BIRDS came into existence with the initiative of its Executive Director who has been working with poorest of the poor in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, since 1985. The first target area was Midthur mandal (one of the most backward and remote areas in the district), considering absence of any voluntary organization in the area. In the subsequent years, the organization could get lot of recognition on account of its good work and today is one of the leading NGOs in the district.
It is noteworthy to mention that the organization worked with meager funds raised mainly from personal savings and small donations till 1994. It started with an annual budget of forty thousand rupees and could gradually rise to an annual budget of about 13 crore rupees (based on 2004-2005 figures). below table gives time-line of BIRDS history.
From working with the support of small donations, BIRDS has reached a stage of multiple donors funding. At the time of writing this report, BIRDS runs projects supported by about 10 donors (7 international and 3 governmental). The growth of BIRDS as an institution in service of the poorest of the poor has been gradual and phenomenal in terms of its reach, spanning for more than a decade. BIRDS as an institution and its Executive Director as an individual have won accolades for the work at several levels. below lists main awards received.
Awards of BIRDS and its Executive Director
Executive Director received Dalit Sahitya Academy Award in the year 1995, from his Excellency the President of India, for exceptional work in promotion of Adult Literacy.
BIRDS has won five annual commendation awards (1995, 97, 98, 2000 and 2002) from the District Collector of Kurnool, for carrying out exceptional work in the rural development sector.
In micro-finance sector, BIRDS is among top 50 institutions in the world, as announced at the last Micro-Credit Summit, USA.
Time-line of BIRDS as an institution
Year Main Events
1991 Registration and Reconnaissance
1992 Initiation of village level sanghas
1993 Start of Adult Literacy, TRYSEM, Thrift and DWCRA ED Visits Bangladesh on Sustainable Agriculture
1994 Initiation of Agriculture activities National Environment Awareness Campaign (Annual) UNDP visit to BIRDS
Close of Adult Literacy program
1995 Start of UNDP program (Poverty Alleviation) – 5 years Initiation of work in Kolimigundla and Owk mandals
PCUSA (women) program initiated and closed Initiation of mandal level SHG federation at Midthur Ms. Eva Peter of Germany visits BIRDS as a student Initiation of NOVOK, district level network of NGOs
1996 Child Labor Rehabilitation program starts One year administrative support from IGSSS Start of APWELL Project
Action Aid India supports UNDP initiative (3 years) Rural Housing for destitute women (CAPART) Income Generation Program for SCs (SC Corporation)
1997 Study on tribal issues at Adilabad (Action Aid support) Initiation of Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP)
Start of DPAP watershed program Start of women dairy activities (APDDCF) ED visits Malaysia to attend MDT on Micro Finance
1998 ED attends IDP on Grameen Replication, Bangladesh Initiation of MF activity with FWWB and RMK ED attends International thematic workshop at Ranchi ED on UNDP study tour to Sri Lanka BIRDS training center inaugurated at Nandyal
1999 ED in preparation of World Development Report Initiation of R&R program of SRBC MF expansion with NMDFC funding Food Security Kalajatha (Action Aid) Mahila Bank established at Midthur and Kolimigundla Initiation of CHETANA network (PHP)
2000 MF expansion with TBF funding Social Security Scheme (FWWB/GTZ/SEWA) starts
2001 Dalit Empowerment program starts (Action Aid) Organic Farm and Training Center established Studies: dalit issues, sex-workers, child labor, etc.
2002 Start of construction of training center at M’Padu Formation of Dalit Samakhya State Level Kisan Mela at Muthyalapadu (APWELL) BIRDS becomes financial custodian of CHETANA works
2003 Close of APWELL Project ED visits USA for World Micro-credit Summit Launch of APFAMGS project Initiation of SMCS program (CRS)
2004 Community Health Center initiated at BIRDS Farm
2005 BIRDS support to AP Water Vision Task Force (GoAP)
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