GIVING disabled children their right to care and education has been a mammoth challenge across the country, even in urban areas. But when it comes to rural India, the problem becomes even more significant, leaving children with a bleak future. Veerababu Rayavarapu knows this pain well. Disabled himself and pained by apathy, he embarked on this journey to stand up for children with disabilities when no one stood by him. Stricken by polio at the age of two, Veerababu battled not just financial hardships but stigma too.
Yet, he soldiered on and his undying will led him not only to overcome personal adversity but to change thousands of lives. In 2005, he founded Santhivardhana Ministries, in Pulimeru and Annavaram. Santhivardhana Ministries, has since played a pivotal role in the lives of hundreds of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and their families too.
From adversity to hope
Veerababu Rayavarapu’s life began in the small village of Pulimeru, where he contracted polio as a toddler, affecting both his legs. Financial constraints meant only one leg received treatment, severely limiting his mobility during his formative years. Growing up in a region plagued by poverty and inadequate infrastructure, Veerababu faced not only physical challenges but also the weight of societal stigma that often marginalises people with disabilities. Despite these obstacles, he completed his education and built a career as a tax consultant, achieving financial stability through sheer determination. However, Veerababu’s ambitions extended far beyond personal success. Inspired by his own struggles and the lack of support for disabled children in his community, he, along with his wife, invested their entire savings to establish Santhivardhana Ministries in 2005. What began as a modest initiative in Pulimeru has since expanded to Annavaram, providing education, therapy, and vocational training to over 150 children with physical and intellectual disabilities. Santhivardhana Ministries was born out of a deep understanding of the systemic barriers faced by PwDs in rural India.
Veerababu’s vision was not just to provide immediate relief but to create a sustainable model that empowers children and their communities. The organisation’s special residential schools offer a safe, stigma-free environment where children receive holistic care, including academic education, physiotherapy, and psychosocial support. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term empowerment, Santhivardhana has become a lifeline for children who might otherwise face neglect or abandonment due to the stigma surrounding disability.
Giving children with disabilities the care they deserve
Santhivardhana Ministries operates two campuses in Pulimeru and Annavaram, serving 150–200 children with physical and cognitive impairments. These regions, located near Rajahmundry in East Godavari, are home to several marginalised communities like the Mala and Madiga, who face geographic isolation, poverty, and limited access to infrastructure.
Veerababu says that parents feel they are killing their own children owing to lack of care. “They blame themselves. My heart breaks when I see so many parents of disabled kids feeling helpless”, He says.
The organisation’s core initiatives are designed to address these challenges comprehensively. Its special residential schools provide not only academic education but also physiotherapy, speech therapy, and nutritious meals, ensuring that children’s physical and emotional needs are met. Additionally, vocational training programs in computer literacy, tailoring, and embroidery have empowered hundreds of youth and women, with notable successes including 12 participants securing jobs through computer training and 18 others receiving referrals for advanced tailoring courses. These programs are particularly impactful in a region where employment opportunities for PwDs are scarce, and societal attitudes often prioritise sympathy over empowerment.
A standout achievement is the distribution of ₹10 lakh worth of Teaching-Learning Material (TLM) kits under the ADIP scheme, providing approximately 92 kits valued at ₹10,000 each to enhance educational access. The organisation’s early intervention center in Bendapudi further emphasizes preventive care, targeting developmental challenges in young children to mitigate long-term disabilities. By integrating education, health, and skill-building,
Turning apathy into empathy
The challenges that children with disabilities in rural India face is daunting to say the least. From inaccessible infrastructure to deep-rooted societal stigma and lack of resources, everything makes life debilitating . Employment disparities are stark. Societal attitudes exacerbate these challenges, with families sometimes hiding or abandoning disabled children due to stigma or economic pressures. Veerababu emphasises the need for empathy over pity.
“If there was no Santhivardhana, the life of the disabled in my region would have been very difficult. It was established so that the disabled can be taken care of”, Veerababu says.
The lack of access to essential aids like wheelchairs, braille materials, and hearing devices is a huge problem. Veerababu and his NGO rely on donations to meet these needs but unfortunately funds are inconsistent leaving a huge gap.
Santhivardhana’s efforts to provide physiotherapy and specialized care are hampered by funding shortages.
A call for urgent support
The efforts that Veerababu and Santhivardhana Ministries have been putting to fundamentally transform lives is evident in its success stories. Devi Kumari became a government officer, thanks to the education and care she received at Santhivardhana. Five other beneficiaries also secured government jobs and countless others are today placed in the corporate world. This stands as a remarkable achievement in a context where employment for PwDs is rare. Despite these achievements, Santhivardhana faces ongoing challenges that require urgent support. Funding remains a critical bottleneck, with long-term expenses for therapies, staff salaries, and infrastructure exceeding the funds Veerababu has. “Without financial support, it will be very difficult for our organisation to develop and help the disabled. If you can help us, we can proudly take Santhivardhana forward and make it a national-level organisation that helps disabled children”, Veerbabu stresses.
By standing with Veerababu Rayavarapu & his mission, you can help build a more inclusive, just & equitable society. Click the link to support Veerbabu and his NGO, Santhivardhana Ministries.
Choosing to tread the proverbial road less travelled, Ramon embarked upon a career in journalism and spent over 8 years working for various media organisations. A deeper calling to create a sustainable impact in the lives of the less fortunate compelled him to join the social sector. Ramon is a minimalist at heart and an explorer in spirit.
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