Anekal Rehabilitation Education And Development (READ) Centre was started in 1984 by a group of young socially committed individuals who had experience in working among the poor and the marginalized communities in urban and rural areas of south India. It is registered under the charitable society act and has a governing body that governs the legal structure of the oragnisation. The governing body consists of seven members and general body has eleven members. It meets at regular intervals to assess and reequip organizational functions as and when needed. It meets all legal obligations through its registration of Karnataka Societies Act 1960, 12 A Form and 80G as well as under FCRA Act. First It aimed at rehabilitating the post leprosy families and individuals and disabled people from the urban sector it changed its approaches and strategies within three years to concentrate in rural health and education. READ Centre moved to villages where there was need a for health and primary education. It started to work with communities where there were no basic amenities and accessibilities for primary health and education. Mean while it also trained village health attendants and barefoot doctors who were called as paramedicals who could meet the emergencies in rural sector, where there is no doctor.
READ centre has completed 25 years in working with the poor of south India. The first donor support came from Oxfam India to promote health and local community development. Now READ centre works in 900 villages in south India and have formed 900 rural women’s Self help groups(SHGs) with a membership of 18000 women.
To motivate, educate and organize the community for participatory development activities.
To help the community to identify and start locally adapted viable community business that has wider scope in enhancing the poor to become economically better.
To improve the education of Girl Children and less privileged children in rural and urban sectors that will help them to build their strong future.
To train and equip the working constituency in leadership qualities, local good governance and development.
To work for the promotion and sustainability of safe drinking water, good sanitation and personal hygiene.
To assist regional and national governments in delivering quality support and promoting community based development activities.
To facilitate process in safeguarding natural resources, Human Rights and mobilize public support for the development of all concerned.
To promote local, regional, national and international development education and co-operation among NGOs and other pro-development institutions.
