Village Development Centre, affectionately known as VDC, emerged as a beacon of hope and change in 1984. Founded by the visionary Mr. K.R. Raju, a postgraduate in Master of Social Work (MSW) and a diploma holder in NGO management, VDC's inception was a testament to the collective mission of Mr. Raju and a dedicated group of passionate youth. Their unwavering commitment was rooted in the desire to uplift the impoverished and downtrodden communities that too often fell through the cracks of society.
Mr. Raju's journey towards founding VDC was not a solitary one. Before embarking on this transformative mission, he honed his skills and dedication at People's Education for Action and Liberation (PEAL), a renowned rights-based NGO based in Madurai. Here, he began his career as a Field Worker, humbly walking alongside those whose voices had been unheard for far too long. Through tireless effort and unwavering dedication, he rose to the esteemed position of State Coordinator, overseeing the organization's efforts in organizing handloom weavers across the state.
However, it was witnessing the heart-wrenching conditions endured by the impoverished communities in and around his native village of Mannachanallur, nestled in Tiruchirappalli district that catalyzed Mr. Raju's decision to establish and register VDC. His determination to make a difference in the lives of rural poor in underdeveloped villages led to the birth of an organization that has now thrived for nearly four decades.
Today, Mr. K.R. Raju stands as a testament to the power of unwavering commitment and enduring dedication, boasting over 40 years of invaluable experience in rural development activities aimed at uplifting the lives of the less fortunate.
At the helm of VDC's administrative body are dedicated individuals who share the same passion and commitment to our mission. Mrs. S. Pusparani, a Postgraduate in Sociology, serves as our esteemed President, leading us forward with her vision and determination. Alongside her, Mrs. S. Josephine Jayanthi serves as our Treasurer, ensuring that the financial stewardship of our organization remains strong and transparent.
Together, our leadership team and the entire VDC family remain committed to our core mission: transforming rural communities, one life at a time, towards a more equitable and just future. Join us on this incredible journey towards transformative change.
VDC is a registered entity under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act of 1975, holding Registration No. 94/1984.
We possess our Permanent Account Number (PAN) under the Income Tax Act, in addition to receiving tax exemptions as per the provisions of Sections 12AA and 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.
To facilitate uninterrupted foreign contributions, we are duly registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, in accordance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act of 1976.
VDC proudly holds registration with NitiAyog, boasting a Unique ID of TN/2013/0064083. We are also registered under the Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) and CSR registration.
Our Vision is to “Empower rural communities to establish a sustainable social order rooted in equality and justice, enhancing holistic lives in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Our journey has been marked by significant achievements, including:
Mainstreaming over 1500 child laborers through National Child Labor Special Schools, Empowering 1200 children by training them as members of 45 Children Parliaments, Equipping 430 women from Self Help Groups with self-employment skills, Facilitating credit facilities for over 3500 women to enhance their economic empowerment, Training 240 women in entrepreneurship and providing credit assistance, Empowering 200 farmers with knowledge of organic farming and constructing 23 Vermi compost pits, Liberating 184 bonded laborers and assisting their rehabilitation with government support, Constructing 210 individual toilets and 12 school toilets with active community participation, Building 63 houses for impoverished individuals affected by flood disasters, Providing safe drinking water through 25 hand bore wells, including areas affected by disasters, Planting over 15000 saplings in our project area, Enrolling 4000+ workers in the manual workers' social security scheme, Conducting campaigns focusing on school enrolment, child rights, environmental issues, health, sanitation, freshwater access, and social security,