VRO – ITS ORIGIN

The Village Reconstruction Organisation, familiarly known as VRO, was founded on June 6th, 1969 in the wake of disastrous floods in Coastal Andhra Pradesh especially around Guntur, Krishna and Prakasam Districts. The Original aim was to extend relief and rehabilitation measures to the victims of endemic natural calamities such as cyclones, and floods in the East Coast Region of South India. To start with, it was a Relief Organisation which in the later years became a development-oriented Organisation. It is a secular, non-profit voluntary organisation. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 6th October 1971 at Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, in India.

Areas of Service Presence

In the beginning, VRO’s Service Presence was in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Pondichery, Maharashtra & Odisha with a scope for expansion. Later on, the Programs were also extended to Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir states as well. At present, the Service Presence is confined to the East Coast States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu and Odisha, periodically affected by natural calamities.

Philosophy

The VRO philosophy is closely allied to the Gandhian concept of Sarvodaya and the Christian Social philosophy. The value and dignity of the human individual, the possibility for the individual to develop within and through a community with a focus on peace, social justice and quality of life that constitute its core.

Aims and Objectives

The 4 objectives of VRO are Employment, Enjoyment, Environment and Enlightenment.

The VRO believes that the micro Village - as a human settlement, a socio-economic entity with an identity and history of its own that has grown as a result of interaction with a particular eco system - should not only survive in modern society, but should also grow in its strength. The economy of the micro Village should be vibrant enough to provide employment to most of its inhabitants and the people should be empowered to bargain with the larger world. One day the world is bound to discover that the Village offers a pattern of life more sane, sustainable and humane than the modern cities have to offer today.

The support actions in concrete terms are:

• Integrated Village community development with a focus on the smallest and the neglected groups like the Tribals, Scheduled Castes and economically Backward Classes.

• Promotion of cooperation among persons, organisations and Government in view of building strong Villages.

• Affiliation and association with other organisations sharing similar objectives.

• Research and dissemination of information about Villages, their economy, culture, social life and ethos.

• Organising seminars, workshops and training camps to motivate and equip volunteers and Villagers with skills to face modern challenges.

The Governing Body

Executive Committee (now known as Governing Board) is the Governing Body of the Organisation, which meets periodically to review, evaluate the work done and to support, through appropriate policy interventions, the activities. It consists of experienced and socially concerned leaders who have a commitment for comprehensive and integrated Village development.

The following are the members of the Governing Board (2010 - 2013):

The General Body

It consists of enrolled members and patrons. Unless otherwise decided, it meets once a year to receive the Annual Report, audited statement of Accounts and the Annual Budget. It appoints the auditor and nominates (elects) the Executive Committee (Governing Board).

Membership

Membership is open to individuals, Organisations and institutions, without reference to caste, community or religion. Individuals, Institutions or Organizations interested in the development work and in the promotion of social justice are welcome as members to assist the organisation by strengthening its program. The membership fee is as follows:

What you can do !

Enroll Yourself / your Organisation / your Institution as an annual or life member.

You may share in the process of Village community development

• as a full-timer

• as a part-timer

• or whenever you have time to spare

You can extend your valuable financial support in the form of a Cheque / DD drawn in favour of Village Reconstruction Organisation (VRO), India.