A Terrible fire accident was occurred to scheduled caste people by residents of upper caste for demanding a wage increase at Keelavenmani village. Following to that, Ms. Ambujam, A Gandhian and Disciple of Shri Vinoba Bhave realized that something should be accomplished to ensure equal opportunities to all. Consequently she founded Avvai village welfare society (Avvai) in the year 1976 having in mind the upliftment and empowerment of marginalized groups such as children, women, elders and disaster affected. The organization was registered under Indian Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 in the year 1978.
Since then, Avvai village welfare society has grown to become a very big people centered organization working on right based approach in the sectors of Education, Health, Women empowerment, Livelihood, HIV/AIDS, Child rights & protection, Micro finance, Micro insurance, advocacy & lobbying and disaster mitigation.
Avvai has comprehensive programmes for children, women and elders with the support of State and Central Government and INGOs. Avvai has executed several advocacy activities to protect rights and entitlements of downtrodden. It has promoted many Community Based Organizations and strengthened its functions to ensure sustainability of the projects.
With regard to Tsunami response, Avvai feel proud of its committed intervention for the disaster affected with comprehensive programmes. Avvai has supported the community through rehabilitation measures as well as long-term actions such as child development, child protection, livelihood support, formation and strengthening of community based organizations, land reclamation, coastal plantation, formation & capacity building of task force committees, preparation of disaster mitigation plans, installation of early warning systems etc. The staff strength increased three fold, innovative actions had been undertaken, dynamic relationships had been promoted with new partners and deprived communities had been reached with comprehensive projects.
Avvai extend its gratitude to all Government Departments, National NGOs, International NGOs, Community Based Organizations and other like minded people who have joined hands with us towards achieving our vision by financial & technical support and valuable participation
Upliftment of the marginalized sections of society in India through supportive services
Enhancing equitable and self-sustainable opportunities in the areas of education, health, livelihood, gender, challenged and environment through community based organizations to the marginalized sections including disaster affected.