious Diseases (HIV and TB) is opened. It soon becomes well- known through the state for its quality and empathetic care.
2009 RDT’s founder, Vicente Ferrer, passes away. More than 100,000 people from all across the Anantapur District, India and Spain attend his funeral.
2010 In coordination with the Government and other organizations, a specific program to eradicate violence against women and a shelter home for women are started.
2010 RDT starts working with Chenchus, a tribal community in Srisailam to strengthen their individual and collective capacity, protect their cultural heritage, and access resources and services under the provision of law.
2011 For the first time, youth with intellectual disabilities hailing from Anantapur travel abroad to represent India in the Special Olympics.
2012 The first Professional School for young rural graduates is launched. More than 90% of its students find employment after completing the course.
2012 The India for India program is initiated. In this program, the poor, despite their own difficult circumstances, donate part of their savings for a common cause. RDT also starts partnering with Indian companies to support various social projects.
2015 Started collaborating with the Andhra Pradesh Government for the Swachh Bharat Mission by constructing bathroom-cum-toilets.
2015 Launched the Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA in Washington DC to support and to expand the work of RDT.
2015 RDT provides flood assistance in Chennai and Nellore.
2017 FoRDT is registered as a charity in UK to support RDT’s programs.
2019 RDT celebrates its 50h anniversary.
Our Founders
Help us to continue reaching out to rural communities.
Would you like to know how we use the funds? LEARN MORE
Help us to continue reaching out to rural communities.
Would you like to know how we use the funds? LEARN MORE