Sanga Mithra Development Association (SAMIDA) was formed during 2001 by few young like-minded, who were trained by Gandhi Peace Centre (GPC) on Gandhian thought and philosophy viz Gram Swaraj concept for rural development. Our chairman Mr P.Ramana was closely associated with Gandhi Peace Centre (GPC) as a SEDA volunteer at the time. We started working in villages by mobilizing youth and socially and economically marginalized sections of poor towards constructive rural development activities. After working for several years as volunteers at grassroots and gaining adequate experience in planning and implementing poverty alleviation programmes, we have initiated SAMIDA a voluntary organization to give an institutional back up to their endeavors. SAMIDA has been working extensively and arduously with rural communities ever since it was established and playing a pivotal role in evolving it as strong institution. This was the origin of the SAMIDA, which literally means in Telugu - serving ‘VULNERABLE’, and thus SAMIDA is committed for the amelioration of vulnerable communities living in the rural India and DEDICATED TO POOR.

The legal entity of the SAMIDA is registered under societies registration act XXI of 1860 in 2001 in Visakhapatnam District. SAMIDA undertake constructive and useful programmes for the removal of poverty by encouraging moral, cultural, educational, social and economic well –being of the society, standards of living through involving of the all categories of people through collectively voluntary action. In SAMIDA the organizational board consists of 9 members’ executive committee. The board comprises of the eminent persons of the district. SAMIDA Board provides guidance and direction to the organization. The board helps the organization develop relationship with other organizations and monitors programme execution. In SAMIDA Board, since the board members are from vicinity they provide more time for the organizational matters. The board consists of the local members. Perhaps that provides the organization to review the performance time to time. The Secretary of the board is highly experienced and groomed many young professionals in the district. The staff and board understand the broad focus of the mission and vision and are well articulated. Programme planning and implementation reflects the vision of the organization. SAMIDA implements several community development programs, which are centered on the savings and credit programme of the organization. This provides them a platform. Planning takes place in a participatory manner. All the staff members involve in the planning process and Secretary provides required guidance during the planning meetings.

Sanga Mithra Development Association (SAMIDA) is a development support organization working for the poor and disadvantaged people to working in Visakhapatnam District, A.P. The legal entity of the SAMIDA is registered under societies registration act XXI of 1860 in 2001 in Visakhapatnam - District. The SAMIDA undertake constructive and useful programmes for the removal of poverty by encouraging moral, cultural, educational, social and economic well –being of the society, standards of living through involving of the all categories of people through collectively voluntary action. SAMIDA organizations focusing on a more holistic development with an emphasis on participatory development and empowerment of poor, particularly women and other socially disadvantaged communities in the target area. At present the SAMIDA focus in the health, education economic and social up-liftment of deprived communities and also implementing income generation and capacity building programes for sustainable livelihood of venerable communities.

In SAMIDA the organizational board consists of 9 members executive committee. The board comprises of the eminent persons of the district. SAMIDA Board provides guidance and direction to the organization. The board helps the organization develop relationship with other organizations and monitors programme execution. Since the board members are from vicinity they provide more time for the organizational matters. The board consists of the local members. Perhaps that provides the organization to review the performance time to time. The Secretary of the board is highly experienced and groomed many young professionals in the district.

The staff and board understand the broad focus of the mission and vision and are well articulated. Programme planning and implementation reflects the vision of the organization. SAMIDA implements several community development programs, which are centered on the savings and credit programme of the organization. This provides them a platform. Planning takes place in a participatory manner. All the staff members involve in the planning process and Secretary provides required guidance during the planning meetings. The area doesn’t confine to particular sections it spreads it activities to various vulnerable communities among - children, women and physically and mentally challenged communities mainly as a response to their situations. People especially - socially, economically backward and other vulnerable groups like tribes; women, children, minorities etc. are not in a position to un-reach their rights and entitlements even after 60 years of Independence in India. Most of these people are economically poor and still exists below poverty line. Comparatively the socio-economic conditions were declining in the target area in day by day. The schedule casts, schedule tribes and other backward class of the population of the children and women are discriminated in many ways and exploited.

The existing resources - social, human, economic and natural are exploited. Enhancing the quality of life of poor in urban, rural and tribal contexts is very important. Poor are the most hit populations in village, especially the women and children are the worst effected due to the changing climatic and economic situations. A special attention is required to safeguard/protect the women and children from the deleterious effects of the changing scenarios. GDPs of the nations are increasing due to the globalization phenomenon, but the fruits of the economic developments are not reached to the poor. The Government is the biggest donor, has the major responsibility to take care of the welfare of the poor in the country. Due to red-tapism and bureaucracy coupled with inefficacy in the implementation of existing programmes, poor are not able to access the government support. Looking at the above scenario, SAMIDA was initiated by likeminded professionals from different walks of life to bring in change in the attitudes of governments, to provide required direct and indirect support to the vulnerable communities in rural, urban and tribal contexts. We thrive for the just, equity and equality for the vulnerable section of the communities.