GMR Varalakshmi Foundation started its development activities in the villages surrounding the Vemagiri Power Generation Limited located in Vemagiri, Rajahmundary in November 2005. The activities were started with the launch of a Mobile Medicare Unit in association with HelpAge India and an ambulance to cater during emergencies.

Initiatives in and around Vemagiri

Education:
GMRVF works in collaboration with the local educational authorities towards improving the quality of education in government schools. The Foundation has appointed Vidya Volunteers (VVs) in Vemagiri, Kadiam and Burri Lanka primary schools, where the teacher-student ratio is poor. The Vidya Volunteers are drawn from the locality itself and are put through a rigorous training programme conducted by the Foundation. The training programme aims to train and equip the volunteers to teach the students and community members effectively. They work closely with the community to re-induct dropouts into the school, create awareness on the importance of education among the parents etc.. The consistent efforts of the VVs have resulted in the re-induction of more than 15 dropouts into the school in the last one year.

The Foundation also promotes innovative and joyful education by providing teaching-learning materials to government schools; facilitating teacher training, etc.

In November 2006, the Foundation reached relief to the flood-affected Primary School in Baduguvani Lanka village by providing tables, chairs, note books and pencils to all the students.

Bala Badis:
The Foundation is running three Bala Badis (pre-schools) in Vemagiri, Kadiam and Kadiyapu Lanka villages. At present 72 children are attending these centers which impart not only joyful learning but also work on instilling good habits in them. The children are also served a nutritious snack every day. The concerted efforts with the children in the age group of 3-5 years helps in school-preparedness while also motivating the parents to involve themselves in their child’s learning process.

Supporting Meritorious Students:
The Foundation supports children to hone and develop their talents in various fields like essay writing, singing etc. The Foundation extends help by way of providing educational kits on special occasions like Children’s Day and Republic Day.

Health:
GMRVF, in collaboration with HelpAge India, is running a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) which caters to over 11 village Panchayats of Kadiam Mandal. This Unit operates with the mandate of delivering healthcare at the doorstep of the aged. The MMU visits each village every week and provides free check-ups and medicines to the aged patients in the 60+age group. Around 3000 people benefit from these services every month.

Since 2005, 17 general and specific medical camps have been conducted in Kadiam Mandal. Nearly 2900 patients have benefited from these camps.

The Foundation also runs an ambulance to cater to emergencies. The facility reaches timely medical aid to patients often making a difference in life and death situations. .The ambulance at Vemagiri Power Generation Limited, attends to 20-25 calls per month. It has attended 360 emergency cases such as accidents, delivery cases etc.

Hygiene and Sanitation:

Based on the request of the community at Muthyalamma Pet SC Colony, Vemagiri Panchayat has entrusted the old public toilet land to GMRVF for construction and development of Suvidha Public Toilet. The Foundation in collaboration with the community, is in the process of constructing the toilet complex.

GMRVF also emphasises on health education with special focus on health, hygiene and sanitation. It therefore educates the community on the importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene as a means of preventing disease and illness.