Vaidus – on the path to development!

The Vaidu community – a nomadic tribe – has been traditionally associated with collecting medicinal herbs and plants to treat the populace. Even today, you will spot members of this clan on streets selling herbal concoctions. A few years back, they realised from one of their own – Durga Gudilu – that their way of life isn't sustainable And thus began their journey to salvation!The first girl from their Jogeshwari-based faction to be educated, Durga soon realised that the ills that plague her clan will probably set them on the path to doom. And it is with this objective that Durga and her team of volunteers have started a centre in their precinct to work with women and youth of the community."We used to have a Balvadi within the community, where my friends and I studied and played. However, this was shut by the Panchayat when they were still powerful. Today, the members of my community have realised that education and information is important for all of us," says Durga speaking about the centre.Every Saturday, a group of women congregate at the centre to talk about varied issues such as importance of good health and hygiene, tackling abuse at home or outside, importance of education of themselves and their children, and so on. The centre has also now drawn the youth of the community into its fold by conducting evening and night classes for those who have had to forego education due to several reasons.Tai Shivarlu, a 56-year old member who is actively involved in enrolling women in this initiative says with a glint in her eye, "We are thrilled that such an initiative has been started for us – the women of the community. We would want more people to come forward and benefit from these efforts."