You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. - Kahlil Gibran
More than anything else, it is committed people who devote time and energy, that are critically needed to address challenges of the society. As AID expanded to various US cities in the late 1990's, some of its volunteers quit their regular jobs in the USA and began to focus their full attention on India's challenges by working directly with marginalize communities. Highly educated NRIs inspired by AID to get directly involved in rural and sustainable development add a valuable dimension to the existing pool of excellent social activists of India . In AID, their work has provided new insights, opened up new directions and helped forge effective collaborations thereby directing AID’s energies to some of the most pressing grassroots issues.
We proudly call them our Jeevansaathis, implying lifelong commitment to the cause. The Jeevansaathi program began in 1998 as Dr. Balaji Sampath and Dr. Ravi Kuchimanchi moved to India to work on health, education, human rights, alternative energy and sustainable development. Over the years, more volunteers like Aravinda Pillalamarri, Rachna Dhingra, Prof. Ravishankar Arunachalam, Kamayani Swamy and Madhulika Yelamanchi have expanded the ranks, adding diversity to the efforts.
As expected, the Jeevansaathis have played diverse roles such as working in a particular locality focusing on local issues, developing state-wide programs, providing reports and recommendations about AID programs, and strengthening AID-US and its volunteers. AID Jeevansaathis are directly involved in work in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. Programs launched there often expand to other states as well. In addition, the visits of Jeevansaathis to the US have played a valuable role by keeping the AID-US volunteer base connected to the efforts in India and giving impetus to the work in the US .
AID continues to encourage its volunteers who feel a calling to devote themselves to social causes. As Associate Jeevansaathis they can commit 1-2 years of their time and explore working on issues of importance to AID’s mission, based on their interest and motivation. Longer term commitment as Jeevansaathis can evolve through such collaboration. Interested volunteers are encouraged to contact their chapter or Executive Board members.
The program provides compensation for the services provided by the Jeevansaathis which currently ranges up to $4800 per year for Associate Jeevansaathis and up to $7200 per year for Jeevansaathis. There is also provision for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred on health insurance and care as well as a per diem allowance of $250 per month while visiting AID in the US . The past 10 years of experience with the program has shown that the presence of Jeevansaathis has enormously strengthened AID both in India and the US , and has positively transformed our role in efforts for sustainable development and social justice.
Individual donations from many volunteers and donors have supported this program. To donate to the Jeevansaathi Fund, click here
To learn more about our Jeevansaathis, click on the list alongside.