Rural Development Foundation

The Rural Development Foundation (RDF) is a non-profit organization that began as a family initiative. As far back as 1991, members of the Errabelli f Read moreamily discussed the idea of giving something back to their village of Kalleda. They felt a need to repay their debt to the land that had provided their family with wealth over several generations. Members of the Errabelli family recognized that their success in life were largely due to their access to quality education. Thus in 1996, they established the first RDF school in the estate building that had housed the family. At its inception, RDF was an organization involved in not only educating the children of the village, but also improving overall development of the people and welfare of the village with special reference to public amenities, healthcare and other facilities. RDF’s Memorandum of Association was modified in 2010 to focus on educational activities, to provide quality education and to develop socially conscious leaders. As an organization, it has also expanded to other areas of Telangana. There are now four RDF schools and one junior college spread across two districts. The vision is to promote education as a vehicle for rural development. Our mission is to make a lifelong difference to the lives of rural underprivileged girls and boys through holistic education. Our goal is to educate, engage and empower rural girls and boys. RDF schools strive to create India’s future leaders, people who not only respect their rich, cultural heritage but are also ready to lead their country into the future. Our constant endeavor includes our sincere attempt to inculcate civic sense and social responsibility into young minds. As an educational organization, RDF encourages students to think beyond textbooks. The teachers promote social awareness by providing a forum for open discussion and debate on current issues like dowry, pollution, gender discrimination and other social issues. RDF alumni pay visits to their alma mater and teach the present generation of students, a way of giving back to their schools. Additionally, teachers emphasize the importance of preserving and respecting one’s roots and environment through activities like traditional dance, folklore, handicrafts, organic gardening and cleaning. This has encouraged students to be proud of what they are. They believe in the dignity of labour and are happy with their identity. We at RDF hope our students and alumni will be in touch and continue to be proud of their roots. As part of our larger vision to extend education to a larger community, we have tied up with Tech Mahindra Foundation in 2013 and adopted two government schools in Bahdoorpally. RDF staff train and guide teachers to embody our values of play-learning, the importance of creativity and sports. Both schools have been awarded as the best schools in the district for the year 2016. RDF students have benefitted from our commitment to give access to sports an integral part of our curriculum. Many children have realized their inner potential through the opportunities and training provided and have participated in international and national competitions. Pranitha, an RDF alumni represented India in archery at the Olympics in Beijing 2012. Lavanya and Sharadha also represented our country in the World Police Meet in USA and bagged two gold and one silver.

Vision: To promote education as a vehicle for rural development

Mission: To make a lifelong difference to the lives of rural underprivileged girls and boys through holistic education

Beginning with a humble enrollment of 80 students in school, the number of children attending RDF schools has increased to 2340 in 4 schools & junior college, as more villagers enroll their children in our schools.
There is a tremendous improvement in student’s strength in all RDF schools after pandemic situations.
RDF’s schools are grooming students for leadership roles: those who master concepts quickly are given opportunities to be student teachers. Students move up the ‘basic knowledge and understanding’ to apply, analyze, evaluate and create. Examples include Science experiments, creative arts projects and peer and teacher evaluations.
Our students are performing well in academics and the average education percentage of our schools is 80%. Last year in the 10th class board exams our students performed well and got 98%. One of our students got 10/10 GPA.

Digital Classes: New Smart TVs were installed in the schools. These are serving as an excellent audio visual aid and are helping techers build a richer resource library of teaching-learning materials. To give more content to students we installed smart TVs in primary schools and projectors in high schools.
Achievements in Science:
Chekhumukhi Science Talent Test:
The Chekumuki Talent Test is administered by Jana Vignana Vedika, a voluntary Science organization, at the School, Mandal, District & State levels, to inculcate scientific temper amongst the students.
Science Seminar: This year our students participated in science seminars conducted by sciece department of Teangana on Sustainable development.
Science Congress:One of our student B.Sathwika from Matendla school participated in state level science congress on Organic waste management.
INSPIRE Award: INSPIRE is a Government competition to promote scientific awareness in students & RDF children have been faring very well over the years. This year also our student Mekari Sandeep from Rollakal school selected for the award for 2022-23.

YES Program: Youth Exchange Study Program: Like every year this year also seven students from RDF applied for the exchange program. From those, two students Nithin and Siddartha have attended the panel interview in that Nithin selected and he will go to the US next year.
Midday Meals:
RDF believes that every student requires a healthy body to have a healthy mind. Every day, schools provide a nutritious and sumptuous mid-day meal which comprises rice, dahl (lentils) and one vegetable curry. Students may have as many servings as they like. We also provide eggs or bananas weekly. The meal environment is also very important to RDF. Staff and older students take turns serving and ensuring that food is not being wasted. Everyone, from senior teachers to nursery students, eats together and starts the meal with a Sanskrit chant to give thanks.
Sports:
Sports activities and participation in various events started and continued to be in full swing once schools started after the pandemic. RDF students performed well in different sports and games.
Our Alumni B.Nikhil got ILCILCA Asian open championship Pattaya Thailand, Open category : Bronze,
Asain country category : Silver in Sailing
Our students participated in District level athletics competitions and selected to state level
Aravind Archery student got Silver medal in Junior National Competitions in Goa.
S. Akhil got Bronze medal in All India University Games in Punjab
Training Programs:
RDF focuses intensively on teacher and student training. Teachers routinely undergo training in specific subjects or general capacity building programs. Education coordinators provide training and observe teachers closely in order to determine the efficacy of training initiatives as well as to provide constant feedback on teaching-learning practices. Students undergo English and Communication skills training periodically.
Model Elections:
A good education system should go beyond classroom academics and incorporate learning and understanding values and behavior which lead to good citizenship. RDF’s Social Awareness Program was conceptualized with this aim in mind & RDF Schools conducted ‘Model Elections’ to understand democracy, electoral processes and voting. Students of Classes 3rd-10 participated in the elections to elect the Head Boy and Head Girl. The School Headmaster acted as Chief Election Commissioner. A detailed process modeling actual elections was created. Through this process, students learnt the value of their vote, they deliberated on qualities of a right leader, they understood what makes a good leader and develop healthy competition – all life skills essential in the 21st century. completion of the election the results announced after three days. The process accentuates RDF’s core values of Educate, Engage and Empower!
Celebrations:
RDF Schools are always encouraging students to celebrate all national and local festivals in order to understand their importance and be aware of our tradition and culture. Every year RDF schools celebrate Independence Day, Republic Day, National sports, Math, Science days, Childrens’ day, Vinayaka Chavithi, Krisnashtami etc.
Saturday Activities:
Along with the above, RDF believes that every student has a skill, so we conduct every Saturday few activities to all the children, they are debates, quizzes, mock assemblies to encourage & enhance the unique skills that the students might possess. Activities like arts and crafts, photography, vegetable farming are also conducted. Cultural performances are celebrated with the school community and villagers.
Health Camps:
The health of our children is of prime importance. The local RDF teams coordinate with health professionals in their area to organize health camps. Medicines for common ailments are also distributed for free at these camps. 2 doctors from Hyderabad regularly visiting our schools and they are interacting with students about their health issues.

So far, about 7000 children and their families have been positively influenced by the quality work and achievement of RDF. Over 5000 alumni have gone on to higher education to be a source of financial support to their families. Our alumni have been in consistent touch with their respective schools to give back to the schools and the village-- a trend which RDF hopes to continue.