Gram Vikas

Joe Madiath went to the state of Orissa, India, in 1971 to help communities ravaged by a cyclone and stayed on to help some of the poorest villages there. He founded Gram Vikas in 1979 to provide renewable energy and has transitioned its focus to encompass a holistic, community-based model of development. He believes every home must have running water and sanitation before villagers will collectively seek a better quality of life through education, job training, women's rights and healthy practices. This model has been implemented in 361 villages, reaching nearly 27,000 households. With Skoll support, Gram Vikas plans to bring water and sanitation to 100,000 families by 2010.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• gram
• vikas
• skoll
• foundation
• uncommon
• heroes
• joe
• madiath
• social
• entrepreneur