I gave to this charity to help the most marginalized and poverty stricken people who now must face the devastating results of the pandemic with little if any government support.
Its a very transparent organization who helps for grassroots projects in India. They are funding some very interesting projects.
I learnt about AID during my graduate studies in the USA. I have been a volunteer for AID since 2005 or so. During this time I have learnt about the plight of disenfranchised communities who continue to be oppressed by various forces within India. I was able to visit mountainous communities in Uttharakhand where I learnt about the impact of various hydro projects and other local governance decisions on the environment and lives of people there. I was also able to visit hamlets in interior Andhra Pradesh built from scratch by communities fleeing violence of groups like Salwa Judum from neighboring Chattisgarh. I have learnt about the tools employed by communities displaced from New Delhi to remote encampments to demand their entitlements like education, clean water supply, general sanitation and livelihood. I also have learnt about the struggle for justice in Bhopal where Union Carbide (currently owned by Dow Chemical) had mismanaged a catastrophic disaster and how citizens of Bhopal are still affected by this disaster even after 30 odd years due to the neglect of corporate responsibility. I have learnt about struggles faced by farmers in Sunderbans who are struggling to eke out a living by farming on their small land holdings without the modernities that we have gotten used to associating agriculture with these days.
These are all people and communities very much like my own self who are struggling to make sense of life armed with fewer tools and support systems that I have access to. I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to alleviate some of their hardships in one way or another, and I choose to address this duty through AID.
I am thankful for the opportunity to learn about communities who have been pushed to the brink and are being kept out of the path to success which urbanites and middle class communities take for granted in India. I am confident that AID will be able to play a role in bringing more such knowledge and information to the forefront to be discussed by the general populace.
I highly rate my experience with AID so far and highly encourage others to explore AID.
Prahalad
Albany NY
Association for India's Development started at University of Maryland as a non-profit and has spread throughout USA with 30 chapters. The many chapters raise money for grass roots development project which focuses on Children's education, women's empowerment, education for the disabled, rights of backward classes, social equality and many others that focus on clean water and re-usable energy.
All their work is done by volunteers and people who have dedicated their lives full time for the upliftment of communities that are seeking self reliance and security. They are openly battling corruption and prejudices.
It is a great cause for supporting and about 95% of the funds collected go toward the projects.
AID had made me think "solutions" to the interconnected issues that India faces especially the rural India. Having reviewed projects and worked with few NGOs, it has opened my eyes to how issues can be resolved and thus help the needy.
