Nandyal lies within the drought prone Kurnool district. Industrial development in the area is very weakand houses 73 disadvantaged rural villages. Each village has between 80-100 families with a total population in of 300 to 400 people. The literacy rate for these 73 villages around Nandyal is less than 15%. Almost half of all workers in the area are employed as low paid seasonal agricultural labourers. The low daily wages and the seasonal nature of the work has resulted in many families struggling to meet their daily food needs and the cost of educating their children.

Youth from the villages are involved in the vocational training programs such as carpentry, masonry, brick making and electrics. With these skills the youth are able to engage in stable employment. Additionally young girls, as well as older disadvantaged women are involved in learning skills to help them start small businesses. The project also encourages the women to form self help groups to implement a small loans system. With their loans the women are able establish roadside stalls to sell their goods.

To download a project information sheet please click here.