“I have faith in people and their capacity for action”

These words of Vicente Ferrer, the founder of the Rural Development Trust (RDT), couldn’t hold more truth than in these difficult times. In the midst of this global crisis and the anxiety it induces, stories of solidarity and positivity from people are becoming rays of hope.

RDT’s crisis response started immediately after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in India. Currently, the emergency response focuses on:

• Distributing over 6,700 cooked meals as well as dry rations and essential provisions to migrants, jobless daily wage laborers and people in vulnerable situations on a daily basis.
• Producing and distributing materials such as hand sanitizers and 100% cotton cloth masks. So far, over 32,000 masks have been distributed free of charge to the RDT grassroots staff working on COVID awareness, police officers, ANM nurses and government employees.
• Routinely conducting awareness sessions on safety measures in all the villages, using materials produced by RDT (pamphlets and posters made in consultation with RDT doctors.)
• Preparing RDT’s medical infrastructure to convert into quarantine centers and training the staff to ensure their safety as well as that of the patients.

In all these different areas of work, people from different walks of life are contributing in the ways and means that they best manage. Through them we are witnessing the power of solidarity and empathy which strengthens the response and makes it possible for us to reach out to as many people in need as possible.

The auditorium in the main office has been converted to a store room because of the large amounts of grains and groceries that are being donated to us by people in different villages. ©RDT

Around 650 people have so far donated to the food distribution program that was started by RDT on March 31, mostly in slum areas.

©RDT
People from Madakasira have come forward to donate a large amount of rice, vegetables and other everyday food items to the RDT canteen that is preparing cooked meals for distribution.

“We can’t cook in such large quantities but we know there are many people who are in need of help and through RDT, we are able to help them out,” said one of the villagers who contributed to the program.

©RDT
Even a Vikalangula Samakhya Mandal from Kanaganipalli supplied large quantities of different vegetables to provide for the laborers and other populations highly affected by this lockdown.

©RDT
In Uravakonda, farmers came forward to donate 100-kilogram bags of chilies and groundnuts to distribute among those in need.

“We saw the process of RDT’s work in the news and how the lockdown affected the supply of provisions. We were inspired by the response work and we wanted to provide part of our crops to support the program,” said a farmer who donated to RDT.

©RDT
People from the village of Maravapalli contributed together to provide rice and groceries to a group of people whose livelihood depends on the performing circus.

©RDT
Government employees and locals are volunteering and offering their services to help our crisis response work.

©RDT
In the midst of this all, a hockey coach from the Anantapur Sports Academy, Balvinder Kaur, donated a generous amount to the RDT’s COVID response work.

©RDT
And finally, the heart-warming example of Preethi, the child of one of RDT’s staff, who willingly donated all her pocket money savings to the RDT’s response work.

Our cultural organizers, Ramulu and Anjineyulu performing in Telugu to spread awareness about COVID-19 ©RDT

Our staff are continuously conducting awareness sessions, distributing essentials and preventive materials in numerous villages during this critical time. They are ensuring that people have access to accurate information and do not panic or suffer in the midst of this lockdown. We are proud of them.

“I believe we can overcome this crisis mainly with solidarity, and the people coming forward to support our work is an example of that. At the heart of all the work we are doing is the will of the people to reach out, in whatever ways they can, to those who have been affected. It’s moving,” commented Anne Ferrer about these positive actions. It warms our hearts to know that people believe in our work and mission and want to do their part to support us. Such people encourage us and add meaning to our work. We are hopeful that through such positivity and kindness, we can overcome all adversities and like everything else, this too shall pass.

Text: Felita Viegas, adapted by Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA