support for impactful Organizations in India
Dalit Empowerment
Matching Gift Opportunity
We have a donor who is willing to match funds when we raise $5000 for BIRDS. Because funds from supporting foundations are less this year than in the past and some funds were delayed when we changed our non profit name to Dalit Empowerment, BIRDS is behind in supporting their caring outreach to hundreds of families. The need is greater than ever before.
We have a PO box now to which you can send your check made out to
Dalit Empowerment
P.O. Box 1185, 525 SW 2nd Ave, Albany, OR 97321
or Click on Donate at the top of this page
Dalit Empowerment is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) # 93-2315072
The Mission of BIRDS – One We Support Enthusiastically
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Bharati Rural Development Society (BIRDS)
BIRDS (Bharati Integrated Rural Development Society) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in the south-central state of Andra Pradesh, India. BIRDS works with the Dalit/Untouchable poor in an area of India that is many hour’s drive from the nearest airport and therefore not served by other mission groups.
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The founder and Executive Director of BIRDS
is the Rev. Paul Raja Rao. “Rev. Paul” is a Dalit himself, who was sponsored by a family in Germany. Rev. Paul completed a degree in law and social work. He and his family have dedicated their lives to helping better the lives of his own people. From nothing more than a dream, BIRDS has grown to serve tens of thousands of the poorest of the poor. BIRDS campus is located southeast of the city of Nandyal, and in the center of many remote villages.
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Programs at BIRDS include: (In chronological order)
People’s Empowerment – teaching and supporting land and legal rights
Microfinance Loans – enabled women to start small businesses. (India has since disallowed all non-government microfinance.)
Administration and Training Buildings – space for group trainings, computers, library, and staff offices.
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Programs Continued
Water Management and Sustainable Farming – natural seed bank, organic techniques.
Hostel – visitor rooms, and lodging for trainees.
Dining Hall – for feeding visitors and staff, provides school lunch.
Community Health Workers – trained to provide basic health education in villages.
A Medical Clinic – the only one in a radius of 50 miles.
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Plus
Boarding Homes – a girl’s and a boy’s residence for destitute children.
Resident Housing – for BIRDS staff.
PreK -10th School – for 600 children from BIRDS surrounding villages.
Technical Junior College – offering certificates in Agriculture, Auto Mechanics, Business, and Community Health.
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Supporters of BIRDS
Teams of visitors from Presbyterian Churches in Oregon have traveled to the BIRDS training center to partner with BIRDS.. Team projects have included medical and dental clinics, Community Health Care, English Language tutoring for children, dry compost toilet building, trainings in depression and alcoholism, cottage industry workshops, and computer technology.
Some History and General Information about BIRDS
The link below will take you to a page for the History, notes on how climate change affects this rural and remote area, and a history of how the Presbyterian Church has supported BIRDS over the years. Also included is a link to the India website of BIRDS.
Information about other groups we support in the Dalit Community of Southern India
More information Coming
Donors
Our Foundation
800 +
BIRDS Students
100’s
of People served
12
Community Programs
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